SOUTH Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, and other cranes are under threat because of habitat loss, poisonings
and powerline collisions. If these birds have a future it will be thanks to men like Sunday Tribune Game Changer Thabo Madlala.
Madlala was among 12 people recognised for their work in making this world a better place, both for nature and for people, at the first Amaqhawe
Awards presented by the Sunday Tribune in association with the Human Elephant Foundation and Roving Reporters on Tuesday.
“Our Amaqhawe Awards acknowledge people doing great work in our communities, promoting awareness of critical environmental issues that affect us all,” said Sunday Tribune editor Mazwi Xaba.
“It is these sometimes small and sometimes big efforts which collectively bring about an attitude shift for the good of us all,” added Human Elephant Foundation CEO John Charter in awarding trophies to the Sunday Tribune’s first Game Changers.
They included Shirley Scheiffer, an 82-year-old North Beach pensioner, who has a practical and energetic approach to caring for the environment. She cleans up the streets around the Eden
Roc retirement complex and Carpendale Park.
In support of the introduction of the Amaqhawe Awards, Gabriel Sithole, a top wildlife photographer and conservationist, and brand ambassador for the Ford Wildlife Foundation, pesented award-winning quality photographs to five Game Changers of his choice.
“In so doing, Gabriel has created a platform for other individuals, organisations, sponsors and advertisers to present prizes to deserving Game Changers at the next quarterly Amaqhawe Awards,
”said convener,” Fred Kockott, the founding director of Roving Reporters.
Kockott also paid tribute to organisations and corporates that support the work of the Sunday Tribune’s Game Changers.
“Partnerships are essential in tackling the challenges we face in protecting the world’s natural resources,” he said.
The five Game Changers who received mounted photographs from Sithole were Thabo Madlala, Ayanda Lipheyana, Samson Phakathi, Cherise Acker-Cooper and Keith Cooper. – Bukeka Silekwa
- Bukeka Silekwa is a Rosebank journalism graduate taking part in a Roving Reporters environmental journalism training programme supported by the Human Elephant Foundation and the Sunday Tribune.
