A Special Evening

I have some exciting news!!!

Last week (Monday the 27^th of July) my parents and I attended the 2015 Rhino Conservation Awards hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of South Africa. It was an amazing evening filled with delicious food, inspiring speeches and sparkling awards. The evening would not have been possible without ZEIZZ, CNEI and Prince Albert II of Monaco’s Foundation’s sponsorship with the help of the Game Ranger’s Association of Africa and the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Although the main purpose for the evening was the awards I really enjoyed the speeches; Dr Larry Hansen, Dr Michael Kaschke (Global CEO of Carl Zeiss Group), Debbie English, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Mr Fundisile Mketeni (CEO SA National Parks) spoke. If I had to pick a favourite speech it would be Mr Mketeni’s one which dealt with the current rhino crisis and the path forward; or it would be Debbie English’s touching description of a day in the life of a ranger’s family.

After being inspired by the numerous speeches and licking our lips through the starters and the main course, we finally arrived at the awards orientated part of the evening. Chris Galliers (Chairman of the GRAA), Dr Winfried Scherle (CEO Carl Zeiss Sports Optics) and Xiaoyang Yu handed out the awards. The categories of the evening included Best Field Ranger, Best Conservation Practitioner, Best Political and Judicial Support, Best Science, Research and Technology and finally the Best Awareness, Education and Funding. I was privileged enough to be awarded a Special Recognition Certificate (Youth Award) along with Kelsey Hunt, Calvin Erasmus and Alyssa Carter. 

From left to right: Dr Winifried Scherle, Xiaoyang Yu, Alyssa Carter, Kelsey Hint, Kirsten Everett (ME), Cavin Erasmus and Chris Galliers

I was flattered by the award and so amazed when the Black Mamba Anti-poaching Unit (26 women who have succeeded in their anti-poaching patrols and have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time in educating the communities surrounding the Balule Nature Reserve.

I thoroughly believe the words written at the bottom of the certificate “If the youth inspires, the world will listen.” Isn't that inspiring?

Here's a photograph I had with the Prince and some friends:

From left to right: Kelsey Hunt, Kirsten Everett (ME), Calvin Erasmus, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Tracy Henderson and Irene Huysamen

PS: In case you were wondering the words on the bottom of my award are:  

“In recognition of special achievement by a young person in the Awareness, Education and Funding category of the Rhino Conservation Awards 2015.”