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Stay resilient - there is a long winter ahead

Posted on Wed June 3, 2020.

As of the end of May 2020, the African Safari Foundation has donated nearly R900 000 to our community partners...

The impact of the strict Covid-19 lockdown regulations is being felt across Southern Africa, particularly in the tourism sector. Compliments to SANParks, the Africa Foundation and many other foundations, trusts, lodges and NGOs who are working to ensure that communities neighbouring protected areas have the very basics - food and water provisions.

As of the end of May 2020, the African Safari Foundation has donated nearly R900 000 to our community partners, including: the Balete and Legophung communities (Madikwe), Makuleke (Pafuri); Bhangazi (Isimangaliso Wetland Authority), Makhasa (Phinda extension) and Khoasi/Haos (Grootberg, Namibia).

Tackling the problems that face our communities is far from over and it is going to take a long while for our tourism industry to recover. It's an essential time for all of us involved in conservation, development and tourism to collaborate using our skills, knowledge, efforts, and of course funding to continue to support these communities in light of the ongoing pandemic.

I took part in a webinar last month with Dr Hayley Clements, facilitated by Stellenbosch University's Centre for Complex Systems in Transition  (CST) and Resilient Waters titled: Exploring the resilience of southern African wildlife economies and livelihoods during Covid-19 highlighting some of the key challenges we are currently facing. If you missed it, please watch the video.

The ASF is also calling for donations to assist our communities. Please email me directly in this regard: stevecollins@iafrica.com - we will make sure that any donation large or small will reach our communities.

As I said in a previous post, we are playing the long game with Covid-19; there is a long winter ahead in Southern Africa, so let's stay strong and focused and do what we can during these uncertain times. #tourismstrong #resilience #wildlifecommunities

Steve Collins

CEO, The African Safari Foundation

Featured images: Last week the ASF provided support to the Makhasa and Bhangazi communities in far northern KwaZulu-Natal, by delivering food parcels to a number of families.