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SIYAFUNDA NGEMVELO

We learn in nature

Many children in South Africa have never visited a game reserve or National Park before. This is despite lots of them living in close proximity to these incredible places, all over the country. Although tourists come from all over the world to see wildlife such as lions, elephants and rhinos, many South Africans will never get that chance.

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But how can we expect people to protect what they do not know?

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Connected Planet Foundation and Dogs4Wildlife have teamed up with Bonamanzi Game Reserve, and Nombekana Safaris for a new programme called Siyafunda Ngemvelo which translates from isiZulu to 'We learn in nature.' The programme has already seen many children from Glen Park School in KwaZulu Natal and Sallem Combined School near Crocodile Bridge, Kruger, visit their local wildlife reserve. 

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Well over 100 pupils from Glen Park Primary School have had the chance to visit their local reserve, Bonamanzi, where they've had incredible sightings of wildlife such as rhinos and elephants, whilst more recently, pupils at Sallem Combined School have spent the day with Rodney and Mfundo of Nombekana Safaris, whilst visiting the amazing Kruger National Park.

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Through these amazing, educational field trips we hope to connect many more young South Africans to their wildlife heritage, creating connections to the natural world that we hope will last a lifetime. The field trips of today, help build the conservationists of tomorrow. 

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You can find out more about why Siyafunda Ngemvelo is so important in this blog post.

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Here is what Nombekana founder, Rodney had to say about our first Kruger trip.

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Today, Nombekana Safaris, in collaboration with the Connected Planet Foundation Dogs4Wildlife ,and Mfundo on Safari had the privilege of welcoming a group of young, eager minds from one of the local schools near Kruger National Park. This wasn’t just a typical safari day but rather a monumental step toward nurturing the future protectors of our precious wildlife. We embarked on a journey to expose these children to the wonders of the Kruger, hoping to plant the seeds of love and responsibility for conservation in their hearts.

 

From the moment we entered the park, the excitement on their faces was palpable. For some , it was their first time seeing the iconic wildlife that calls this land home, But beyond the sheer joy of witnessing the beauty of nature firsthand, this day held a deeper purpose. It was a day about understanding, learning, and instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment they are destined to inherit. Together we believe that the future of our parks and wildlife depends not just on current conservation efforts but on the active involvement of local communities.

 

By engaging these young learners, we are ensuring that future generations are equipped with the knowledge and passion needed to sustain our wildlife heritage. Our wildlife parks, like Kruger, are not just places of recreation but vital ecosystems that maintain the balance of life on our planet. In the hands of these children lies the future of conservation. These kinds of initiatives foster a deeper connection between the local communities and the parks that border their homes. Historically, many of these communities have had limited access to the parks, often viewing them from the outside. Through these educational experiences, we aim to break that barrier, inviting them in and showing them that the parks are as much a part of their heritage as anyone else’s.

 

Exposing children to the marvels of the natural world at a young age ensures that they grow up with an appreciation for it. The knowledge they gain from a single day in Kruger could inspire a lifetime of environmental stewardship. Conservation Is About People It’s easy to think of conservation as solely about wildlife, but at its core, conservation is about people. The local communities around Kruger National Park are vital stakeholders in the protection of the park’s natural assets. We recognize that conservation cannot succeed in isolation. It must be a shared responsibility between those working directly in wildlife protection and the communities surrounding the parks.

 

By involving these children, we are laying the groundwork for a collaborative approach to conservation that will benefit both people and wildlife. A future where communities feel a strong connection to the park is a future where Kruger and its wildlife can thrive. Days like today remind us of the critical role we play in fostering this passion within others, especially the youth. We are proud of our commitment to creating opportunities for young people to engage with nature in meaningful ways and we hope to ignite a flame of curiosity and responsibility in the hearts of these children that will grow with them into adulthood.

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Support Siyafunda Ngemvelo

To make Siyafunda Ngemvelo a success we need your support. You can help make this project a success by visiting our Just Giving page. Every penny counts. 

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Let's find tomorrow's conservationists. 

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Get in touch so we can start working together.

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