Baxu and the Giants
A Short Film about rhino poaching triggering social change in a village in rural Namibia, seen through the eyes of a 9 year old girl.
Black rhinos are listed as endangered and this is mainly as a result of poaching for their horns. Despite the challenges the rhino faces, Namibia is home to the largest free-roaming population of black rhino. The northwestern area of the country is home to these great creatures and for the past two years, there has been zero poaching on communal land.
!Khubaxu, which means 'I come from the soil, is a reminder to us all that we are one with nature. The film Baxu and the Giants has been screened around Windhoek and tells the story of how rhino poaching triggers social change in a village in Damaraland, seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl. The film was commissioned by the Legal Assistance Centre to sensitize teenagers to the issue of poaching in Namibia.
Younger Namibians are taking a stand to fight against wildlife crime and raising awareness on the issue because the targeted animals are part of their heritage and pride of the country. The film not only impacted local Namibians but impacted primary school kids in Germany who fundraised about 410 Euros which was donated to Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia. The money will be used to support the rhino rangers who work tirelessly and walk long distances in harsh conditions to monitor the rhinos on communal land. To prevent the black rhino numbers from decreasing, everyone, both you and old, have a role to play in the protection of this species.
Baxu, a 9 year old girl in touch with nature and tradition but toughened by life in poverty, lives with her street-smart older brother Khata and alcoholic grandmother in a village in Damaraland. They live a peaceful life until strange men show up and cause change in the village. First the neighbour starts acting suspicious, then Baxu notices changes in her own household. Keen on finding out what Khata is hiding from her, Baxu investigates and learns that her brother started poaching, in order to improve his family's living conditions. Baxu has to make a tough decision - will she stay quiet or will she listen to the rhinos, the giants of the Savannah, who she talks to in her dreams and risk losing the people she loves the most?
The 2019 RMB Ride for Rhinos, which took place in July, marked the fifth year that riders donned their cycling gear and got on their bikes to pedal through the rugged, but scenic terrain of the Palmwag Concession.
While non-cyclists would not necessarily understand the attraction of sitting on a tiny seat and navigating your way over rocky and bumpy jeep and game tracks, there is a definite allure to it for those in love with the sport. The experience of noiselessly riding through the extraordinary landscapes of Damaraland with springbok, gemsbok and giraffe lazily watching you as you cruise past is priceless. The highlight of any day is a rhino sighting, which cyclists were lucky enough to have on consecutive days.
Saying goodbye to a long standing Trustee who truly served us well
Rob Moffett, Ongava Game Reserve Director Sales and Marketing, has been a Trustee of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) since 2005. His unwavering passion for the protection of Namibia’s natural resources and the Critically Endangered black rhino has been a driving force in the steadfast commitment he brought to SRT in his tenure of 14 years.
Rob’s knowledge of the current challenges facing conservationists and the measures required to make a true impact, placed him in a key position to help direct SRT in a new era of uniting our limited resources with that of Government, Communities and other NGOs to ensure the continued management and protection of our rhino.
Regretfully, SRT received word from Rob that his business commitments have become too great for him to be able to continue as a board member and he will be leaving SRT at the end of September.
“We wish Rob all the best with his thriving career. He has played a vital part in SRT’s success, and as we celebrate 2 years of no poaching, we thank him for all he has done for SRT. He will be greatly missed”.
African ranger awards
The Paradise Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation jointly recognized the wildlife protectors in Africa on World Ranger Day. The 2019 African Ranger Awards was presented to 50 winners chosen from 17 countries to celebrate their passion, commitment, and dedication in protecting wildlife.
We are proud to announce that Lesley Karutjaiva, SRT’s Director of Field Operations, was one of the winners chosen for his tremendous conservation efforts, success in combating poaching, preserving habitats and stopping illegal wildlife trade.
The African Ranger Award seeks to raise awareness in the world about the need to conserve Africa’s wildlife, emphasizing the critical role that front-line rangers play in conservation. By sharing those real-life stories, this award aims to help stem the current decline in populations of Africa’s wildlife.
Africa serves as the last refuge to huge populations of wild animals and forests on earth, which has unfortunately been suffering from illegal poaching, trafficking and logging during the past decades.
An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 front-line rangers in Africa are risking their lives fighting against armed criminals in order to protect the invaluable natural wildlife there, with over a thousand killed in the course of their duty during the past ten years. These rangers are often exposed to extreme conditions doing incredibly dangerous jobs, but the attention and support they receive are barely enough.
The Plight of the Rhino
Look at me, awaken the ancient past
Stare at me, I am disappearing fast
The souvenir I am to life is to live on
The souvenir I am to your greed is my horn
My horn to protect and defend my life
My horn to protect and defend new life
My horn my real strength
My horn your superficial strength
Your ego I pay for with death
Is your carnal fantasy my only worth?
The beast in you I face fatal cruelty
Even to my humane human guardians you respond with brutality
How come for the weakness of your horn
My generations cease to be born?
How come for your ornamental pleasure
I have to perish at your order?
Jermain Ketji, 12 September 2019
https://www.facebook.com/jermain.ketji
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