Siyabonga Mfana has worked with non-profit, the Cart Horse Protection Association, for the past six years. When Siya started running to work, the idea of using his strong legs for...
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Cape Town, South Africa (18 October 2024) — Siyabonga Mfana is preparing to run his first marathon this Sunday as a build-up for his big mission: running the 2025 Comrades to support cart horses working on the Cape Flats!
Siya has worked with the non-profit organisation, the Cart Horse Protection Association (CHPA), for the past six years. Based in Cape Town, CHPA’s top focus is advocating for the welfare of working horses and donkeys, which they do in a myriad of practical ways, including education and training initiatives for owners, clinic services and veterinary care, monitoring the animals, as well as rescues and rehabilitation efforts.
For Siya, it only made sense to dedicate his first marathon to the animals he works with. Siya was already running from Delft to work in Epping to save on taxi fare (beyond himself, Siya is also paying for his sister’s education at culinary school), and so when CHPA team member Megan White asked him if he would consider running the Comrades with the animals they advocate for in mind, he took the opportunity on with open arms and steady legs!
But Siya first needs to test the waters of running a marathon, which he’ll tackle on Sunday as a participant in the Cape Town marathon.
Siya’s fundraiser is already going strong, having raised over 50% of its target already!
The funds will help support CHPA’s services for cart horse welfare while raising awareness for their important cause.
You can support Siya’s marathon fundraisers here.
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]]>South African conservationist Paul Gardiner’s new series ‘Natural Born Runners’ is set to take us on something of a conservation ‘marathon’ across the world! Paul is running all over the...
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Global (15 October 2024) — Conservationist and eco-tourism expert Paul Gardiner is taking us all on the run of multiple lifetimes thanks to his new series, ‘Natural Born Runners’.
Set to launch during the COP16 summit (AKA, the most important biodiversity event that unites eco-leaders across the world), ‘Natural Born Runners’ is set to take us all on a conservation adventure into and through some of the last wilderness areas in the world focused on the theme ‘Peace with Nature’ in line with COP16.
From icy terrains to open grasslands, Paul’s running shoes will take him across the world in a massive effort to learn about what conservationists are getting up to in their effort to prolong species’ environments and lifetimes.
A deep-rooted passion, Paul was born into a family for whom conservation efforts like rewilding were a labour of love. His father was a visionary who transformed Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape into one of the world’s leading conservation success stories; helping reintroduce lions, rhinos and elephants back into their natural habitat.
As such, Paul begins his trek in the Eastern Cape; retracing these efforts. From there, he ventures to Scotland’s Alladale Wilderness Reserve all the way to North America to learn of the inspiring restoration of the American bison there.
‘Natural Born Runners’ will also see him participate in Run Richmond 16.19—a race founded by Oscar-nominated actor and activist Djimon Hounsou (Amistad, Gladiator).
Along for the ride is Paul’s cameraman and aspiring wildlife filmmaker Christian Antoine, who makes up for what he lacks in endurance running through comedy and edutainment.
The series is set to be launched on YouTube as a way to connect with the next generation of nature’s guardians—young people.
“We need to inspire the youth to take ownership of the planet’s future, and YouTube is where they engage,” says Paul.
“If we’re going to make peace with nature, the next generation needs to be at the forefront.”
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