70 South African white rhinos relocated to Rwanda
Rwanda confirmed that 70 white rhinos had been successfully relocated to the Great Lakes nation after a two-day journey of some 3 000km from South Africa.
It was the largest ever relocation of rhinos, which can weigh up to two tonnes, Rwandan officials said.
Once abundant across sub-Saharan Africa, rhino numbers have dramatically fallen due to hunting by European colonisers and large-scale poaching.
The animals were transported in two loads of 35 – first aboard a Boeing 747, then by road – from South Africa's Munywana Conservancy to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, or about 3 000km as the crow flies, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
A 'dedicated veterinary team will closely monitor their health and behaviour for several weeks to ensure proper adaptation to their new environment and management of any stress associated with the move', it said in a statement.
The move was part of African Parks' Rhino Rewild Initiative, supported by The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and aims to support population growth and secure a new breeding stronghold in Rwanda.
According to the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), rhino poaching in Africa rose by four percent from 2022 to 2023, with at least 586 rhinos poached in 2023.
The southern white rhino, one of two subspecies, is now listed as 'near threatened', with roughly 17 000 individuals remaining, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The northern white rhino has all but vanished, with only two females left alive.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
The Global Girmitiya Centre of SA hosting a workshop to connect Girmitiyas from across the diaspora
The Global Girmitiya Centre of South Africa is inviting the public to attend a 'The Girmitiya Diaspora in 2025: Identity, challenges and shaping our future' workshop set to take place on July 12 at L'Aperitivo - The Auroras, 9 Aurora Dr, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban. Image: Supplied The time is nearing for South African Girmitiyas to reflect on their commonalities, shared experiences, challenges and solutions with fellow Girmitiyas in the diaspora. The Global Girmitiya Centre of South Africa is inviting the public to attend a 'The Girmitiya Diaspora in 2025: Identity, challenges and shaping our future' workshop set to take place on July 12 at L'Aperitivo - The Auroras, 9 Aurora Dr, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban. The workshop will include participation from: Shri Ravindra Dev (Guyana) – Identity & cohesion, Professor (Dr) Sandili Ramdial- Maharaj (Trinidad) – The psyche of the oppressed & oppressor: Girmitiya experience Professor Kapil Kumar (New Delhi) – Revealing suppressed realities Professor Ganesh Chand (Fiji) – The way forward Bugsy Singh (South Africa) – Girmitiya in SA & facilitation The Global Girmitiya Centre of SA (affiliated to the Global Girmitiya Institute) was established to highlight the South African Girmitiya's history, challenges, heroes and role in the pursuit of social cohesion and nation building – and to liaise with Girmitiya populations in the diaspora. The centre said that in these globalised times, they appreciate that Girmitiyas, courtesy of imperialist designs, have also dispersed far and wide in the world – in the Caribbean, Fiji, Malaysia, Mauritius. "They are our kin and kith, from the same civilisation, also mercilessly wrenched from their homelands." The centre said that between 1860 to 1911, a total of 152,184 Girmitiyas were othered almost exclusively in the erstwhile province of Natal by imperial Britain. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "The historiography of this Girmit to SA surpasses the imperial excesses described in the rest of the Girmitiya diaspora. 'While not slaves, Girmitiyas were most certainly not free persons - incarcerated in the maelstrom of human despoilation - of our culture, our traditions, our dignity, our religion and language - in a distant land. 'With Africans and Coloureds, Girmitiyas were subjected to legislated racism and other ravages of apartheid,' the centre said. 'Ordinarily, the relaying of the Girmitiya history to the wider population would contribute immensely to social cohesion and the entrenchment of nation-building. 'Since their arrival in Natal in 1860, Girmitiyas have made a stellar contribution to the economy and development of the province and South Africa - initially the sugar industry, then coal mining, railway construction and latterly to healthcare, education and social support structures.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
'Emotional toll of being unemployed is relentless'
Unemployed South African youth are battling depression and low self-esteem. Image: Ron In South Africa, where youth unemployment has reached alarming levels, a quiet crisis is unfolding, one not just of economics, but of identity, anxiety, and emotional survival. For many young people, the struggle to find work is also a battle to stay hopeful. Through the stories of Mia-Mae, a 20-year-old from Cape Town, and Okgethilwe, 23, and the expert insights of professionals from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), we take a look at what it means to be young, unemployed, and trying to hold on to a sense of self. 'If you're broke, you're broken.' For Mia-Mae, the emotional toll of being unemployed is relentless. 'You're left just trying to survive each month. That alone is exhausting,' she says. 'Money really does make the world go around, and without it, you're left just trying to survive each month.' She speaks openly about the fear that creeps in when hope runs low. 'It gets to you,' she admits. 'You start thinking you'll end up on the streets, never getting anywhere, never getting a job. You feel helpless.' Mia-Mae doesn't sugarcoat her hard days. 'I don't really cope. I just sleep and let the day pass,' she says. 'I tell myself I can't do it, even if a small part of me hopes one day I might.' She doesn't compare herself to her peers, but the lack of support has not gone unnoticed. 'Many of them had more support, like parents who could help them through school, guide them, or pay for extra help.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Her self-esteem has taken a serious hit. 'I've let myself go,' she says. 'I used to want to be better, but now, looking for a job feels hopeless. It's like nothing will ever change.' Living alone without a steady income has added layers of stress. 'Nothing comes for free, and if you're broke, you're broken,' she says. 'It's hard to stay motivated when it feels like nothing you do matters.' Even when she tries, rejection can be crushing. 'They feel dark and depressing,' she says of her days. 'I spend a lot of time just thinking of ways to make money, but even when I try, rejection hits hard. It makes things worse.' She also feels the sting of judgment. 'I feel like a disappointment, like I'm just surviving off other people's money,' she shares. Support from her mother and boyfriend provides moments of comfort. 'They remind me that I'm worthy of good things and capable of greatness, even when I don't believe it myself.' Still, opening up is difficult. 'Talking doesn't always help,' she says. 'People can't fix how I feel.' For unemployed youth rejection can be crushing which can lead to depression. Image: Freepik Though she has sought help in the past, it hasn't brought relief. 'None of it helped me, not even a little.' She's aware of organisations offering support, but says: 'I just don't think they can help either.' So what keeps her going? Her answer is as raw as it is honest: 'I'm forced to wake up every day. It's not really a choice.' And yet, even amid the darkness, a faint hope lingers. 'In the next year, I want to get a job, save up for a motorbike, and eventually move into my own apartment. A goal that gives me something, however distant, to reach for.' 'No one is coming to save me' For Okgethilwe, unemployment has been a deeply emotional experience. 'It really knocked my confidence,' he says. 'I stress that not having everything together now makes me look useless to my family and peers. Being unemployed has caused me to belittle myself and become anxious about my own future.' He's battled stress and depression, especially in his pursuit of independence. 'I've often felt like I'm not doing enough, even when I have more support than some of them,' he admits. Social media and streaming platforms proved to be more of a hindrance than an escape. 'I had to shift my focus back to real progress,' he says. 'I had to step back.' Even when comparisons eat at his confidence, he's found strength in self-reflection. 'I've learned what it takes to be part of a team and to keep pushing myself,' he says. 'Being unemployed actually made me more confident in what I can do.' One of his greatest frustrations is the job search itself. 'You can apply to 50 jobs in a day and still hear nothing. There's no guidance, no feedback, nothing to help us improve,' he explains. On top of that, many are simply excluded from opportunity. 'Not everyone has access to resources like data or job platforms, which is a major barrier for many.' Still, he stays focused. 'I'm working hard to become a chef. I do my assignments, practice my skills, and focus on improving myself every day.' Constantly being rejected can take toll on young people. Image: / Freepik Judgment from others stings. 'I felt that others have misunderstood that even though you are staying with or being supported by family, it does not mean that I have decided to waste my time and slack around.' Fortunately, he has a strong support system. 'Because we all believe that the truth is part reality and no matter how painful it is, my mom does not hesitate to hold me accountable for my actions, emotions, character, happiness and peace,' he says. Though he hasn't spoken to a therapist, conversations with loved ones have helped. 'I used to think asking for help meant I didn't know what I wanted, but I've learned I can still grow with support from the people around me.' His mantra now is a declaration of self-responsibility: 'Knowing no one is coming to save me.' Looking forward, he sees possibility. 'With access to technology, online income streams, and business resources, I see more potential now than ever before.' His goals are clear: 'Continue my studies, grow as a chef, and keep working on my mental well-being. I want to be better than I was yesterday, both in the kitchen and in life.' A national issue Mental health professionals at SADAG are seeing the same patterns, stress, burnout, and depression play out across the country. Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, Education Project Manager at SADAG, says the emotional cost of youth unemployment is immense. 'Many young people describe feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, and stuck,' she says. 'It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even depression.' And then there's the shame. 'There's this sense of failure. And when that's paired with poverty or no support, it can even lead to suicidal thoughts.' Registered counsellor Vanishaa Gordhan Narotam agrees. 'There's often a sense of constant worry about the future, which fuels anxiety. And deep feelings of sadness or hopelessness that can spiral into depression,' she says. She adds that the loss of identity is one of the most damaging effects. 'They internalise the idea that they're 'not good enough' or 'failing at life.'' Not all young people have access to emotional support, and that can make all the difference. 'Someone from a stable home might have some financial cushion or emotional backing. For others, especially from low-income households, unemployment becomes a family burden.' But even without money, encouragement helps. 'Being emotionally present can make a world of difference,' Vanishaa says. SADAG encourages young people to reach out. 'Whether it's through our helplines, a local counsellor, or someone they trust, talking helps,' says Parbhoo-Seetha. She also urges young people to find value beyond employment. 'Your value isn't defined by employment. Skills programmes, volunteering, or joining support groups can bring back structure and connection.' Holding on For Mia-Mae and Okgethilwe, as for many others, the struggle isn't just to find work, it's to hold on to themselves in the process. The emotional toll of unemployment is profound, but it's too often overlooked. We must stop measuring worth by productivity, and instead start listening, truly listening, to the experiences of those living through it. Because beneath the silence of unread job applications and quiet days at home are voices that still dream, still hope, and still fight to be heard.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape floods prompt national disaster declaration as death toll surpasses 100
The Gift of the Givers have been involved in the search and rescue operations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape after devastating floods earlier this month claimed more than 100 lives. Image: Supplied The Eastern Cape province is reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed the lives of more than 100 individuals and resulted in damage estimated at billions of rand. The national disaster declaration was announced by Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams on Thursday, following floods earlier this month. Williams said following a comprehensive assessment, the South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to this widespread destruction caused by the severe weather. While the death toll is expected to increase, Williams said as of June 26, 101 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the floods. The youngest victim, an infant of approximately 12 months, was recovered in Mthatha, while the search for two missing children continues. 'Ninety-four have been identified and handed over to their families. Processes are still ongoing to identify the remaining seven bodies.' Of the deceased, 38 are children, and 32 have been identified as pupils, he said. Williams said due to the time that has passed since the start of the disaster, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed, thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased. The MEC said the province is still busy with the first phase of disaster relief, with the immediate response and humanitarian relief. According to Williams, response systems and mechanisms have been activated, and the department has partnered with humanitarian organisations like Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation, as well as private sector entities such as Old Mutual, MTN, Vodacom, local businesses, and supermarkets. He said that through these collaborations, relief support continues to reach communities whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the floods. The Department of Education has started replacing pupil and teacher support materials lost or destroyed in the disaster and providing uniforms to those affected, Williams said. The MEC said that despite the devastation, progress has been made in restoring services. 'The electricity supply has been restored to over 80% of affected customers, with over 95% of the water supply having been restored in OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities, which were the most affected districts,' said Williams. He noted that the floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and livestock. 'The estimated cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is R5.1 billion, with approximately R3.2 billion allocated to various sector departments and R1.8 billion for municipal infrastructure, according to the MISA assessment.' Regarding road infrastructure, he indicated that the estimated repair costs amount to R935 million, with R102 million allocated from the Department of Transport's budget. The MEC said a total of 6,869 households have been affected, of which 4,724 people have been left homeless across the province, except for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality. 'While 2,145 homes were partially damaged, about R461 million is required for temporary residential units,' Williams said, adding that the province has allocated an amount of R120 million in this regard. He said the Department of Human Settlements, in partnership with the OR Tambo District Municipality, has successfully activated mass care shelters, including bed and breakfast facilities and community halls, to provide immediate housing for displaced families in OR Tambo and Inxuba. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Andre Fourie confirmed that rain showers will begin to taper off by Sunday before bringing additional rainfall mid-week. As of Friday and Saturday, Fourie said Cape Town is anticipating a 60% chance of showers, along with a yellow level one warning indicating a minor impact with a medium likelihood of occurrence. He said over the weekend, the rain is expected to diminish significantly, with only a 30% chance of showers along the southern coast of the Western Cape, extending as far as Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Fourie predicted a dry day across the nation on Monday, providing a much-needed respite. Looking ahead, he stated that a new cold front is anticipated to approach the Western Cape by Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to return to both the Western and Eastern Cape on Wednesday, with a low-pressure system predicted to influence South Africa's weather on Thursday. This could lead to showers across the western parts of the Free State and North West provinces as well.
