News

South African National Parks (SANParks) will be bestowing awards on several individuals and organisations at the Annual Kudu Awards ceremony to held at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand on 28 November 2024.

This premier event is dedicated to recognising internal and external stakeholders that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability, improving livelihoods, and achieving real change in South Africa’s national parks.

The awards reward dedicated scientists, conservationists, and the public for their efforts to tackle and create awareness of conservation issues such as anti-poaching and climate change.  As part of this award function, various stakeholders are honored and these include media houses, media practitioners, non-governmental organisations, schools, communities, corporates, and individuals.

The categories of the awards include:

• Corporate,
• Non-Governmental Organisations
• Media Contribution to Conservation and Eco-Tourism
• Community Contribution to Conservation,
• Environmental Education,
• Individual Contribution to Conservation,
• Professional Stakeholders
• Associated Partners,
• Women in Conservation,
• Youth in Conservation,

This year’s Kudu Awards are sponsored by First National Bank and TotalEnergies. The awards will be screened live on the YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@sanparks) from 18:30 on 28 November 2024.

ADDENDUM

The finalists who will be vying for the coveted Kudu Award include: –

• In the Media Contribution to Conservation and Eco-Tourism Award under the Best Journalist category, the nominees are Selomina Phekelela from Media24, Emelda Tintswalo Shipalana (Letaba Herald), Karabo Siyoko (SABC), Yusuf Abramjee (Crime Watch), Lereko Motseko (SABC), Silindelo Masikane (eNCA), Tumelo Machogo (SABC), Ulrich Hendriks (SABC News), Theodore Mashele (eNCA) and Jolynn Minnaar (Wild Africa). For the Best Publication category, the nominations are Kruger Magazine, Rewilding Southern Africa and Greening Afrika (Media Torque and Events).
• The Innovation Award nominees are Indalo Inclusive and Tshireletso Mokate (Camping RetrEats). The Women in Conservation Award nominees are Candice Pierce (Timbavati Foundation), Annlin Mantshebi Matabane (Reach Archaeology Consulting (Pty) Ltd), Joslin Bauer (Earthlings), Kerri Wolter (Vulpro), Nikki Bolton (One Land Love It), Vivian Phetla (Indalo Inclusive) and Kelly Thomson (Private). The Youth in Conservation Award nominees are Khonaye Gcaza (Waste Management Education project – Eco-Club), Laura Bolton (One Land Love It), and Rifumo Mathebula (Wild Shots Outreach).
• The Professional Stakeholders Award nominees are Chandre Rhoda (City of Cape Town Municipality) and The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa. The Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award nominees are Mdluli Safari Lodge, Ndindani Lala Palm Project, and Nedbank.
• In the Non-Governmental Organisation Award category, the nominees are Natures Valley Trust, Friends of Franklin, African Conservation Trust, Nature Connect, One Land Love It, and Shark Spotters.
• The Associated Partner Award nominees are the African Otter Trail Run, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, and the Timbavati Foundation.
• The Environmental Education Award nominees are Betty Mantibane Gololo (Tlhoafalo Primary School), Dr Fortunate Phaka (North-West University), Hlengiwe Mthembu (Timele greening project), Jaco Fourie (Cape Leopard Trust), Johan (JC) Strauss (Eco Ranger), Kelly Thomson (Private), Kelly Williams (The Retrade Project), Leonard Marimbe (North West Department of Basic Education), Lewyn Kgontse Maefala (Bush Babies), Lindela Mjenxane (Beyond Expectation Environmental Project), Madavhila Primary school Matshete (Pafuri), Maribishi Simon Marotola (North West Department of Education), Natures Valley Trust (Tsitsikamma Section), Ndlavela Primary School (Nkomazi), Nikki Bolton (One Land Love It), Ninakhulu Primary School (Phalaborwa), Othusitse P Mopedi (Tlhoafalo Primary School), Parks Leshaba (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Pensele Primary School (Mkhuhlu), Pfunani Primary School (Giyani Municipality), Sustainable Schools (Nature Connect), Tracker Academy (Renias Mhlongo and Alex van den Heever) and Tumelo Machogo (SABC News).
• Last but not least, the Individual Contribution to Conservation Award nominees are Bishop Ngobeli (Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo), Joslin Bauer (Earthlings), Mashudu Victor Phalanndwa (City of Cape Town) and Rest Kanju (Indalo Inclusive).

ENDS