NORTHERN NEWS

Klipspringer: Africa’s dancing antelope

By Sipho Mkhwanazi

If you have ever been to Mapungubwe National Park or even Marakele, you will attest that there is a friendly little fella whom you’re bound to bump into as you make your way around the park. The klipspringer is one of the cutest little animals that loves playing around in the rocky areas of our national parks. These monogamous creatures enjoy prancing across the African savanna together for their entire lifespan.

When hearing the name klipspringer you may wonder what kind of African animal you can come face-to-face with on an African safari. The tip-toe klipspringer is commonly springing around on Africa’s most vertical rock faces. Here are a few facts about one of the continent’s most elegant antelope.

Oreotragus oreotragus is the klipspringer’s scientific name, but who’s going to repeat the same word twice? Instead, the Afrikaans named this gregarious antelope klipspringer, meaning ‘rock jumper’ in Dutch, and you’ll soon understand why.

The klipspringer’s incredible agility

Klipspringers inhabit rocky terrain in mountain ranges with sparse vegetation. This allows the seemingly defenceless klipspringer to escape their predators easily. It can also be spotted on a South Africa safari, in areas such as Zoutpansberg and Lebombo mountain ranges near Kruger. Klipspringer also inhabit South Africa’s Western Cape, coastal Angola and Namibia. Even though klipspringer live on steep mountainous terrains where not many predators will venture, klipspringers only live as long as domestic cats, up to around 15 years.

A rare sighting of a klipspringer on it’s own - they are always in pairs

Suitable ballet boots for what is considered the African Balerina

The African ballerina

The African rock leaper has immense agility in the rocky habitats of east and south Africa. You could say the klipspringer is like a ballerina gracefully jumping around on its tiptoes, minus the pink tutu of course! A klipspringer’s hooves are cylindrical, meaning they have parallel sides which form the shape of a cylinder. The hooves are long and downward-pointing with blunt rounded tips, providing adaptation and swiftness of movement in its rocky environment, while enhancing its grip.

High jump animal champions

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s the world’s highest show-jumper! And the award goes to the champion klipspringer! Despite their dainty size of just 1 meter tall, they can jump as high as eight metres in the air. Klipspringers can easily leap over the world’s tallest mammal on Earth today, the great giraffe, which stands between five and six meters tall. With no comparison at all, the highest human high jump on record is only 2.4 meters.

Life-long loving klipspringers

Till death do us part, let a lifetime of bonding begin in wild Africa. Unlike most other animals, klipspringers will choose just one mate to go through life with. How loyal and sweet is that? Klipspringers don’t venture far from one another, staying within a close proximity of up to approximately five meters at all times. Talk about zero personal space! There’s no ‘me-time’ for this antelope.

Remember to grab your shot if you happen to bump into klipspringer in the park. They love the camera!

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affidavits before the matter is referred to the Clerk of Court for further handling. The SAPS also should establish whether a criminal case must be opened against the abuser. The SAPS may arrest, as per Section 3 of the Act, the accused at the scene of the incident if they are of a reasonable view that an act of domestic violence has been committed. Therefore, I call upon everyone to take a stand against GBV and let us work towards a safer environment for our future generation,” emphasised Ms Motsheya of the SAPS in Skukuza.

“Families South Africa (FAMSA) is there to assist with post trauma of abuse. We offer counselling and therapeutic services for both individual and family. FAMSA also offers pre-marital counselling to prepare you psychologically before marriage and to get to know the person you are about to wed. As individuals we do not behave the same due to how we were raised and how we differ in genders. Abuse usually derives from home, how a parent behaves, discipline and interact with their children. We must break the stigma at home, let’s start with our own family members, inform and educate them about abuse and how it may affect the next person. Let us commit in campaigning against GBV. As FAMSA, we discourage toxic relationships and pride ourselves with strengthening and mending relationships,” concluded Ms Nonhlanhla, FAMSA Social Worker.

Wildseries Golden Gate Challenge 2021 wraps up

By Sipho Mkhwanazi

Runners are said to tackle the course over a three-day period, running across the Golden Gate Highlands terrain

The Golden Gate 2021 Challenge took place from 21 to 24 October at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, home of the dinosaurs, Cape and Bearded Vulture and various antelope. This year was a celebration of the tenth anniversary of this unique event. The three day staged event explores some of the country’s most beautiful mountain landscape; traversing remote areas of the park which are rarely open to the public.

This year’s event also featured a two day stage run called the Kgodumodumo run which was a 10km and 17km run on the Saturday and Sunday respectively. Kgodumodumo refers to an old folktale of the infamous Kgodumodumo Monster. Local legend has it that Kgodumodumo ate all the Basotho people, their cows and goats except for a single pregnant woman who managed to hide. She gave birth to a mighty warrior who slayed Kgodumodumo and freed the Basotho people. Wildtrust CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers joined in the celebrations and ran the Kgodumodumo race. “It was such a privilege to be able to be part of the Golden Gate 10th anniversary event. Seeing so many participants in the park again brought back some feeling of ‘normality’ returning. Over and above just being able to get into the mountains, our organisation’s objective is to raise funds for our conservation partners and agencies like SANParks. Having such a good turn-out means we will be able to assist the conservation work at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park,” he concluded.

A shorter 10km run named the Dino Run was added this year, and became a very popular distance for those who were not ready to tackle the full three day challenge. The event paid a

special commemoration to a departed SANParks Ranger, Ntate Joseph Mabote by naming the 17km run after him as a special tribute, marking his contribution to this event since its inception. Many of the participants loved and respected him, so this was a fitting tribute to a man that had given so much to the event while he was still alive.

The weather seemed to challenge the runners more than the actual routes. On day one the runners experienced extreme weather changes and saw all four seasons in one day, but they persevered.

Eric Ngubane was the overall winner in a time of 07:19:25 and was followed by Sipho Mofokeng, the 2020 defending champion in a time of 07:45:59. Matthew Aiken wrapped up the podium in third place with a time of 08:24:21. Eric Ngubane, who is a seasoned trail and road runner as well as super fan of the Wildseries, touched our hearts and showed the true spirit of Ubuntu as he awarded his Golden Gate award to Travis Warwick-Oliver. Travis was involved in a motorbike accident eight months ago which resulted in a leg amputation. “Travis should be an inspiration to all of us because his disability didn’t stop him from taking part in the three day challenge. If Travis can cover 73km on one leg, then more people should take part. Travis is no ordinary mountain runner, he is the winner in my eyes,” Eric commented.

The ladies race was spectacular as Apiwe Gaga, a podium finisher in 2017, came first with a time of 10:43:28. She was shortly followed by Nonhlakanipho Tau with a time of 10:57:23. Nonhla, as she is fondly known, was fresh from the Karkloof 100 miler just over a month ago. In third place, Chantal Pennicott closed off the podium with a respectable time of 11:32:37.

SANParks Golden Gate Highlands National Park Manager Paddy Gordon concluded after the event,

A determined runner takes on the mighty Extreme Challenge

A snap of this year’s Wildseries Extreme Challenge trophy, inspired by the Godumodumo Dinosaur Centre

“SANParks are really happy to host this event for the tenth year in a row and to see that runners were so eager to return. The park makes available some of its most outstanding landscapes that make the event challenging and memorable, and we work closely with event organisers to ensure that all environmental impacts are mitigated.”

16 days, and beyond, of activism for NO VIOLENCE against women and children

By Phokela Lebea

Groenkloof National Park staff members at the main boardroom listening to Mr Javu Baloyi from the Commission for Gender Equality

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November and runs until 10 December to challenge violence against women and children. In support of this civil society initiative, SANParks hosted a hybrid session on Tuesday, 30 November 2021 under the theme “Moving from Awareness to Accountability on GBV”. The session was hosted by SANParks Employee Wellness together with the Strategy and Transformation Unit. Mr Javu Baloyi from the Commission for Gender Equality was the main speaker.

On behalf of EXCO, the Managing Executive for Conservation Services, Dr Luthando Dziba welcomed everyone and thanked Mr Baloyi for honouring SANParks staff with an address on the very important subject of GBV. Dr Dziba emphasised the significance of building a culture of zero tolerance towards gender-based Violence in SANParks. “We need to create an environment whereby it is easy for women to report any acts of violence or discrimination in the organisation. We need to uproot GBV by ensuring that we report it, and as managers at various levels in the organisation we must take it seriously and take the necessary steps to root it out.”

“EXCO and the Board have approved a Transformation Integration Strategy. One of its aims is to deal with Gender Equality and issues that relate to GBV,” said Dr Dziba. He further encouraged staff members to review the strategy and give feedback and find better ways that the organisation can strengthen their response to GBV. Dr Dziba concluded his remarks by indicating that SANParks must look beyond the 16 days of

activism against GBV of women and children and ensure that it is a constant, conscious reminder to act responsibly and have programmes in place to address it.

In his address, Mr Baloyi provided background on the state of GBV in the country and highlighted the work that is done by the Commission for Gender Equality. “Gender-Based Violence manifests itself in so many ways. It is a pandemic of the highest proportion. It’s a societal problem and needs to be addressed by all of us. South Africa is listed number one in the world when it comes to Gender-Based Violence. We are the rape capital of the world. Every day, every minute and hour, someone is raped and abused in South Africa. We need to take ownership and accountability as a country, as Gender Commission and as SANParks.” Issues about sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation in the workplace were also addressed. Mr Baloyi gave a number of examples of cases the Commission for Gender Equality is dealing with. Gender-Based Violence is costly to the employer, to the survivor and the perpetrator, said Mr Baloyi. A question and answer session was facilitated whereby staff members asked Mr Baloyi and Human Capital Management questions relating to Gender-Based Violence and Gender Equality in the workplace. Sipho Mkhwanazi, Regional Communication and Marketing Manager for the Northern Region was the programme director. A moment of silence in honour of the survivors of Gender-Based Violence was held. Moreover, a moment of reflection to the role each of us play in the fight against Gender-Based Violence was also held.

Ms Makgomo Umlaw, Head of Human Capital Management closed the session by appreciating the speaker, Mr Javu Baloyi for taking time to come and address SANParks staff. She thanked the Wellness team for organising such an important session and all staff members for attending and engaging. Ms Umlaw reiterated that stopping Gender-Based Violence is the responsibility of everyone. There is no excuse for women and children abuse. Let’s stand together against Gender-Based Violence.