Polokwane

UPDATE 12/05/2011 FROM POLOKWANE

We began our journey by visiting Musina Primary school where we addressed about 580 children. Their response was very positive and they walked with us all the way to the N1 screaming “save the rhino”, at the top of their lungs! Sboniso took the first shift and did 25 km. I did the second shift and did 20.4 km. We over nighted at a truck stop called the Elephant Inn!

The next morning Sboniso took the first shift again and walked up until the first of the H.F. Verwoerd tunnels (24.5 km). I then took over and hauled over the mountains ( reminded me of Ithala Game Reserve! ). We arrived in Louis Trichard and were welcomed by Dirk Meissenheimer of Mount Fuji Motors, who arranged accommodation at Clouds end caravan park (A big thank you to the management).

The next day we journeyed down to Musina and visited Soutpansberg primary school( 696 children). We gave a powerpoint presentation and both the children and educators were amazed to hear what is happening to our Rhino’s.

Thereafter we went to Louis Trichard junior school (970 children ). These wonderful children had made all shapes and sizes of posers and cut outs of Rhino!!! They walked around the block shouting “save the rhino”, at the top of their little lungs!! Last but not least we went to Ridgeway independent school, which is an environmental school( 140 children). A beautiful school with wonderful educators too!! We then went to the Zoutpansgurger newspaper office to do emails etc.( a big thank you to them too).

This morning at 07h00 we left Mount Fuji dealership and walked the first 1 km with a few children from Ridgeway independent school, where after I walked for 25 km. Sboniso did 25 too and ended up about 1.5 km past the Tropic of Capricorn.We then retraced our steps in our nice new Nissan bakkie (truck) to Lalapanzi lodge where we were sponsored a campsite and a delicious meal.

We hit the road again at 06h30 and arrived in Polokwane at around 15h30. We were met by Jason Delport from Emcare who will be hosting us for the next two days.

Tomorrow, Spoon and I will be visiting the Jacaranda stereo offices to meet them in person. We will also be seeing Irene Huyshamen from the Green Wall of Africa and S.E.E. Network who has been invaluable in helping us secure sponsorship. Also coming is Robin Michael Cook who has been very helpful in updating facebook.

After this we will be walking into Polokwane escorted by S.A.P.S. Horse unit amongst other supporters. We will join up with Staff from Protrack Hoedspruit and will be spreading the word about Rhino poaching at The Mall of the North.

17 May

These are some of the photo’s taken today at Eugene N Marias Primary School. We had three different schools under one pavillion. Wonderboom Kleuter Skool, Euphoria Private School, and Eugene Marais. The event was shared with singer and actress Cole Van Dais, who sang a “rhino song” for the kids, and shortly after our speech and Cole’s song, there was a dog show. We also had 50/50 out there documenting the event. We’ve now done 8 schools in total since we started. That’s about 3800 kids. I apologise for being so brief but things have become a little busy with limited internet time.

Best regards,

Rights For Rhinos

Paul and Spoon also spoke to the kids at Mitchell House yesterday morning. This school has an eco status and is one of the few schools nationwide to have this. http://www.mitchellhouse.co.za/