Following the sold-out concert in March last year, the SANParks Honorary Rangers will offer two superb classical concerts of Classics in the Wild at Mdluli Safari Lodge on June 7 and 8 to raise funds for conservation.
The exclusive concerts will feature members of the acclaimed Apple Green Orchestra under the direction of Tim Roberts, joined by the delightful young soprano, Sinesipho Mnyango. Roberts is also the director of the Johannesburg Bach Choir, conductor of the Randburg High Community Orchestra and artistic director of the St Francis Music Festival, held at the St Francis of Assisi Church, Parktown, Johannesburg, each May. He is an experienced musician himself, as member of the wind section of the Phoenix Ensemble under direction of Richard Cock, who will take joint responsibility for compiling the programme for the Kruger Concert for Conservation.
The orchestra will perform works of Strauss, Mozart, Bach, Puccini and Brahms, as well as works of modern composers such as Elton John, Gershwin and even ABBA. The two concerts are a joint project between the Innibos Lowveld National Arts Festival and the SANParks Honorary Rangers Lowveld Region. Proceeds go to the SANParks Honorary Rangers for conservation projects in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Nelspruit Ford and Malalane Ford have come on board as sponsors for the event. Lorinda Roux, dealer principal, expressed her excitement about being part of the project. “Ford and the Ford Wildlife Foundation have been passionate about preserving and supporting the environment for over 30 years. Nelspruit Ford and Malalane Ford, situated next to one of the world’s most famous national parks, the Kruger National Park, are very happy to support the SANParks Honorary Rangers. We know it is efforts such as these that contribute to the preservation of our national parks and the environment.”
First National Bank has also joined hands with the honorary rangers as a sponsor for the event. Graeme Cole, regional head of commercial banking, said the bank was honoured to partner with the event, as FNB has a responsibility to conserve and protect the environment by actively getting involved in initiatives that are contributing to this cause. “The SANParks Honorary Rangers is doing wonderful work in the Kruger National Park and plays an important role in assisting SANParks to achieve its conservation and development objectives,” he said.
The classical concerts will take place at the beautiful Mdluli Safari Lodge, situated inside the Kruger close to the Numbi Gate, on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8 at 17:00 each day.
Tickets, which include a premium welcome experience with delicious snacks and a glass of complimentary wine, cost R1 150 per person. There will be a cash bar at the venue.
The event is available to the public as well as guests who will be in the KNP that Friday and Saturday. No private vehicles are permitted to drive in the Kruger after dark. Guests staying in KNP (Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Nkambeni Safari Lodge) must use the shuttle from the camp to the concert venue, departing from the Skukuza reception at 15:00, from Pretoriuskop reception at 16:00 and Nkambeni reception at 16:30. These shuttle services are included in the ticket price.
Guests outside the KNP are permitted to self-drive or consider making use of the shuttle departing from Mbombela at 14:00. A pick-up from White River can also be arranged. A separate ticket needs to be purchased for this shuttle at R150 per guest.
Tickets for the concert and shuttle services are available from Quicket.co.za (https://qkt.io/4uHXC0).
There are several accommodation options available in Skukuza, Pretoriuskop and Nkambeni Safari Lodge for those who wish to attend the event. Please book at KLCBT on 013 755 1988.
Contact lowveldfundraising@sanparks-volunteers.org for more information on the event, or Linda Pieters on 082 933 1011.
