Game farming thrives
Despite the devastating drought in South Africa, the wildlife industry in the Eastern Cape is currently experiencing sustained growth and development. This emerged during discussions ahead of the Eastern Cape Wildlife Rancher of the Year Awards recently.
Award winners included Simon Amm, of Lindale Private Reserve near Salem, and Emmanuel Nel, from Kwandwe Signature Wildlife. Nel was named Young Rancher of the Year
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) represents the interests of wildlife ranchers (game farmers) across the country, and the organisation’s members, include land owners with an interest in wildlife, wildlife ranchers, professional hunting outfits, taxidermists, private reserves, and commercial farmers.
Chairperson Gerhard Heyneke said the Eastern Cape branch of WRSA had experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. The organisation represents members at provincial and local government level, as well as on Agri Eastern Cape, and other statutory bodies.
The Executive Committee of the Eastern Cape this year became the first provincial branch of WRSA to host a formal conference and gala awards ceremony.
Previously, there had been only national awards. The prestigious event was held on 29 October at the Fish River Sun Resort, and was attended by members from across the Eastern Cape, and guests of honour from across the country.
The latest developments in the industry were addressed during the conference, and guest speakers included; Dale Cunningham (WRSA Director), Brent McNamara (AgriEC), Peter Knipe (Wildlife Producers Association), Deon Furstenburg (Wildlife Scientist), Richard York (Golden Breeders) and Adri KitshoffBotha (WRSA CEO).
The conference concluded with a performance by motivational speaker Quinton Coetzee, previously of Veld Focus fame.
“Despite the devastating drought in South Africa, the wildlife industry in the Eastern Cape is currently experiencing sustained growth and development,” Heyneke said.
The Eastern Cape also boasts the current national title of Southern African Wildlife Rancher of the Year, awarded to Arthur Rudman in March this year during a national gala event at Sun City.
Rudman owns Blaauwkrantz Safaris which offers hunting safaris. It is around 30km west of Addo, as the crow flies.
Rudman, along with Adri Kitshoff-Botha (WRSA CEO), and National Directors Tebogo Mogashoa, Dale Cunningham, and Angus Sholto-Douglas were among the guests of honour, ready to congratulate the award winners at the evening’s event, hosted by Eastern Cape Chairman Gerhard Heyneke.
The annual Wildlife Rancher of the Year awards honour outstanding effort and commitment, which often takes place “behind the scenes”, and may go unrecognised by the rest of the wildlife industry who depend on the rancher for their livelihoods.
The finalists who received awards during Saturday evening’s event were: • Simon Amm – Lindale Private Reserve
•Paul Marais – Olifantskop Game Breeders • Warren Rieger – Benghoil Private Reserve (Best Newcomer) • Emmanuel Nel – Kwandwe Signature Wildlife (Young Rancher of the Year) • John Rance – Kei River Reserve (Sustainable Development Award) • Rob Hobson – Swartrivier Wildlife (Best Herd Award) • Outpost Game Breeders’ Andrew Parsons, Werner Nortje and John Ayliff – Collective (Eastern Cape Wildlife Rancher of the Year 2016)
The Wildlife Rancher of the Year represents outstanding commitment to setting new benchmarks for excellence in the industry, and the winner may go on to represent the Eastern Cape at the national awards next year.
In honour of their selfless contribution to the wildlife industry, special Lifetime Appreciation Awards were presented to Jaap Pienaar (Department of Environmental Affairs - retired) and Henry McCarthy (NMMU – Department of Agriculture and Game Ranch Management).
Past WRSA-EC secretary, Mary Lou Dixon, was also honoured for her commitment and dedication to WRSA Eastern Cape. Watch the video: https://vimeo. com/189891539