With the support of South African National Parks, LeadSA and the Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi pupils congregated on the school’s sports field in the formation of a rhino to show their support for the anti-rhino poaching cause.
Representative from South African National Parks, Maria Moate said, “For me its really a brilliant thing to see communities and schools hand in hand, and raising awareness around rhino poaching. It’s an animal that is written in our heritage and the more we get to galvanize for this cause the better.”
Principal of the school Andrew Baker said he wore grey as a symbol of the rhino and a red tie to symbol the blood that had been unnecessarily shed through rhino poaching. Teacher Chris Gorman announced that the school had raised funds to adopt an abandoned black rhino calf and will run initiatives in the future to help raise and rehabilitate the animal.
Lesufi commended the school and its staff on the event and the leadership that was displayed by everyone in attendance. He said, “I want to thank you for your support. Without your leadership in the fight against rhino poaching, we would not be able to raise awareness. We must zero in on those who want to kill our rhinos and tell them that if they touch our rhino they touch us.”
