YENZA ON THE MOVE

The decoration of Yenza - a rhino to be part of the exciting awareness-creating Rhino Parade, is one of the many innovative, inspiring projects currently being driven by the recently invigorated eThekwini Community Foundation (eCF).

The eCF is a proactive, results-driven, forward-thinking PBO embedded in eThekwini Municipality whose mission is interfacing people – projects – planet.

The Rhino Parade is an innovative campaign pioneered by the Wildlands Conservation Trust, based on the internationally renowned Cow Parade concept, which is aimed at profiling the plight of South Africa’s Rhino whilst raising funds to support Wildlands’ rhino conservation efforts. The Wildlands Conservation Trust is an active, strategic partner of the eCF.

The Rhino Parade will take place on September 22 on Durban’s beachfront.

The eThekwini Municipality is adding a unique rhino to the Durban parade. Fondly named “Yenza” (isiZulu for a term similar to “just do it”), she has been decorated in the KZNSA Gallery garden.

Yenza is three-quarter life-size female rhino – measuring 2.5m long by 1.4m high by 1m wide, she is totally environmentally, being made from a water-based resin. The rhino was originated by Peter Hall, and then cast following a mould-making process by Kim Goodwin at the respected Goodwin Foundry in Lidgetton.

She has just been moved to her new home – the lobby at the Durban Art Gallery.

The crafters have been working in the KZNSA gallery garden to give Yenza an extreme make-over. Artists working with recycled waste, who are deeply engaged in uplifting the skills of community-based crafters and who are absolutely passionate about saving the rhino population, will work with local craft collectives to put on our Rhino’s finery.

The Rhino poaching pressure has continued to build. As of June 12, some 245 rhino have been poached in South Africa. The Wildlands’ response to this onslaught is structured around three complementary strategies, that are funded through campaigns such as the Rhino Parade: supporting the establishment of a network of NGO’s working together to stop the poaching (Project Rhino KZN www.projectrhinokzn.org); Project Rhino Tracker - Piloting innovative GSM based tracking technology and Project Rhino Aerial Support – Complimentary helicopter surveillance.

For more information, contact Kathryn Kure at 031 311 2044 or 083 252 0992 or email: kureks@durban.gov.za.