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NORTHERN NEWS

NORTHERN NEWS

KNP and ZZ2 donate food parcels on Mandela Day

By Accolade Ubisi

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KNP hands over fresh vegetables donated by ZZ2 to the Mahlathi village ward counselor

“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return” – Nelson Mandela.

KNP became the first national park of South Africa in 1926, stretching over an estimated 181 communities and 3 million people, all of whom look up to KNP for jobs, support and socio-economic upliftment. homes on time and administered properly as well as ensuring that they have access to clean drinking water.

KNP, in collaboration with ZZ2, donated food parcels consisting of instant porridge, fresh vegetables, meat and mealie meal to add to what the community centre has so that they can continue to stretch their helping hand to all who need assistance within their community.

This year, to celebrate Mandela Day, KNP visited a home-based care centre in the Mahlathi village situated in the northern part of KNP, to offer support to one of their community programmes that looks after people who are unable to tend to their daily needs either because they have grown too old or are too ill.

Mandela Day is observed by giving back as much as one can without expecting anything in return. This is one of many beliefs that made our revered former president the great South African and world icon that he was and will always be.

The home-based centre cooks warm and hearty meals, cleans community members’ yards and homes, fetches and assists those who are on chronic medication to have their medicines delivered in their More importantly, KNP gave their time spent at the centre, strengthening existing relationships, building new ones and using the opportunity to get to know the people who live adjacent to the KNP even more.

“Overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, it is an act of justice.” – Nelson Mandela

We are grateful that a little bit of justice was achieved from our side to ensure that we hold hands with communities trying to overcome these difficult times.

This was neither the first nor last act of justice to pull our people together again to a place of health, hope and sanctity by KNP and its stakeholders.

COVID-19 Vaccine – It’s not just a jab, it saves lives

By Khensile Moriri

Both anxiety and excitement filled the room as Kruger National Park (KNP) employees queued outside the Skukuza community hall to receive their first COVID-19 jab. The Mpumalanga National Department of Health (DOH) visited the Skukuza Rest Camp where a total of 936 individuals got their Pfizer BioNTech according to their age category as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Covid-19 vaccine is 95% effective and is administered to protect the public from severe illness caused by the coronavirus and to also curb the massive spread. The more people get vaccinated, the quicker the progress of fighting COVID-19.

The president of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasised in one of his COVID-19 National Lockdown addresses that all organisations should encourage their employees to get vaccinated to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, KNP took a step forward and made it possible to ensure a healthy and safe environment for its staff members.

Four stations were allocated for vital signs checkups prior to the vaccine, to check for high blood pressure and other conditions that might be of risk for an individual to get vaccinated. A vaccination station where the jab was administered was set up, and a post-vital signs checkup station to check for symptoms that might be triggered by the vaccine was also created.The last station was the discharge spot where an individual recieved a confirmation email from DOH that they had their vaccine. With ease, employees who did not register to vaccinate were assisted with walk-in registrations.

“As individuals, we are sensitive to anything that has to do with being pricked, diagnoses or any health related issue that is directly aligned to us on a personal basis,” said KNP’s Sherlock Shabangu. “Also bear in mind that we all react differently to certain diseases. As the Wellness Office, together with Health and Safety, it is our job to ensure that our employees are, firstly, mentally prepared through orientations of any health-related programme that will be carried out (which is why we afford them free counselling with ICASA). Secondly, we also ensure that we constantly inform and educate them of different stigmas. Thirdly, we prioritise their health which sums up this vaccination programme where we encourage them to vaccinate and get protection from serious illnesses that might result from a coronavirus infection.

“However, employees are not forced to vaccinate; instead, they do so willingly and they have every right to declare a dispute. Judging from the responses we have received from those who have vaccinated already, we are happy to learn that there were no confirmed complications caused by the vaccine.

“The progress of the vaccination roll out in the Park since the third wave is our reminder that we are far from the end of COVID-19. The rate of infections remains high, reminding us that we still need to take care, continue wearing masks, washing hands and avoiding unnecessary travel. SANParks have so far vaccinated 936 people. The vaccine roll-out is under way, showing that we have the capacity and the will to overcome this pandemic.

“More groups are being welcomed to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. It’s anticipated that over 50% of those who register will receive their first dose of the vaccine by September.

The majority of adults in SA should be vaccinated by the end of the year,” concluded Mr Shabangu as he made his way to get his vaccine.

Wellness Officer of the KNP, Mr Sherlock Shabangu prepares to receive his first jab

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