Yesterday the Newscafe at King Shaka International Airport was abuzz with a large group of people gathering to witness the 20 year old Olympic Gold Medalist, Chad Le Clos, unveil a spectacular rhino sculpture and commit to helping in the fight against poaching.
Chad needs no introduction, having won a gold medal in a memorable race against his idol, Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 Olympics in London earlier this year. The young, proudly South African swimming star, Chad Le Clos believes we need to protect our country’s heritage. “I find poaching shocking and any cruelty to animals in fact; the current rhino poaching crisis is really bad, and we need to do whatever we can to help right now.” Chad’s father, who has also risen to “celebrity” status overnight with his quirky personality and outspoken ways, was also in attendance. “My son has been overwhelmed with people asking him to stand behind their causes, but this was one that he felt he could not say no to and is something both him and I feel very passionately about,” commented Burt.
Chad is hard working but also quite playful and mischievous, and obviously the apple does not fall far from the tree because both Chad and his father, Burt, have a fantastic sense of humour. When asked if and why he was proud to be a South African, Chad replied, “yes, very proud, I think the people in this country are amazing, except the poachers.” A lovely light hearted attitude in amongst the “heaviness” of the poaching epidemic we are currently faced with.
Chad’s rhino, which was designed to reflect him on both a personal and professional level, will be auctioned off at a high profile event on the 29th of November at the Durban City Hall, and all funds raised will go towards the conservation efforts of the Wildlands Conservation Trust and their strategic partners.
Chad’s rhino forms part of the Durban leg of the RHINO PARADE. This is an innovative fundraising campaign based on the internationally renowned Cow Parade concept. There are 4 rhino in the Durban parade, including that of Pat Lambie, Shaun Pollock and music legend, Ray Phiri. The initiative seeks to raise funding for the war on rhino poaching by getting South African Ambassadors to adopt and help design a ¾ life size black rhino sculpture.
Rhino poaching has reached epidemic proportions with the statistics heading close to 600 before the end of 2012. Andrew Venter, CEO of the Wildlands Conservation Trust emphasized how important it was for people to join forces in this fight, “we recently formed a strategic partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) and African Conservation Trust (ACT) with a view to channelling our resources,” commented Venter. “By standing together with ambassadors like Chad we reiterate that lawlessness and criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said Venter. The partnership builds on the foundation laid through the establishment and activities of the ground breaking Project Rhino KZN initiative â€" www.projectrhinokzn.org.
“Chad passes through this airport on a regular basis, and I must say one of the biggest crowds that ever gathered here at the domestic arrivals was when Chad arrived back from the 2012 London Olympics, I also remember a LOT of screaming girls,” jokes Brand & Communications Manager at ACSA, Colin Naidoo. “I don’t think Chad could have anticipated just how much his life would change after that day, but it is great to see that he is using his new found fame to do good, and ACSA are also happy to be a part of this great cause,” commented Naidoo.