(Dr Andrew Venter with Sibusiso Vilane and his rhino. Pic
by Adi Weerheim)
On June 23, King
Shaka International Airport saw the unveiling of the 15th rhino sculpture in
the Rhino Parade campaign. The Wildland’s Rhino Parade is an innovative fundraising
campaign based on the internationally renowned Cow Parade concept. The campaign
seeks to raise funding for, and increase awareness around, the war on rhino
poaching by getting truly great South Africans to adopt and help design a
three-quarter-life size black rhino sculpture.
The sculpture was
that of inspirational mountaineer, expedition guide and motivational speaker,
Sibusiso Vilane. In 2005, he became the first black person to summit Mount
Everest from both sides. He then embarked on the Seven Summits Quest, which
involves climbing the highest mountain on each continent, and was also the
first black person to achieve this. Since his first ascent of Kilimanjaro in
1999, Sibusiso has summited that mountain 14 times, 12 of which have been
guiding trips. Vilane has also run and completed four Comrades Marathons. He is
truly inspirational.
“Sibusiso is a
truly inspirational chap,” said Elizabeth-Ann Ross who designed his rhino
sculpture. “His open arms and broad smile tell you that he is a giver and wants
the best for all who surround him. He has come from a very humble background
and made a name for himself; not because he wanted to be rich and famous, but
so that he could change the lives of others for the better. The climbing rope
made into traditional-type jewellery on the sculpture, symbolises the
protection of the horn, as it protects mountaineers, like Sibusiso, from falling
on treacherous mountains.”
Wildlands
Conservation Trust (the custodians of the Rhino Parade campaign) CEO, Dr Andrew
Venter, was blown away by the contribution made by Vilane, as well as ACSA to
the Trust’s conservation efforts. “We need more donors like King Shaka Airport
that donate towards our conservation projects, especially for rhino,” said Dr
Venter. “Unfortunately rhino poaching has become a stale topic for the media
and public alike and we need to make it current again. It is more relevant now
than ever, with statistics climbing daily.”
King Shaka
International Airport has supported the Rhino Parade since 2012, not only
through donations but also by “babysitting” these interesting sculptures in the
terminal building.
More information on
www.rhinoparadesa.co.za
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