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	<title>Swazi Trails</title>
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	<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz</link>
	<description>Swaziland-based tour and adventure operator</description>
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		<title>Raft Launch</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/raft-launch/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/raft-launch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:40:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[8-man rafts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bulembu Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ceremony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new rafts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[white-water rafting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1450</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We honoured a thousand year old naval tradition recently in Swaziland when we launched our new fleet of 8-man rafts on the Great Usutu River.  This was an extremely sacred and rare ceremony, seldom ever witnessed in Swaziland.  Being a totally landlocked country, we are not renowned as a seafaring nation. However, with as much [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/raft-launch/raft-launch/" rel="attachment wp-att-1451"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1451" title="raft launch" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/raft-launch-150x150.jpg" alt="8-man rafts in Swaziland" width="150" height="150" /></a> We honoured a thousand year old naval tradition recently in Swaziland when we launched our new fleet of <strong>8-man rafts</strong> on the Great Usutu River.  This was an extremely sacred and rare ceremony, seldom ever witnessed in Swaziland.  Being a totally landlocked country, we are not renowned as a seafaring nation.</p>
<p>However, with as much pomp and ceremony as could be mustered on this auspicious occasion, we opened a brand new chapter in the Kingdom&#8217;s water-based travel history when the bottle swung against the bow and the first of our new 8-man rafts slide down the launch ramp and parted the river waters.</p>
<p>OK &#8211; admittedly the launch ramp was only a <strong>muddy river bank</strong> and the traditional champagne bottle was substituted by a bottle of of still water, but we have to work with what we&#8217;ve got, you know! Certainly breaking a glass bottle in the very water that we step into every day with our bare toes wouldn&#8217;t have been smart. And given the superstitions that that gave rise to this<strong> ancient custom</strong>, the fact that our still water wasn&#8217;t just any old still water, but a bottle of the finest Bulembu Water must have carried some weight. Bottled by <a href="http://www.bulembu.org/"><strong>Bulembu Ministries</strong></a> as an income-generating project to support their mission to provide orphans with a better start to life, <a href="http://www.bulembu.org/Learn/TheStrategy/CommunityEnterprise/Water.html"><strong>Bulembu Water</strong></a> is our regular brand of choice for all the right feel-good reasons. It was even suggested by one of the witnesses to this ceremony, that their water could be considered somewhat &#8220;holy&#8221;, given its impeccable credentials and source. But raft guides have their own superstitions and the word &#8220;holy&#8221; (no matter how you spell it) should never be used in the same context as an <strong>inflatable raft</strong>, so that suggestion was cautiously rejected.</p>
<p>So&#8230; splash &#8211; the rafts hit the water amidst as much solemnity as can be mustered from a group of people pysch&#8217;ed to the eyeballs with the prospect of <strong>white-water action</strong> and off we went.</p>
<p>It was only a few minutes later that we realised that we hadn&#8217;t named the blessed boats &#8211; HMS What and what&#8230; were they going to be? Fortunately a bit of Swazi tradition and culture came to our rescue.</p>
<p>&#8220;Places or people are not named straight-away in Swaziland,&#8221; pointed out raft guide Bongani Dlamini,&#8221; we need to observe their characteristics and personality first. We need a defining event to guide us in the naming.&#8221; So with reverence to our <strong>local tradition</strong> of never rushing anything in Swaziland&#8230; we proceeded downstream.</p>
<p>Maybe you the reader will be on a rafting trip in the not-to-distant future that gives rise to a naming event&#8230; an adventure awaits! Join us!</p>
<p><em>For some more background to the rationale of why we&#8217;ve added these bigger rafts to our existing fleet of 2-man rafts &#8211; see our earlier news posting &#8211; <a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/new-rafts/">new rafts</a>.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/raft-launch/8-man-rafts-2nd-fall-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-1471"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1471" title="8-man-rafts-2nd-fall" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/8-man-rafts-2nd-fall2-500x216.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="216" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Swaziland extended border hours</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-extended-border-hours/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-extended-border-hours/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:41:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[border crossing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[border gate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[border post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mahamba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mananga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ngwenya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oshoek]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[times]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With less than three weeks till Christmas day the Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs and their counterparts in South Africa have announced an extension  of the operation hours for three major border posts into Swaziland. With thousands of returning students, workers and tourists this news brings a sigh of relief to most. The three border [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-extended-border-hours/border-crossing/" rel="attachment wp-att-1438"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1438" title="Swazi border crossing" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/border-crossing-150x150.jpg" alt="Border gate Swaziland" width="150" height="150" /></a>With less than three weeks till Christmas day the Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs and their counterparts in South Africa have announced an extension  of the operation hours for three major border posts into Swaziland. With thousands of returning students, workers and tourists this news brings a sigh of relief to most.</p>
<p>The three border posts that will have their hours extended during the festive season are the Ngwenya-Oshoek, Mahamba and Mananga-Border Gate borders.</p>
<p>The scheduled extension hours are:</p>
<ul>
<li>From the 12<sup>th</sup> to the 19<sup>th</sup> December 2011:  Ngwenya/Oshoek will run from 0700hrs to 1200hrs midnight.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>From the 20<sup>th</sup> to the 24<sup>th</sup> December 2011:  Ngwenya/Oshoek will run for 24 hours.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>From the 22<sup>nd</sup> to the 24<sup>th</sup> December 2011: Mahamba border post will run from 0600hrs to 1200hrs midnight.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>From the 20<sup>th</sup> December 2011 to the 2<sup>nd</sup> of January 2012: Mananga border will run from 0700hrs to 2000hrs.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>All other border posts leading into Swaziland will not be affected by the extension and will operate as usual.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Swazi Trails team wishes a safe journey.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Rafts</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/new-rafts/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/new-rafts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[9-man rafts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ARK Inflatables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[croc rafts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crocodiles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family rafting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Great Usutu River]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manzini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[river guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Southern Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teambuilding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[white-water rafting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1425</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today we unwrapped our brand-new 9-man rafts, just in time for the coming summer season. These rafts are considerably larger than the 2-man rafts that we&#8217;ve been using on the Great Usutu River for the past few years, and perhaps a bit more typical of the type of raft used on most rivers internationally. In [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/new-rafts/new-big-rafts/" rel="attachment wp-att-1426"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1426" title="New-big-rafts" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/New-big-rafts-150x150.jpg" alt="Swazi Trails now offer rafting using 9-man rafts" width="150" height="150" /></a>Today we unwrapped our brand-new 9-man rafts, just in time for the coming summer season. These rafts are considerably larger than the 2-man rafts that we&#8217;ve been using on the Great Usutu River for the past few years, and perhaps a bit more typical of the type of raft used on most rivers internationally.</p>
<p>In some ways this is a returning to our roots, as when we opened white-water rafting here in Swaziland in 1991, we only used these larger rafts. Back in those early days we had a good reason for it too, because during our initial trial trips we came to appreciate that the Great Usutu was packed full of crocodiles &#8211; BIG crocodiles.</p>
<p>On average we&#8217;d see three large crocodiles on every trip and on one day when we had someone on board who had really sharp eyesight (Mickey &#8220;Jubela&#8221; Reilly &#8211; if I recall right) we saw a record of eleven monsters. In fact, anything under 3 metres in length wasn&#8217;t even counted as a crocodile, and was dismissed merely as a &#8220;lizard&#8221;.</p>
<p>So the moral of the story was that we didn&#8217;t want to fall out the rafts too often and when we did capsize on occasion, it was an adrenaline-fuelled rush to climb back on board. The problem was however, that these big rafts were only suitable for high-water season, and weren&#8217;t much fun in lower water conditions.</p>
<p>Then in 1992 and 1993, a combination of drought and some heavy poaching by an unidentified individual from Manzini resulted in most of the big crocodiles either moving downstream or being shot out.  Sad though this was environmentally, it did make rafting that much safer.</p>
<p>So we invested in a few 2-man rafts &#8211; popularly known as &#8220;croc rafts&#8221; in Southern Africa (for entirely unrelated reasons!)  These rafts are paddled like canoes with two-bladed paddles, rather than with single-bladed paddles used on bigger rafts.  The smaller rafts are much more responsive and a lot of fun for participants. For a while we ran them side-by-side and on many occasions the large rafts were left unused whilst the 2-man crocs were raved about. In the end when the big rafts got to the end of their lifespan and perished, we decided not to replace them.</p>
<p>So from about 1994 to date we have only offered the 2-man rafts. What this did allow was a longer season and in fact for most years we have been able to raft throughout the year, and we remain one of the few rivers in Southern Africa where this is possible.</p>
<p>However, some market research has indicated that not everyone is confident enough to want to raft on the smaller rafts, where you are largely on your own and responsible for your own action or lack of action, as the case may be. Under this format, river guides lead the trips in their own kayaks and tend to act as &#8220;shepherds&#8221; gently coaxing their &#8220;flock&#8221; or should we say &#8220;flotilla&#8221; downstream.  The larger rafts however, provide an additional measure of safety or peace of mind, in that each raft is manned by a river guide, who issues instructions and who is close at hand to take charge of any situations that may arise. To many persons this added comfort is the difference between participating or not participating &#8211; especially during high-water months.</p>
<p>Our aim at Swazi Trails has always been to offer adventures that are far from &#8220;soft&#8221;, but that are still accessible to any Tom, Dick or Sipho, who has the spirit of adventure, if not the experience or skills to match it . This is particularly relevant with the corporate team-building groups that we regularly have on-river. So we&#8217;ve decided to go back to our original plan of offering a choice. Rafters on the Great Usutu River will now be able to choose paddling on a two-man croc raft or a 9-man large raft.  It is however likely that the larger rafts will be tucked away during the low-water winter months and conversely that during &#8220;stonking&#8221; high-water that we will restrict participation to just the big boats for control purposes.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re curious &#8211; all our rafts are manufactured in Cape Town by <a href="http://www.ark.co.za/" target="_blank">African River Kraft</a> or ARK Inflatables as they are now better known. Our new rafts are part of their NILE KN series and we opted for the larger KN430 model. These rafts are famous for having been the boat of choice for the Camel White-Water Rafting World Champs, during the hey-day of this event.</p>
<p>ARK claim that they make &#8220;unsinkable inflatables&#8221;. If that appeals to you, please join us on the Great Usutu River. Our new larger rafts are ideal for family rafting, corporate group rafting, and those for whom paddling a boat all on your own for the first time may be a bit daunting. Come join the adventure!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>*and to answer the inevitable question about crocodiles in today&#8217;s times: well, what can we say? They are still there, but they&#8217;re only lizards!</p>
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		</item>
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		<title>Guiding the extra mile</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/guiding-the-extra-mile/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/guiding-the-extra-mile/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:03:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ground operator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guided tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Information and assistance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandile Mashaba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swazi Trails]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tour company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tour guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tour guiding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1412</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Obviously as a ground-operator and tour company in Swaziland, one of our core responsibilities is to provide competent and responsible tour guides and drivers. Whilst tour operators in many places in the world rely on part-time or temporary staff, our approach has been to provide full-time employment. This means that we  have a very close [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/guiding-the-extra-mile/sandile-mashaba/" rel="attachment wp-att-1413"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1413" title="sandile-mashaba" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/sandile-mashaba-150x150.jpg" alt="Swazi Trails Tour Guide" width="150" height="150" /></a>Obviously as a <strong>ground-operator and tour company</strong> <strong>in Swaziland</strong>, one of our core responsibilities is to provide competent and responsible tour guides and drivers. Whilst tour operators in many places in the world rely on part-time or temporary staff, our approach has been to provide full-time employment. This means that we  have a very close relationship with our staff and we share in their successes and failures.</p>
<p>Being in business now for over 24 years now, we&#8217;ve  learnt that disciplined and strict controls are essential to maintain <strong>high standards of operation</strong>.  But on the other hand, passion and genuine enthusiasm are the key ingredients for  delivering a memorable service. Sometimes it is difficult to combine both personality traits in one person.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve seen many faces come and go&#8230; and just a few stay and grow.   Being a <strong>successful tour guide</strong> takes a lot of energy and understanding.  It is easy to slip into a mechanical process of  pick-up, drop-off, say this, say that without any connection being formed with those you are guiding.  One person who has consistently managed the balance of being disciplined, yet enthusiastic is Sandile Mashaba.</p>
<p>Sandile is enjoying his second stint with Swazi Trails now and has been with us for a collective period of 8 years.   He is a particularly valuable member of our team.   Whilst he is not what we&#8217;d call a chatterbox and one who has the &#8220;gift of the gab&#8221;, Sandile delivers <strong>local information and assistance</strong> in measured and well-thought out English.  He is also able to draw a lot from his many years as a game ranger and his rural upbringing. He is also a problem-solver <em>par excellence</em>. It is extremely rare that his supply of services is not followed by a letter of appreciation, just like below.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote><p>7th November 2011</p>
<p>Dear Swazi Trails,</p>
<p>Our journey through the High, the Middle and the Low Veld is over now and after our one week trip with Sandile we would like to share our feedback with you.</p>
<p>Maren and I and the whole travel group have been absolutely happy and satisfied with Sandile as our driver and guide. He has been friendly, open, reliable and always in time – and we know that especially the last feature is not common in Swaziland. And, last but not least, he is a hard working and absolutely skilled driver.</p>
<p>As our trip wasn’t a normal tourist event it has been of great importance that we had such a good and caring partner. It was a pleasure to spend all that time with him. Please tell him that we all have had a good and happy time with him!!!</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Lutz Sonius</p>
<p>Ökumenische Diakonie</p>
<p>Referent Stiftung &#8220;Brot für die Welt&#8221;</p>
<p>Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Werbung</p>
<p>Stuttgart</p></blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>So we&#8217;d like to take our hat off to Sandile for <strong>&#8220;guiding the extra mile&#8221;</strong> and consistently making Swazi Trails proud.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Nyokamakhandakhanda</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/nyokamakhandakhanda/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/nyokamakhandakhanda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:44:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ezulwini Valley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mantenga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mlilwane]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monsters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[myth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seven-headed snake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tradition]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From time to time we &#8220;disappear&#8221; off the global network here in Swaziland&#8230; the phones don&#8217;t ring, emails aren&#8217;t answered, our skype button says we are &#8220;away&#8221; and we don&#8217;t respond to sms&#8217;s or mobile phone calls.  As a business that prides itself as being available 7 days a week, this is a painful scenario [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/nyokamakhandakhanda/nyokamakhanda/" rel="attachment wp-att-1404"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1404" title="Nyokamakhandakhanda" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Nyokamakhanda-150x150.jpg" alt="Swazi Myth of the seven-headed snake" width="150" height="150" /></a>From time to time we &#8220;disappear&#8221; off the global network here in Swaziland&#8230; the phones don&#8217;t ring, emails aren&#8217;t answered, our skype button says we are &#8220;away&#8221; and we don&#8217;t respond to sms&#8217;s or mobile phone calls.  As a business that prides itself as being available 7 days a week, this is a painful scenario for us here at <strong>Swazi Trails</strong>.</p>
<p>Today was one of those days&#8230; the day after the <strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda</em></strong> wreaked havoc&#8230; again.</p>
<p>In fact, it would probably be wise to take a page from Harry Potter and Co. and refer to this beast as &#8220;You-Know-Who&#8221; or &#8220;He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named&#8221;  just in case the mere use of his name brings another night of havoc and destruction.</p>
<p>Last night at about 21h00 the <del><strong><em></em></strong></del><strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda </em></strong>left his lair at the base of Mantenga Waterfall. These beasts typically live at the base of waterfalls and in deep dark pools of water at various locations in Swaziland. Whether its a whole family of them, or just one big daddy, who, like His Majesty the King, has a couple of residences dotted here and there, one can&#8217;t really tell.</p>
<p>What we can be sure of however, is that last night he set off from Mantenga, a little side valley just off the well known Ezulwini Valley. The path of destruction started from there and swung up through Ezulwini past Mbabane, the Swazi capital and then down towards Pine Valley in the north.</p>
<p>Most of the Mantenga area is a nature reserve, in fact you can even book to stay there &#8211; it has a very comfortable<strong> <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Mantenga_Cultural_Village_and_Nature_Reserve" target="_blank">bush camp</a></strong> just downstream from the falls.  The waterfall itself  lies partly on this reserve and partly on <strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Mlilwane_Wildlife_Sanctuary" target="_blank">Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary</a></strong> &#8211; a neighbouring reserve.  The fact that the <strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda</em></strong>  has chosen a spot like this to hide out speaks clearly of his intelligence. Having such a prestigious address makes him a &#8220;protected species&#8221; which cannot be hunted or disturbed.  Just ask those 3 rhino poachers, who crossed the border into Swaziland recently, what happens to those who meddle with a our specially protected wildlife.  The short answer is: they got shipped back to South Africa in body bags.</p>
<p>That our game rangers and police are so sharp when it comes to wildlife protection, must be of comfort to the <strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda</em></strong> &#8211; as he sure isn&#8217;t as popular as a rhino.  Last night for example, he caused the lights to flicker a bit first, whilst he started to blow up a storm.  Then we were plunged into darkness, the whole of Ezulwini, Lobamba, Malkerns, Mbabane and beyond. We&#8217;re not talking a simple blown fuse here &#8211; he plonked fully mature trees down across electricity lines like they were matchsticks. It took a whole squad of SEC technicians the whole of today to get the grid back up. Some areas are still without power 24 hours after the big blow.</p>
<p>At the junction of Mantenga&#8217;s Cultural Village Road it looks like he snagged himself on a street lamp. The metal pole is twisted around and bent double. We&#8217;re not talking a little neighbourhood pole here &#8211; this is a 30m high main road overhead light.  This type of destruction is always the first clue when trying to differentiate between the effects of a bad thunderstorm and the effects of a bad-tempered <strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda</em></strong>. Since when is a wind able to blow over a straight pole?  The fiercest wind just whistles around a pole, whilst the evidence we have is of a far greater force.</p>
<p>This little street pole &#8220;snag&#8221; must have really pee&#8217;d him off &#8216;cos he took a 90-degree left and whalloped The Gables Shopping Centre. Outside Movie Zone looked like a war zone, and patrons emerged to find a tangle of roofing squarely deposited on top of their cars.  The Clicks branch lost its entire front glass window &#8211; we kid you not &#8211; faster and more comprehensively than a 100 hoodies from Tottenham could ever hope to achieve.  The beast then separated KFC from its facade, which was left hanging down at a sorry angle like those greasy, tossed-take-away boxes this business leaves us with in every gutter.</p>
<p>Clearly not satisfied the <strong><em>Nyokamakhandakhanda</em></strong> headed straight up through Ezulwini, placing trees on roofs, flattening fences and knocking signs down. The Swazi Trails road sign wasn&#8217;t spared. We&#8217;ve got (had) a  metal sign of the brown and reflective white tourism style. It has (had) two sturdy metal legs and is (was) concreted into the ground. We found it left flat to the ground, the poles simply folded over more than 90-degrees. Again, what wind can blow a sign flat-flat? Surely physics dictates that after bending to a certain angle the force on the surface area becomes negligible and the bending will stop. When we went to tidy-up the mess we couldn&#8217;t even move the poles despite all efforts &#8211; it took a angle-grider to cut them off.  Then again&#8230; we are not talking about normal physics here!</p>
<p>The cell phone network took a dive, landlines lived up to their name and hit the earth and  with that we said good-bye to data, the internet and the rest of the world.  Many road-side traders also said good-bye to their shacks and stalls.  Then in the morning the day dawned clear and bright. Not sign of the destructive forces that had us huddling awake in our beds half the night.</p>
<p>Sometimes the beast comes back for a second round of destruction, but last night he went out and didn&#8217;t return&#8230; we reckon he&#8217;s currently at Mantsholo &#8211; watch-out Mbabane residents &#8211; tie-down your roofs&#8230; the seven-headed snake is restless.</p>
<blockquote><p>What is a Nyokamakhandakhanda?</p>
<p><em>Nyoka</em> means &#8220;snake&#8221; in Siswati, and <em>khanda</em> means &#8220;head&#8221;. <em>Khanda-khanda</em> implies many heads. It is a mythical Swazi beast&#8230; a seven-headed snake. But like many things in Swaziland, where does myth end and reality start?</p></blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>DSTV Subscribers have fun in Swaziland</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/dstv-subscribers-have-fun-in-swaziland/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/dstv-subscribers-have-fun-in-swaziland/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:51:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canopy Tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[casino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DSTV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ezulwini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Happy Valley Hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[white-water rafting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Why Not disco]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1359</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just recently we combined forces with Status Hotel&#8217;s Happy Valley Hotel to offer DSTV&#8217;s South African subscribers a great weekend break in Swaziland. The lucky prize-winners got to stay at the glitzy Happy Valley Hotel and Casino, which provided some evening fun, whilst the Malolotja Canopy Tour and our Swazi Trails white-water rafting kept them [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1360" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/dstv-subscribers-have-fun-in-swaziland/swazi-trails-canopy-tour/"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1360" title="Swazi-Trails-Canopy-Tour" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Swazi-Trails-Canopy-Tour-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Just recently we combined forces with Status Hotel&#8217;s <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Happy_Valley_Resort_and_Casino" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Happy Valley Hotel</strong></span></a> to offer <a href="http://www.dstv.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DSTV&#8217;s</span></strong></a> South African subscribers a great weekend break in Swaziland. The lucky prize-winners got to stay at the glitzy Happy Valley Hotel and Casino, which provided some evening fun, whilst the <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Canopy_Tour_Swaziland" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Malolotja Canopy Tour</strong></span></a> and our <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/White_Water_Rafting_Half_Day" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Swazi Trai</strong></span></a><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/White_Water_Rafting_Half_Day" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ls white-water rafting</strong></span></a> kept them very busy during the day.</p>
<p>The report back was that it was really good fun! See this quick 50 second &#8211; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8kEcHnUes">Swaziland DSTV Group video clip</a></strong></span>.</p>
<p>Its amazing how a just a short little clip is such a great reminder of the <strong>what Swaziland has to offer</strong>. Particularly for travellers from Gauteng, Swaziland really is an easily weekend or long-weekend break. The border is only 3.5 hours from most places in Johannesburg and Pretoria and even closer for those on the East Rand. Then, being a really compact country, Swaziland is easy to traverse, west to east, or north to south. There is hardly a corner of the country that can&#8217;t be reached within 1.5-2 hours drive.</p>
<p>The Ezulwini Valley is obviously a popular place to stay. From its original rural tourism roots the valley is now largely suburban, with great facilities, amenities and access to attractions. The valley is bordered by Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Mantenga Nature Reserve on the east and the sacred Mdzimba Mountains to the west.</p>
<p>There are plenty of accommodation options in Ezulwini, with the <strong>Happy Valley Resort</strong> being a really good choice. The hotel has a long-long history in the valley and was renowned for its somewhat dodgy nightclub the infamous <strong>Why Not Disco</strong>. Old-timers however won&#8217;t even recognise it &#8211; the place has been <strong>totally revamped</strong>, a casino added and its certainly <strong>the shinest and most chic venue</strong> in the valley now. If you don&#8217;t believe us &#8211; just have a look at this <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Happy_Valley_Resort_and_Casino/accm_photo_gallery" target="_blank">Happy Valley Hotel photo gallery</a></strong></span>.</p>
<h1><strong>What did you do today? </strong></h1>
<h1><strong>What are you doing tomorrow?</strong></h1>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Gauteng Outdoor Adventure Show</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/gauteng-outdoor-adventure-show/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/gauteng-outdoor-adventure-show/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:36:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gauteng Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[packages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prizes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sho't Ride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swazi Trails]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland Tourism Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weekend breaks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Swazi Trails is on safari this weekend, exhibiting at the Gauteng Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo at the Inanda Country Base near Kyalami. The show starts Friday the 10th June and closes on Sunday the 12th. We&#8217;re exhibiting on the Swaziland stand, alongside the Big Game Parks of Swaziland and the Swaziland Tourism Authority. So [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1350" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/gauteng-outdoor-adventure-show/outdoor-adventure-show/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1350" title="Outdoor-Adventure-Show" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Outdoor-Adventure-Show.jpg" alt="Find us this weekend at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Gauteng" width="750" height="258" /></a>Swazi Trails is on safari this weekend, exhibiting at the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.outdoorexpo.co.za/gauteng/index.htm">Gauteng Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo</a></strong></span> at the Inanda Country Base near Kyalami. The show starts Friday the 10th June and closes on Sunday the 12th. We&#8217;re exhibiting on the Swaziland stand, alongside the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.biggameparks.org">Big Game Parks of Swaziland</a></strong></span> and the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.welcometoswaziland.com">Swaziland Tourism Authority.</a></strong></span></p>
<p>So if you&#8217;re in the area and looking for some <strong>inspiration for your next holiday</strong> &#8211; why not pop in and see Anita and Nombulelo on our stand. Apart from brochures and the usual promotional goodies we&#8217;re given away <strong>prizes to the value of about ZAR 8 000.00</strong>, which (I&#8217;ll give you a quick inside tip) comes with a very favourable chance of winning. Generally only only 200-300 people sign-up for most of the various show competitions, so if you go stand-to-stand and tackle a whole raft of them&#8230; then your chances of going home with a prize is usually quite good.</p>
<p>As usual we are punting some of our <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/swaziland-packages"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sho&#8217;t Ride packages</strong></span></a>, which is a joint effort between <strong>Swazi Trails</strong> and the <strong>Big Game Parks</strong> to package an affordable array of weekend breaks. In fact, our competition question is: <strong>How far is the drive from Gauteng to the Swazi border?</strong> The answer is no secret: <strong>3.5 hours</strong>, which really is the main message we want to deliver to the Gauteng market &#8211; <strong><em>Swaziland is just a sho&#8217;t ride away.</em></strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Swaziland Rhino Poaching Arrest</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-rhino-poaching-arrest/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-rhino-poaching-arrest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Game Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hlane Royal National Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[King Mswati III]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lukhosi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mkhaya Game Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ngwenya glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ngwenya Rhino Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poachers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhino conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhino poaching Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1327</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Double good news today! Within 3 days of a rhino having been poached in Swaziland&#8217;s Hlane Royal National Park, the Swaziland Police had already arrested suspects. The second piece of good news is that the missing calf that escaped from the slaughter has been found alive and well. Swaziland has a proud conservation record, particularly [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-1339" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-rhino-poaching-arrest/rhino-mother-and-calf/"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1339" title="Rhino-mother-and-calf" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Rhino-mother-and-calf-150x150.jpg" alt="A mother rhiono and calf at Hlane Royal National Park, Swaziland" width="150" height="150" /></a>Double good news today!</strong> Within 3 days of a rhino having been poached in Swaziland&#8217;s <strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Hlane_Royal_National_Park" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hlane Royal National Park</span></a>,</strong> the Swaziland Police had already arrested suspects. The second piece of good news is that the missing calf that escaped from the slaughter has been found alive and well.</p>
<p>Swaziland has a <strong>proud conservation record</strong>, particularly when it comes <strong>rhino conservation</strong>.  This pride has been built on the success of having halted rampant rhino poaching in the early 1990&#8242;s against almost impossible odds. The Kingdom received a rude jolt last week when the <strong>first rhino poached in over 20 years</strong> was found butchered and de-horned by poachers in one of the country&#8217;s national protected areas.</p>
<p>Front page news in today&#8217;s <em><strong><a href="http://www.times.co.sz" target="_blank">Times of Swaziland</a></strong></em> stated that the Lubombo Unit of the Police Serious Crimes Unit, known as <em>Lukhosi</em> had:</p>
<blockquote><p>arrested a traditional healer who is also a reverend at a red gown church and his nephew in connection with the incident. Matjekwane Mahlalela (56) and his nephew Mciniseli Matsebula(24) were separately rounded up on Monday after intense investigations by a joint operation by the Lubombo Lukhozi and the Simunye , Tshaneni and Lomahasha Criminal Investigations Departments (ClD). The two men have been charged with contravening the Game Act for allegedly killing an animal protected as Royal Game. Matsebula was the first to be arrested on Monday and his nephew Mahlalela, who is also a Reverend of the Kashewula Red<br />
Gown Sect, was rounded up in the afternoon. The police are alleged to have also found the two men in possession of two high velocity hunting rifles, a .303 and .22, which are suspected to have been used in the killing of the rhino. Information gathered is that the  police did not find the horns at the homestead as they are suspected to have been smuggled to South Africa.</p></blockquote>
<p>The story was filed by the Time&#8217;s Musa Nhleko. Read the <a href="http://www.times.co.sz/News/29330.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">full report here.</span></strong></a> This local paper, the widest circulation daily publication in Swaziland, has been following the case closely and has being giving vent to the public outrage that has surrounded this conservation issue. Editorial comments, letters to the Editor, statements gathered from all quarters, including the Minister of Tourism, Senior Police Officers and the Swaziland National Trust Commission have all <strong>unified national support</strong> behind rhino conservation. It has also been the carrier of countrywide advertisements of a <strong>R 10 000.00 reward for information </strong>leading to the arrest of the poachers.</p>
<p>The casual observer may wonder <strong>why this matter is so important</strong> to Swazis, given that the country is more often in the news for its humanitarian crises, particularly the impact of HIV/Aids and poverty on the Kingdom&#8217;s largely rural population. Why is it worthy of front page news, <strong>why do Swazis care</strong> about animals that can&#8217;t be eaten or consumed in any form?</p>
<p>The issue boils down to <strong>national pride</strong>. Swaziland has been able to hold her head high in international circles due to the sterling efforts of its game rangers and the <strong>decisive actions</strong> taken by the country&#8217;s leadership, particularly <strong>His Majesty King Mswati III</strong>, who put his full weight behind tightening the Kingdom&#8217;s wildlife protection legislation. <strong>Rhino are listed as Royal Game</strong> in Swaziland, which affords them the highest level of protection of any species in Swaziland. That this is important to Swazis is not only because we are cognisant of the role of wildlife in our own African heritage, but because we are well aware of our <strong>global responsibility to protect endangered species</strong>.</p>
<p>So it is with little surprise that a <strong>quick arrest</strong> has been made. Another thing about Swaziland, that the foreign observer may not fully appreciate, is that our local communities are very close-knit. Little goes on in rural villages without observation of one form or another. Its why our <strong>levels of crime in Swaziland are much lower</strong> than would otherwise be the case, looking at neighbouring countries, and why foreign criminals and criminal syndicates fail to really take root here. Criminal activity tends to be quickly exposed.</p>
<p>That the arrested duo are from the Shewula community, which is actively involved in nature conservation in Swaziland through their participation in the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.lubomboconservancy.org/">Lubombo Conservancy</a></span></strong>, must be a point of some embarrassment to Chief Mbandzamane Sifundza. However, and details are yet to emerge on how the suspects were fingered, one hopes that it was exactly that commitment to nature conservation within the community that led to the arrest of these &#8220;bad apples&#8221;. Shewula is a full and founder member of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.lubomboconservancy.org/">Lubombo Conservancy</a></strong></span>, having dedicated a large tract of land, the Shewula Nature Nature Reserve situated on the Lubombo escarpment, to the over 60 000ha area that includes Hlane Royal National Park, Mlawula Nature Reserve, Mbuluzi Nature Reserve and a government SISA ranch.</p>
<p>Shewula have their own tourism facility, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Shewula_Mountain_Camp" target="_blank">Shewula Mountain Camp</a></strong></span>, that gives visitors access to this community nature reserve and an unsurpassed view out over the entire area, including <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Hlane_Royal_National_Park" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Hlane Royal National Park. </strong></span></a></p>
<p>That the missing calf has been found is equally positive news, because in pursuit of protecting endangered species such as rhino, each individual animal counts. Swaziland has a <strong>unique genetic pool</strong>, particularly of black rhino, and the ability of park authorities to raise, breed and spread these animals to other protected areas is essential for the overall species survival. Rhino in swaziland are managed by the Big Game Parks conservation body, a private-public entity, that includes management of <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Hlane_Royal_National_Park" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Hlane Royal National Park</strong></span></a>, <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Mkhaya_Game_Reserve_for_Endangered_Species" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mkhaya Game Reserve</strong></span></a> and <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Mlilwane_Wildlife_Sanctuary" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></span></a>.</p>
<p>The quick arrest and the surviving calf may be soothing to heart and head of those concerned about rhino conservation, but it is worth remembering that neighbouring South Africa is loosing a rhino a day on average. That kind of onslaught would wipe out rhino in Swaziland within months. There is need to keep our vigilance at the highest levels. So, as raised in our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/rhino-poaching-swaziland/" target="_blank">earlier commentary</a></strong></span> on this matter, what can interested observers do to support the park&#8217;s authorities. Our suggestions are:</p>
<p>Firstly &#8211; <strong>visit our parks in Swaziland</strong>. Our parks have a continual struggle with finance and are largely sustained out of gate revenue and visitor receipts.  If we don&#8217;t visit and willingly pay to use these facilities they will not be sustainable. Simple maths, simple solution &#8211; full stop.</p>
<p>Secondly, fund-raise or contribute financially either as an individual or as a corporate entity. The <a href="http://www.biggameparks.org"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Big Game Parks of Swaziland</strong></span></a> have a long-established fund that is the appropriate channel for public donations. See details of the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/ngwenya-rhino-elephant-fund/" target="_blank">Ngwenya Rhino and Elephant Fund</a></span></strong>.</p>
<p>Thirdly, help keep conservation issues in the public domain through <strong>public comments of support</strong>. Responsible comments are the most useful in this sphere, as no matter how emotional the cause may be, <strong>poachers are human</strong> and suffer from the same corruption of good reason and morals that happen to many of us in other forms. There is some extremely misguided effort in certain quarters to portray game rangers as being callous killers of poachers. <strong>Rangers need support and encouragement</strong> to do their work openly, proudly and without fear.</p>
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		<title>Ngwenya Rhino &amp; Elephant Fund</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/ngwenya-rhino-elephant-fund/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/ngwenya-rhino-elephant-fund/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:49:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Game Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ngwenya Rhino Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhino conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Swaziland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1329</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Ngwenya Rhino Fund is administered by Big Game Parks of Swaziland. It was originally established by Swaziland&#8217;s iconic Ngwenya Glass business for the purpose of supporting rhino conservation in Swaziland in 1989. The fund account was set up to receive donations from a percentage of sales of all Ngwenya Glass products and has been [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1331" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/ngwenya-rhino-elephant-fund/black-rhino-swaziland/"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1331" title="black-rhino-swaziland" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/black-rhino-swaziland-150x150.jpg" alt="A black rhino at Swaziland's Mkhaya Game Reserve" width="150" height="150" /></a>The <strong>Ngwenya Rhino Fund</strong> is administered by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.biggameparks.org" target="_blank">Big Game Parks of Swaziland</a></strong></span>. It was originally established by Swaziland&#8217;s iconic <a href="http://www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ngwenya Glass</strong></span></a> business for the purpose of supporting rhino conservation in Swaziland in 1989.</p>
<p>The fund account was set up to receive donations from a percentage of sales of all Ngwenya Glass products and has been maintained for the specific purpose of receiving donated funds for conservation projects ever since.</p>
<p>Corporate or individual public donations, no matter how small, can be directed to this account.  The account details are:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Account name:</strong> Ngwenya Rhino Fund</li>
<li><strong>Bank: </strong> Nedbank (Swaziland) Limited</li>
<li><strong>Account #: </strong>020-0000-20053  (Current a/c)</li>
<li><strong>Branch:</strong> Mbabane</li>
<li><strong>Branch Code:</strong> 360164</li>
<li><strong>Swift Address:</strong> NESWSZMX</li>
</ul>
<p>For your donation to be acknowledged kindly send a proof of payment to <a href="mailto:beasties@biggameparks.org" target="_blank">Fund Administrator </a>with a covering email detailing your name and contact details.</p>
<p>More details from the <a href="http://www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz/history.html" target="_blank">Ngwenya Glass website</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>As if willing the survival of the wildlife species that inspire their craftsmen to produce works of art;  in 1989 <strong>Ngwenya Glass </strong> launched the Kingdom of Swaziland&#8217;s most successful wildlife  conservation fund. by donating a  percentage of profits from its  worldwide sales.  Known as the <strong>Ngwenya Rhino &amp; Elephant Fund </strong>, its proceeds go directly to <strong>Mkhaya Game Reserve, </strong> a refuge for endangered species in the Swaziland lowveld.  Since the  establishment of this fund, generous donations have been received from  the likes of:   The British Government; The European Union;  W.W.F.  (World Wildlife Fund of South Africa and the Netherlands);  Doctor Felix  Schnier;  Aide Environmen;  Engen,  and His Royal Highness, Prince  Bernhard of the Netherlands (who was an avid fan of Mkhaya and a regular  visitor to the Kingdom of Swaziland!).</p></blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1330" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/ngwenya-rhino-elephant-fund/ngwenya-glass-logo/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1330" title="ngwenya glass logo" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ngwenya-glass-logo.png" alt="Ngwenya Glass Swaziland" width="400" height="80" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Rhino poaching Swaziland</title>
		<link>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/rhino-poaching-swaziland/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/rhino-poaching-swaziland/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Big Game Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[de-horning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[game rangers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hlane Royal National Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[King Mswati III]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mkhaya Game Reserve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poachers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhino poaching Swaziland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhino populations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rhino War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rhinoceros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ted Reilly]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/?p=1287</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The death of a female rhino poached in Swaziland&#8217;s Hlane Royal National Park marks the sad re-emergence of rhino poaching in the Swazi Kingdom. This killing and bloody de-horning took place on Friday night the 3rd of June 2011. It ends a period of relative peace, which has lasted for over 20 years, since the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1291" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/rhino-poaching-swaziland/white-rhino-poached/"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1291" title="white-rhino-poached" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/white-rhino-poached-150x150.jpg" alt="Rhino poaching Swaziland" width="150" height="150" /></a>The death of a female rhino poached in Swaziland&#8217;s <a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Hlane_Royal_National_Park"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hlane Royal National Park</span></strong></a> marks the sad re-emergence of rhino poaching in the Swazi Kingdom. This killing and bloody de-horning took place on Friday night the 3rd of June 2011. It ends a period of relative peace, which has lasted for over 20 years, since the infamous Rhino War of the early 1990&#8242;s when Swaziland&#8217;s rhinoceros population was decimated by poaching.</p>
<p>Whilst the loss of a single rhino in Swaziland may pale in global  significance to the overall slaughter of this species elsewhere in Africa, what it  does mean is that Swaziland will need to act fast to prevent its  relatively small populations from being wiped out totally.  In neighbouring South Africa, home to the largest remaining rhino concentrations, animals are currently being lost at a rate of close to one rhino every day. Losses at anything similar to that rate would wipe out Swaziland&#8217;s rhino before even this winter season was over.</p>
<p>Rhino first became extinct in Swaziland some time after the turn of the last century (early 1900&#8242;s) and it wasn&#8217;t until the efforts of conservationist Ted Reilly in the 1960&#8242;s, that they were returned to the Kingdom. The country&#8217;s slowly growing population  again came close to extinction from a sustained poaching onslaught in the early 1990&#8242;s. The almost bankrupt private and national parks authorities were at that saved by both timely international donations and a revolutionary change in local wildlife legislation. Both were facilitated by His Majesty King Mswati III, who is the patron of Swaziland&#8217;s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.biggameparks.org">Big Game Parks</a></strong></span>.  Above all, the efforts of a very dedicated corps of Swazi rangers turned the tide and slaughter was halted.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that parks authorities are hoping for quick arrests in this recent poaching case, so as to deliver a clear message that the risks far outweigh the illicit rewards of commercial rhino poaching.  A reward for information has been posted, amounting to E 10 000.00, and it is hoped that that this, as much as patriotic support for Swaziland&#8217;s much-loved wildlife amongst communities will bring forth results.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-1316" href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/rhino-poaching-swaziland/poached-rhino-img_4491v3/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1316" title="Poached rhino Hlane Royal National Park Swaziland" src="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swazitrails/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Poached-rhino-IMG_4491v3.jpg" alt="The scurge of rhino poaching returned to Swaziland in June 2011" width="675" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Apart from its contribution to the global preservation of this high profile member of the legendary Big 5, Swaziland&#8217;s conservation efforts at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Hlane_Royal_National_Park">Hlane Royal National Park</a></strong></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.swazi.travel/Mkhaya_Game_Reserve_for_Endangered_Species">Mkhaya Game Reserve</a></strong></span> have resulted in rhino viewing being one of the Kingdom&#8217;s main safari draw cards.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Rhino viewing in Swaziland is unsurpassed,&#8221; comments Swazi Trails director Darron Raw, &#8220;and it features strongly in many of our tour and safari itineraries. They are are signature species that attract a lot of attention. This attention provides much-needed gate revenue for an umbrella of conservation activities that spread out to benefit many less well-known species. Their protection is essential.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>The warnings have been there. As recently as the 24th of March 2011, parks authorities warned that an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.times.co.sz/News/27043.html">increase in poaching activity</a></strong></span> was a potential threat to rhino security. Just a mere two months after that their fears have been confirmed. Whilst the early rhino wars were often waged against small-scale poachers, the new threats are far more sophisticated with much of the rhino poaching in South Africa attributed to well-financed gangs with access to high-powered weapons and even helicopters.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;For the last two weeks I have been helping my daughter research her Grade 3 school project,&#8221; reveals Raw on a personal aside, &#8220;her chosen topic being the Rhinoceros. We had proudly noted that Swaziland was so far holding out against the poaching menace &#8211; but today I broke the news to her that she&#8217;d need to re-write that page.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Why Daddy &#8211; why to people do that to rhinos?&#8221; she asked surveying the bloodied image of the carcass.</p>
<p>&#8220;How does one explain the callousness of financial greed to an 8-year old, I thought&#8221; said Raw, &#8220;or the overall arrogance and short-sightedness of human disregard for the environment that supports us. I just hope I&#8217;m not having to explain the total extinction of rhino to my grandchildren in this life-time &#8211; that would be even harder to stomach.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>To the concerned, but otherwise armchair-bound conservationist it would  seem that rhino poaching is almost out-of-control&#8230; and that our parks  authorities in Africa are loosing control. The question arises &#8211; what can we do? Swazi Trails suggests the following actions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Visit your local conservation areas. Most are cash-strapped and reliant on tourism receipts. Your visitation does make a difference. Visit as a family, visit as a school activity, visit as a corporate outing &#8211; just get out there and make your presence count.</li>
<li>Fund-raise for and donate to recognised rhino conservation initiatives.</li>
<li>Show public support for rangers and conservation authorities. Defending animals in a world that is dominated by emotional human rights demands is an often thankless task. Let&#8217;s keep our game rangers motivated.</li>
</ol>
<p>The sad story of Swaziland&#8217;s return to the horrors of commercial rhino poaching was initially broken by local newspaper the Times of Swaziland &#8211; to read more see their report here: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.times.co.sz/News/29227.html">Rhino shot dead at Hlane Royal National Park.</a></strong></span></p>
<p>For an update on this post &#8211; please visit &#8211; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.swazitrails.co.sz/swaziland-rhino-poaching-arrest/"><strong>Rhino Poaching Arrests</strong></a><strong><br />
</strong></span></p>
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