Archive for the ‘Campaigns’ Category

When we established Suni-Ridge in 1992, most of the workers at surrounding farms were very poor and no school had been established for their children. To provide a school for these children was to be our first community outreach priority.

Our first school building was situated in the premises of an old pineapple factory close to Suni-Ridge and volunteer teachers provided lessons for the children. Unfortunately we were given notice to move and we found ourselves unable to find other premises, so we borrowed a large South African Defense Force Tent and moved the school into this tent which we erected under a huge maroela tree. Read the rest of this entry »

Conservation and the protection of biodiversity is of the utmost importance to Janet and Rob Cuthbertson. Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre was established to expand Janet and Rob’s focus of environmental concern into the surrounding area and local communities. Read the rest of this entry »

Currently, most orphaned wild animals are left for “nature to take care of herself”, which means that any baby wild animal will surely die being unable to fend for itself.

And this is in a part of Africa where the majestic wild elephants, rhino, leopard, cheetah, etc. once roamed freely. These animals can now only be seen in limited numbers in protected reserves.

Our goal is to give the orphans the survival skills needed, which they would have learned from their parents, so that they can return to the wild when the time comes. Read the rest of this entry »

It is essential that we protect our wildlife from poaching and hunting. One might understand the terrible “need” if it was driving by hunger for the poverty-stricken table, but in most cases, it’s because of the bush-meat trade or other profit-driven reason.

If things carry on as they are now, there won’t be any wildlife left to see. This needs to stop.

Read the rest of this entry »

KHOLA is the Zulu word for Believe.

We believe we can make a difference!

The KHOLA Campaign is for people, businesses and organisations who share our belief that wildlife reserves should be bona fide safe havens for wild animals, where they are not used as a resource “for their own protection”.

Read the rest of this entry »

“Old Boy” was the first wild zebra stallion at Suni-Ridge. Over the 12-years, he had become quite tame, often coming to the house to visit Janet and Rob Cuthbertson at night.

Below is a copy of the letter that Janet sent to a friend about this tragic event. Further down, you can also read the letter about little KHOLA, the foal that was born after Old Boy’s death. Khola is the inspiration behind the KHOLA Sponsor Ad Campagin. Read the rest of this entry »

Most people in the developed world are fortunate to be able to lead stable and secure lives. In developing countries, the situation is different.

There are millions of people around the world who don’t have access to basic amenities, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, food and education.

This SCHOOL Campaign invites schools and school children from developed countries around the world to donate to the Zulu children at False Bay School, South Africa.

Read the rest of this entry »

From the outset, when we arrived here in 1990, we concerned ourselves with the rural people in our area, as they are mostly disadvantaged and very poor.

The first project that we initiated was to establish a school for the Zulu children of the families who work on the farms in the area. We are now also working in the rural area about 10 kilometers from here, where there are many aids orphans. Read the rest of this entry »

To help the local communities live in a sustainable way that conserves their cultural and natural heritage, we run a Young Environmental Ambassador’s Leadership Course.

By supporting our ECO-AMBASSADOR Campaign, you are encouraging the leaders of tomorrow to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

The 5-day course is based at Suni-Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary, and strives to achieve the following: Read the rest of this entry »

Another aspect of wildlife protection is that we have a great challenge to reach as many rural children in our area with the message that wildlife and it’s habitat is their natural heritage, and should be protected, cared for and held in trust for present and future generations.

Why is Environmental Education Important?

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park Environmental Rehabilitation Centre is situated in the environs of the World Natural Heritage Park Isimangaliso Wetland Park in False Bay. Together with the rural community in the Northern Eastern catchment of Lake St. Lucia, we share a common boundary with this World Heritage Site. Read the rest of this entry »

Provide a Sanctuary for Wildlife

It has been well documented that during the past 15 years, the population of large numbers of mammals outside of parks and game reserves has decreased dramatically.

Illegal hunting, the bushmeat trade, expansion of agriculture and urban settlements are the main causes of this trend.

Our aim is to provide a safe haven where wildlife is protected from being utilised as a resource for the meat trade, hunting or breeding.

Read the rest of this entry »

© Map of Maputaland in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park is located in Maputaland, an ecological paradise on the north east coast of South Africa, and enjoys a greater biodiversity than any other area in the country.

“On the left is the sparkling Mozambique coast with the town of Ponta da Oura and on the right, the start of the most beautiful stretch of KwaZulu Natal coastal landscape. A series of lakes strung out like shimmering beads in necklace.

We had just flown across Tembe Elephant Park with its unique watery wilderness, spotting elephant and rhino at waterholes. And ahead of us is the Mkuzi Game Reserve, the up-market Phinda Reserve and the grandeur of the Lubombo Mountains with Swaziland on the other side.”

Jill Gowans, an environmental reporter for the Sunday Tribune, observed this while flying over the Maputaland region. Read the rest of this entry »