‘Let us Fight for our Rhinos’

IT was towards the end of 2011 that Sizwe Zakwe, founder of the eSikhaleni Arts and Culture initiative, first saw the carcass of a poached rhino.

At the time Zakwe was head of a Department of Arts and Culture project, Lovelife, and was driving to Nongoma when he happened upon the haunting scene of slaughter for profit.

‘At the time I believed rhino poaching had nothing to do with me,’ he said. ‘Many of our people still think this way.’

Zakwe was deeply moved by his horrifying experience, and despite being offered another position within the department, he had made up his mind and started a number of programmes, one of them being a theatre production with the aim of educating people about the effects of rhino poaching on the tourism industry and in turn, their lives and jobs.

‘I did extensive research and found that rhino poachers were usually young African males between the ages of 18 and 35,’ he said.

‘They are members of rural communities neighbouring game reserves. They have no specialized skills, rendering them unemployed and vulnerable to the temptations of poaching.’

His research led him to anti-rhino poaching campaigns in the province, and he discovered that many used pamphlets written in English when visiting communities where they congregated.

‘The campaigners are doing good work, but I have realised some of these individuals who turn out to be poachers cannot read or do not understand English.’

A youthful approach
With a goal in mind to communicate the importance of sustainable wildlife for the local tourism industry, especially rhinos, in a way that would be understood by the communities who live in closest proximity to the game reserves, the theatre piece Masilwele oBhenhane Bethu (Let us fight for our rhinos), was born.

‘The performance tours use anything as the stage to lay out this story in a way that the youth will understand,’ said Sizwe.

‘It is also portrayed in Zulu, but a slang Zulu used by the youth.

‘Essentially this is a theatre piece that can be presented anywhere, not only where there is an existing anti-poaching campaign running.’

This year is the third that this project will tour to rural schools to tell the story of our rhinos, but it is a special year for Zakwe and his dedicated team.

‘This year the eSikhaleni Arts and Culture Initiative, will be partnering with the uMkhuze Game Reserve to provide a strong motivation for the youth to get involved.

’The production will tour to 10 schools in the uMkhanyakude District and perform for the pupils.

‘Thereafter a facilitator will be assigned at each school to work with the arts and culture teacher.

‘They will assist the pupils to come up with an anti-rhino poaching play that will be performed at a festival at the end of September,’ said Zakwe.

‘The pupils who are judged to have put on the best production will win some fantastic prizes, among others a two-day stay at the uMkhuze Game Reserve, including tours and educational talks on nature and wildlife conservation, as well as career opportunities in conservation.’

‘We must eradicate ignorance surrounding rhino poaching, and we are trying to do that by teaching communities about the cruel way our priceless and majestic animals are hunted and killed for profit.’

If you want to get involved or wish to have the play presented at your school, contact Zakwe on 082 742 3916.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer