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Duo Paddle 67km to save Shongweni Reserve after Land Claim Ruin for Mandela Day

Duo Paddle 67km to save Shongweni Reserve after Land Claim Ruin for Mandela Day

Date: 2018-07-20

The reserve situated in Outer West, Ethikweni is 1700 hectares of pristine biodiversityand is currently home to 12 Giraffe, 12 Buffalo and a number of other species.

Conservation Guardians founded in 2008, cooperates withlocal structures, Conservation Authorities and global tourism organizationsto achieve biodiversity targets, improve the welfare of wildlife, and the integrity of tourism and aims to inspire a community of conscious travellers.

"Conservation Guardians is mandated with the task ofrestoring the Shongweni Resource Reserve back to its original splendourand we will not be able to achieve this without the right attitude, the right people and the necessary resources." - says Greg.

Hoping to raise funds to maintain the reserve for the next 3 months, Greg and Sara have committed to paddle for67 km's on what would have been Nelson Mandela's 100th Birthday and have set up a campaign on donations based crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy to appeal to the public for support.

The campaign went live on 13 July 2018 and has thus far raised R8 398.54 towards their fundraising target of R350 000 with contributions from 20 donors.

The funds will be used to cover vital operational costs and combat various threats to the sustainability of the facility as well as protect the ecosystem from poaching, vandalism, copper and brass theft from the dam wall.

"The fences that keep these animals safe have never been maintained and today the beautiful herd ofgiraffes,and the other animalsare at riskand are exposed to various threats. Since the previous managing company has been operating the reserve, it has deteriorated and it's been really upsetting to the Zwelibonvu community" says Greg

Sara, who joined Conservation Guardians in October 2017, has fallen in love with South Africa. As a student studying foreign languages and international relation she has visited SA a number of times and hopes to protect its beauty.

"This beautiful country offers one culture,ancientand modern architecture and diverse natural experiences, from the ocean to the mountains. This place has nourished my soul since I was a child and believe our BackaBuddy campaign can make a difference. If our Madiba has taught us anything, is that nothing is impossible"- says Sara

Donate to this campaign here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/shongweni67