Entries for the 2010 South African National Parks (SANParks) Kudu Awards programme are streaming in.
In the six years of these awards, we have never seen so much interest so soon after the entries opened,” says Reynold Thakhuli, General Manager: Media, Events & Stakeholder Relations at SANParks, conveners of the awards programme. “This shows that there is quite a lot of deserving conservation and environmental projects and individuals who needs to be recognised as the best.”
According to Thakhuli, the Kudu Awards is becoming one of the best conservation awards programmes in the country in which a lot of companies, individuals as well as community groups enter to showcase their work around environment and conservation of natural resources. “In the world threatened by a change in climate patterns it is important that corporate, individuals or groups are able to show what they are doing to be advocates for change in their operations all in the name of taking care of the environment we are living in.”
The award is an initiative that aims to recognise external stakeholders for their contributions and efforts in making SANParks the custodian of choice for the national parks system in South Africa. “It aims at enhancing equitable and sustainable relationships with various external communities with a particular caring interest to the national parks of our country.”
Thakhuli said entrants enter the award programme voluntarily, and they allow their projects to be scrutinised by a panel of judges and comment on aspects such as the positive impact the project or an individual has had on the environment. “The fact that the award programme enjoys support from large companies such as AVIS, and First National Bank is indicative of the esteem in which the programme is held.”
Thakhuli said entering the awards programme holds real, tangible benefits for entrants. “In addition to receiving a thorough summary of all comments by judges, whether positive or negative, finalists and winners receive widespread exposure which gives them a definite competitive edge to their peers, particularly around their passion for our parks and all have a need to be recognised as the best in the conservation of our biodiversity.”
“It is for this reason that we need to celebrate these achievements by paying tribute to those who worked effortlessly in putting our parks on the forefront of conservation.”
The awards will be made in four different categories. The first being the Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award. The second award category is the Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation. The last category is Environmental Education/Capacity Building award.
Thakhuli said SANParks will still receive final entries by close of business on Friday, 28 May 2010.
The awards winners will be announced at a function in the Free State in November. For more information and entry form visit www.sanparks.org or contact Itshekeng Mokone on telephone (012) 426 5058/e-mail: itshekengm@sanparks.org or Reynold Thakhuli on (012) 426 5203/email: reyt@sanparks.org
Issued by:
SANParks Corporate Communications
Media Enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli, General Manager: Media, Events & Stakeholder Relations, tel: (012) 426 5203, Cell: 073 373 4999, e-mail: reyt@sanparks.org
