Media release article

Blue Label Telecoms teams up with Africa Cries Film Productions to make a difference to Africa's dying herd of rhino

Johannesburg, 17 April 2013: Blue Label Telecoms has sponsored the showcasing of films by well-known conservationist and film producer, Roland Vincent, director of Africa Cries Film Productions, to help raise awareness of the plight of the rhino.

‘Rhineo and Juliet' exposes the desecration of the African wildlife through indiscriminate poaching and is the first of a series of short films exposing the horrors and brutality of poaching and its impact on Africa's natural heritage.

‘The Ark' proposes a thought provoking opportunity to participate in a sustainable solution: the development of a wildlife sanctuary aimed at increasing and protecting the endangered rhino.     

Guest speaker at the unveiling of the films in Johannesburg was John Hume, the largest rhino owner in South Africa.  He said:  ‘International trade in rhino horn has been banned since 1975. In February 2009, the national moratorium on rhino horn trade became law in South Africa. For many years before this, poaching was minimal, less than 30 rhinos per year. In 2009, 122 rhinos were poached; in 2010 - 133; in 2011 - 448 and more than 668 rhinos poached in 2012. The national moratorium prevented private rhino owners from selling their rhino horn stocks legally and effectively dried up the legal supply of horn." This situation has fuelled the illegal trade of rhino horn, now at exorbitant prices, to satisfy mostly the Asian black-market, which is essentially driven by mis-information as to the medicinal value of rhino horn.

Brett Levy, CEO of Blue Label Telecoms added: "As responsible citizens we believe that we owe it to our fellow South Africans, especially our children, to take a stand against the butchering of our rhino population.  Increased security patrols, guns and hi-tech equipment are mere short term and effective solutions to poaching, but raising awareness and helping to stimulate discussion on the plight of the rhino are more sustainable solutions."