31 March 2020
Coronavirus pandemic: Mozambique has declared a State of Emergency for 30 days!
The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, has declared the State of Emergency for 30 days from 01 April 2020 on midnight due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During the period, the movement of individuals in Mozambique will be limited and all kinds of public and private meetings, such as sports, cultural activities and religious ceremonies, will be prohibited. The President also declared mandatory 14-day quarantine for all people who have travelled outside Mozambique during the past month. President Nyusi did not mention how e.g. the restrictions on people's movement will be enforced, but referred to the country's Cabinet, which will announce further details of Mozambique's measures to curb the spread the coronavirus during the State of Emergency.
Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana has declared a State of Emergency for 28 days!
The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has declared a State of Emergency for 28 days starting from the 02 April 2020 at midnight due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During this period, all individuals in Botswana will be expected to adhere to a more severe form of social distancing*. Movement out of the home is only restricted to those performing essential services and transporting essential goods. Those involved will be permitted to travel using the COVID-19 TRAVEL PERMIT that will be issued by Government. According to President Masisi, the measures are taken to limit the spread of the diseases that are transmitted among humans.
*By social distancing Botswana's Government refers to any public measure taken to reduce interaction and contact between persons.
*By social distancing Botswana's Government refers to any public measure taken to reduce interaction and contact between persons.
Namibia: National Parks are open to visitors! [update]
update (20 April 2020): Namibia's national parks will be closed for the duration of the lockdown until 05 May 2020 in compliance with the state of emergency declared by the President in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has confirmed that the country's National Parks are open for business for people who still want to visit despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the presidential directive to all government workers and the private sector to temporarily operate from home. According to MET spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, employees of the Ministry in the National Parks "are following all the measures that were put in place by the state – no gatherings of more than 10 people – in addition to all the other activities that were discouraged and other preventative measures". [src.]
The Park Rangers in Namibia's National Parks are listed under "critical services" by the Government and are therefore continuing to fulfill their duties as usual, while MET office staff are attending to work from home.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has confirmed that the country's National Parks are open for business for people who still want to visit despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the presidential directive to all government workers and the private sector to temporarily operate from home. According to MET spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, employees of the Ministry in the National Parks "are following all the measures that were put in place by the state – no gatherings of more than 10 people – in addition to all the other activities that were discouraged and other preventative measures". [src.]
The Park Rangers in Namibia's National Parks are listed under "critical services" by the Government and are therefore continuing to fulfill their duties as usual, while MET office staff are attending to work from home.
Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!
According to Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the country has lost nine rhinos and one elephant to poaching since the beginning of 2020. The poaching took place inside private owned farms and in Namibia's National Parks.
A total of 45 rhinos and 12 elephants got illegally killed by poachers in Namibia in 2019, compared to 57 rhinos and 26 elephants that lost their lives to poaching activities during 2018. Namibia has the second largest population of white rhinos in the world after South Africa and, according to Save the Rhino, it holds one-third of the world’s remaining black rhinos.
A total of 45 rhinos and 12 elephants got illegally killed by poachers in Namibia in 2019, compared to 57 rhinos and 26 elephants that lost their lives to poaching activities during 2018. Namibia has the second largest population of white rhinos in the world after South Africa and, according to Save the Rhino, it holds one-third of the world’s remaining black rhinos.
Kruger National Park Calendar - May!
Weather:
Landscape:
- autumn
- warm to hot days
- warm to rather cold evenings
- occasional rain only
- between 13°C - 28°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
- visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!
- the bush starts drying out
- landscape changes from green to yellow, orange and brown
- the waterholes in the mopaneveld are drying out first
- the baobab trees are dropping their last pods
- Elephants begin migration into northern Kruger
- game seeking for warmer areas
- impala rut continues
- wild dog breeding season
30 March 2020
South Africa: Airlink to resume operations to key destinations from 20 April 2020!
South African regional carrier Airlink has announced that it is planning to provide a reduced flight schedule commencing on 20 April 2020 to key local (business) destinations in South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, Zimbabwe, St Helena Island, Zambia and Botswana. Whilst the current restrictions are intended to last for 21 days, the airline will take its cue from the Government of South Africa and update the schedule accordingly. Airlink's target date for recommencing operations will be determined by the evaluation, after lock-down, by the South African Government. Here are the key routes of the reduced flight schedule commencing on 20 April 2020:
- South Africa
- Cape Town (CPT) - George (GRJ)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Bloemfontein (BFN)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Kimberley (KIM)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Pietermaritzburg (PZB)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Mthatha (UTT)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP))
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Hoedspruit (HDS)
- Johannesburg (JNB) - Richards Bay (RCB)
- Lesotho
- eSwatini
- Zimbabwe
- St Helena Island
- Johannesburg (JNB) - St Helena Island (HLE)
- Zambia
- Botswana
Coronavirus pandemic: Zimbabwe begins country-wide lockdown!
The Government of Zimbabwe has imposed a country-wide lockdown for 21 days from today (30 March 2020) to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. All non-essential services have to completely cease operations during the lockdown, while shops and food open markets operate under the supervision of health officials. In addition to food markets, industries producing food, water and sanitary products are permitted to remain open. All public transport in Zimbabwe is also grounded.
28 March 2020
Tanzania / Zambia: TAZARA suspends border crossing for passenger trains!
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced that both the Mukuba Passenger Train and Kilimanjaro Passenger Train will no longer cross the border between Tanzania and Zambia with effect from 30 March 2020 until further notice due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The trains will instead continue to run within the respective boundaries of the two countries. This adjustment in passenger train operations is inline with the measures taken by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia in the effort to control the spread of the virus. However, freight train operations are not affected by this change.
The new operational schedules for the two passenger trains will be as follows:
Mukuba Passenger Train:
The new operational schedules for the two passenger trains will be as follows:
Mukuba Passenger Train:
- The Mukuba Passenger Train will depart New Kapiri Mposhi as it normally does on Tuesday, but terminate and u-turn at Nakonde on Wednesday, arriving at New Kapiri Mposhi on Thursday. The train will run again on Friday from New Kapiri Mposhi to Nakonde, u-turning at Nakonde on Saturday and arriving in New Kapiri Mposhi on Sunday.
- The Kilimanjaro Passenger Train will depart Dar es Salaam as it normally does on Tuesday, but terminate and u-turn at Mbeya on Wednesday, arriving at Dar es Salaam on Friday, early in the morning. The train will run again on the same Friday from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, u-turning at Mbeya on Saturday and arriving in Dar es Salaam in the early hours of Monday.
27 March 2020
Coronavirus pandemic: Namibia to go into partial lockdown! [update]
update (14 April 2020): Namibia's President Hage Geingob just announced that the partial lockdown in the country will be extended from midnight on 17 April 2020 to midnight on 04 May 2020. Namibia will effectively re-open on 05 May 2020; movement within the whole country will be restricted until then.
The Government of Namibia has announced that parts of the country will go into lockdown from midnight 27 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020 as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus. These parts include the Khomas region (including Windhoek), the Erongo region (including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) as well as the towns of Okahandja and Rehoboth. Under the lockdown, people will not be allowed to leave their homes except for visits to pharmacies, food supply stores, courts, banks, for medical reasons and for physical exercise in groups of not more than three persons. All shops and businesses will get closed except those classified as essential or critical services.
The Government of Namibia has announced that parts of the country will go into lockdown from midnight 27 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020 as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus. These parts include the Khomas region (including Windhoek), the Erongo region (including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) as well as the towns of Okahandja and Rehoboth. Under the lockdown, people will not be allowed to leave their homes except for visits to pharmacies, food supply stores, courts, banks, for medical reasons and for physical exercise in groups of not more than three persons. All shops and businesses will get closed except those classified as essential or critical services.
Coronavirus pandemic: Lesotho to go into lockdown!
The Government of Lesotho has announced that the country will go into lockdown from midnight on 29 March 2020 to 21 April 2020 as a measure in the fights against the coronavirus pandemic. Only the following essential services will remain operational during the lockdown in Lesotho: health, security, special banking, grocery shops, pharmacies, water, power and fuel. Lesotho's borders with South Africa will be closed during the lockdown but those supplying goods will be allowed in at commercial borders.
Botswana: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks stops accepting all foreign currency as means of payment!
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism has announced that with effect from 01 April 2020 it will stop accepting all foreign currency as means of payment. Clients are advised to use local currency (Botswana Pula; BWP) and credit cards or debit cards where points of sale machines are available for payments. The public is advised to use bureau exchange service providers to facilitate foreign exchange services.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has the primary mandate to promote the conservation and management of Botswana's wildlife and fisheries resources including protected areas, wildlife management areas and several water bodies with fisheries resources.
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| src.: facebook/dwnp |
Coronavirus pandemic: Proflight Zambia temporarily suspends operations!
Zambian carrier Proflight Zambia has suspended operations for 30 days due to the coronavirus pandemic. The airline will cease international flights effective from today, 27 March 2020, and domestic flights will not operate between 01 April 2020 and 30 April 2020. The airline plans to resume international and domestic flights from 01 May 2020 to Lusaka, Ndola, Mfuwe, Solwezi, Livingstone and Johannesburg on a very limited schedule.
"We hope to resume normal operations by 01 July 2020 but we do not know yet whether this will be possible. When normal operations do resume it is likely to be with very reduced frequency especially on tourism routes", said Proflight Zambia's Corporate Director Chitalu Kabalika.Passengers holding an unused ticket will be able to use the full value of the same ticket to travel within 18 months of ticket date and all change fees and re-route fees will be waived. Those who no longer wish to travel will be allowed name changes on unused ticketed. Names changes will not be permitted on partially used tickets.
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| Proflight Zambia: temporarily suspending operations. |
South African Airways' Business Rescue Plan release extended to end of May 2020! [update]
update (17 June 2020): The long-awaited business rescue plan for South African Airways was finally published on 16 June 2020.
update (04 June 2020): The South African Airways (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), Siviwe Dongwana and Les Matuson, have issued a draft business rescue plan to affected persons for comment and consultation. They have also received an extension as requested, for its final publication to 08 June 2020.
South African Airways' (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) Siviwe Dongwana and Les Matuson have received another extension from lenders and creditors to publish their long-awaited business rescue plan to save South Africa's embattled flag carrier from liquidation. A majority of lenders and creditors agreed to the extension. In the request for a postponement, the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) pointed out that the uncertainty of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on South African Airways (SAA) and the global aviation industry as well as the need for lengthy redundancy talks with labour unions makes an extension inevitable. The new deadline for the business rescue plan is the 29 May 2020.
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South African Airways' (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) Siviwe Dongwana and Les Matuson have received another extension from lenders and creditors to publish their long-awaited business rescue plan to save South Africa's embattled flag carrier from liquidation. A majority of lenders and creditors agreed to the extension. In the request for a postponement, the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) pointed out that the uncertainty of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on South African Airways (SAA) and the global aviation industry as well as the need for lengthy redundancy talks with labour unions makes an extension inevitable. The new deadline for the business rescue plan is the 29 May 2020.
Coronavirus pandemic: Air Zimbabwe has temporarily suspended all operations!
Zimbabwe's flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, has temporarily suspended all domestic and regional flight operations with effect from 26 March 2020 until further notice due to travel restrictions imposed by Zimbabwe's Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The airline will operate a last return flight to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on 28 March 2020 "to assist returning residents".
26 March 2020
Namibia: Namibia Wildlife Resorts offers Hardap Resort as quarantine and treatment facility for corona patients!
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has announced that it will offer its Hardap Resort as a temporary station to care for and treat people infected with COVID-19. The resort is located close to the town of Mariental and the Mariental State Hospital. According to Dr Matthias Ngwangwama, NWR Acting Managing Director, Hardap Resort has 54 rooms, with 220 beds, ranging from dormitory rooms to family chalets with self-catering facilities and provides the necessary isolation environment needed.
"After the virus has been brought under control, NWR will thoroughly sanitise the facility and acquire approval from the Ministry of Health and Social Services before it is re-opened to the public" says Mufaro Nesongano, NWR Corporate Communications, Online Media and Sponsorships Manager.
Coronavirus pandemic: Fastjet (Zimbabwe) suspends all operations! [update]
update (09 April 2020): According to a tweet by Fastjet, the airline is set to resume operations on 20 April 2020, subject to lockdown measures in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Zimbabwean regional carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has announced the suspension of all services from 27 March 2020 until 16 April 2020 (both days fully inclusive) as a result of the latest measures introduced in Zimbabwe and South Africa to control the spread of the coronavirus. The airline offers all customers holding existing bookings within these date periods rebooking assistance with additional fees or fare differences. We advise to contact Fastjet for further information.
Zimbabwean regional carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has announced the suspension of all services from 27 March 2020 until 16 April 2020 (both days fully inclusive) as a result of the latest measures introduced in Zimbabwe and South Africa to control the spread of the coronavirus. The airline offers all customers holding existing bookings within these date periods rebooking assistance with additional fees or fare differences. We advise to contact Fastjet for further information.
Corona pandemic: Air Botswana temporarily suspends operations!
The flag carrier of Botswana, Air Botswana, temporarily suspends all its scheduled domestic and regional flight operations between 27 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 due to the ongoing corona pandemic. The suspension period will be subject to regular review. The airline will maintain a core team to support customer enquiries and provide assistance with rebooking and the processing of refund applications. Air Botswana will operate its last flights before suspension of services to Francistown, Maun and Kasane to offer passengers an opportunity to get back to their intended destinations.
25 March 2020
Namibia: Air Namibia and FlyWestair temporarily suspend all operations!
Namibia's flag carrier, Air Namibia, has announced the temporary suspension of all passenger flights effective 27 March 2020. Domestic and regional fligths will remain suspended until 20 April 2020, while the airline's international operations, which are already suspended sice 14 March 2020, remain canceled until further notice. The temporary suspension of operations is in alignment with Namibia's latest travel restrictions aimed at curbing the further spread of the corona virus. Air Namibia has introduced rebooking options for travellers who need to change their travel dates due to the suspension. The airline offers all customers holding a ticket purchased to travel before 30 April 2020 one free change to a new travel date until 31 December 2020. For more information, please contact Air Namibia.
Namibia's first private scheduled passenger airline, FlyWestair, also announced the suspension of all domestic passenger flights effective 26 March 2020 until further notice. The airline's only regional service between Windhoek (Eros) and Cape Town via Oranjemund has already been suspended since 23 March 2020 and will remain so until further notice.
Namibia's first private scheduled passenger airline, FlyWestair, also announced the suspension of all domestic passenger flights effective 26 March 2020 until further notice. The airline's only regional service between Windhoek (Eros) and Cape Town via Oranjemund has already been suspended since 23 March 2020 and will remain so until further notice.
Coronavirus pandemic: Zambia redirects all international flights to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka!
In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Zambia's Government has made the decision to suspend all international flights to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA) in Ndola and Mfuwe Airport (MFU) in Mfuwe from midnight on 26 March 2020 for a period of 14 days. Instead, all international flights have to land and depart from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. Through this measure, the Zambian Government aims to ensure an efficient and effective screening of all travellers as well as following them up by the country's health officials. Travellers, who are showing symptoms of Covid-19 upon screening will be quarantined in a medical facility for treatment. All other travellers, who are not showing any symptoms, will be quarantined for at leat 14 days at their own cost.Zambia's Government also obliges its missions abroad and the Department of Immigration to be alert to review the issuance of visa for people wanting to travel to Zambia, as well as at all its ports of entry for all travellers from countries affected by the coronavirus.
South Africa: These regional and domestic carriers suspend operations during the countrywide lockdown!
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a countrywide lockdown in South Africa from 26 March 2020, South African passenger airlines have decided to suspend operations for the time being to slow and contain the spread of the coronavirus. South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), suspends all its domestic flights between 27 March 2020 and 16 April 2020. Airlink suspends all operations from midnight on 26 March 2020 and targets to resume operations on 20 April 2020. Mango has announced that it will halt operations from 25 March 2020 until further notice, while Flysafair also suspends all flights from 25 March 2020 and aims to resume operations in the morning of 20 April 2020. Comair, which operates scheduled services on domestic routes as a British Airways franchisee and also operates as a low-cost carrier under its own kulula.com brand, has announced that it will not be operating flights between 26 March 2020 and 19 April 2020. Cemair has so far not made an offical announcement regarding the suspension of services during the countrywide lockdown. The airline only announded plans to operate two additional Johannesburg <> Cape Town return flights and one Johannesburg <> George return flight on 26 March 2020 to "get you home befor the big lockdown". We'll keep you posted!
South African Airways suspends all domestic flights during South Africa's nation-wide lockdown!
South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), will suspend all its domestic flights from 27 March 2020 until 16 April 2020 and will resume its domestic flights on 17 April 2020. The decision came after South Africa's Government announced a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days aimed at combatting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. SAA will provide support to passengers who intend to change their travel plans and commence their journeys before the implementation of the nation-wide lockdown and will assist customers whose itinerary must change as a result of the lockdown. South African Airways offers one free travel change for travel between 24 March 2020 and 26 March 2020. Re-accommodation of the customers for this purpose will happen on a first-come-first-served basis. During (!) the national lockdown, SAA's call centers will not operate. Customers are requested to contact the airline via email. For all regarding informations, please visit the website of South African Airways.
Coronavirus pandemic: eSwatini to close its ports of entry for travel!
The Kingdom of eSwatini is set to introduce a 20-day partial lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Effective 27 March 2020, people in eSwatini will not be allowed to leave their homes except to buy food, medical supplies, make use of banking services or seek medical attention. Non-essential travel between towns, cities and regions in eSwatini is also not permitted, except for medical reasons or to provide or acquire essential services. The army and the police will be deployed to ensure compliance with all these measures. Chiefs and traditional authorities will take a leading role in enforcing these measures in their communities.
Following the announcement by the South African Government of a lockdown, only goods and cargo as well as returning citizens and legal residents will be allowed to enter eSwatini through the country's border crossing points. Returning citizens and residents of eSwatini will be subjected to a mandatory 14 days quarantine at designated locations except for those who are able to self-isolate. Foreign nationals coming from "high-risk countries are already restricted from entering eSwatini until further notice since eSwatini declared National Emergency in response to the coronavirus panedemic on 17 March 2020.
Following the announcement by the South African Government of a lockdown, only goods and cargo as well as returning citizens and legal residents will be allowed to enter eSwatini through the country's border crossing points. Returning citizens and residents of eSwatini will be subjected to a mandatory 14 days quarantine at designated locations except for those who are able to self-isolate. Foreign nationals coming from "high-risk countries are already restricted from entering eSwatini until further notice since eSwatini declared National Emergency in response to the coronavirus panedemic on 17 March 2020.
Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana closes all its ports of entry for travel!
The Government of Botswana has closed all border crossing points with immeditate effect due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Batswana and permanent residents in Botswana will be allowed to return home, but must undergo mandatory 14 day quarantine. The movement of people such as visiting neighbouring countries including Lesotho and Swaziland is restricted with the exception of the movement of goods and services. The closures will remain in place until further notice. Botswana has also banned the travel to and from high-risk countries (as of 25 March 2020: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Chechnya, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America).
Coronavirus pandemic: Namibia closes several ports of entry for travel!
Namibia's Cabinet has decided to further strengthens its measures to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The travel ban, which previously only affected citizens from affected countries, namely Schengen States, China, Iran, Korea, United Kingdom, United States of America and Japan, is now extended to all countries around the World for a period of thirty days and applies to all Namibians and permanent residents. All returning Namibians and Permanent residents of Namibia and Permanent residents arriving from high-risk countries are subjected to mandatory supervised quarantine for 14 days, at own cost. Internal travel restrictions will apply with respect to the Khomas region and the Erongo region, for a period of 21 days starting on 27 March 2020 and ending on 16 April 2020. As part of the new measures, Namibia has also closed the following ports of entry for travel:
- Oshikango (Angola)
- Katwitwi (Angola)
- Wenela (Zambia)
- Buitepos (Botswana)
- Ariamsvlei (South Africa)
- Noordoewer (South Africa)
- Luderitz (sea)
- Walvis Bay (sea)
24 March 2020
Coronavirus pandemic: South African National Parks to temporarily close all National Parks from 25 March 2020! [update]
update (03 April 2020): South African National Parks (SANParks) will re-open its National Parks on 17 April 2002. According to the SANParks website, new reservations, activities, and pre-booked day visits can be created for arrivals from this date.
South African National Parks (SANParks), the body responsible for managing South Africa's National Parks, just announced the closure of all tourism facilities in its National Parks from 25 March 2020 (and not from 26 March 2020!) due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Guests will not be allowed to enter any national park, whether as day or overnight visitors, from 25 March 2020 until further notice.
All guests from high-risk countries currently resident in any National Park managed by SANParks are instructed NOT to leave the Parks. All such guests have been identified and SANParks staff on the ground will provide them with support and further information regarding their travel arrangements as well as facilitate contact with their embassies. We'll keep you posted!
South African National Parks (SANParks), the body responsible for managing South Africa's National Parks, just announced the closure of all tourism facilities in its National Parks from 25 March 2020 (and not from 26 March 2020!) due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Guests will not be allowed to enter any national park, whether as day or overnight visitors, from 25 March 2020 until further notice.
Coronavirus pandemic: Zimbabwe has closed all borders for non-essential traffic!
The Government of Zimbabwe has with immediate effect closed all its point of entries for both inbound and outbound traffic due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The borders only remain open for essential traffic, such as cargo, while non-essential traffic, such as travel, is banned until further notice. All returning residents of Zimbabwe are subjected to strict screening procedures, including rigorous enforcement of the 21-day self-quarantine.
Africa: The population of the African Black Rhino in Africa is slowly increasing!
According to the latest update of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™, the population of the African Black Rhino in Africa is slowly increasing. The species remains critically endangered, but continuing law enforcement efforts and successful population management measures, including moving selected rhinos from established populations to new locations to keep populations productive and increase the species' range, counter the persistent threat of poaching. The African Black Rhino population across Africa has grown at a modest annual rate of 2.5% from an estimated 4,845 to 5,630 animals in the wild between 2012 and 2018. According to population models, a further slow increase over the next five years is most likely to be expected.
Africa's other rhino species, the more numerous White Rhino continues to be categorised as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The White Rhino is more vulnerable to poaching as it has larger horns, and favours more open habitats so is easier to find than the African Black Rhino. Accoring to the IUCN, numbers of the Southern White Rhino subspecies declined by 15% between 2012 and 2017 from an estimated 21,300 to 18,000 animals, which largely cancelled out most of the growth in White Rhino numbers from 2007 to 2012. This recent decline was largely due to the high levels of poaching in South Africa's Kruger National Park, home to the world's largest White Rhino population. The other White Rhino subspecies, the Northern White Rhino, remains critically endangered (possibly extinct in the wild). [via iucn.org]
Africa's other rhino species, the more numerous White Rhino continues to be categorised as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. The White Rhino is more vulnerable to poaching as it has larger horns, and favours more open habitats so is easier to find than the African Black Rhino. Accoring to the IUCN, numbers of the Southern White Rhino subspecies declined by 15% between 2012 and 2017 from an estimated 21,300 to 18,000 animals, which largely cancelled out most of the growth in White Rhino numbers from 2007 to 2012. This recent decline was largely due to the high levels of poaching in South Africa's Kruger National Park, home to the world's largest White Rhino population. The other White Rhino subspecies, the Northern White Rhino, remains critically endangered (possibly extinct in the wild). [via iucn.org]
Coronavirus pandemic: South Africa to go into 21-day lockdown!
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will go under a 21-day lockdown from 26 March 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the President, the measure will be mandatory and had to be implemented to ensure that the spread of the Coronavirus is reduced and the curve is flattened. Under the lockdown, people in South Africa will not be allowed to leave their homes except to buy food, medical supplies, collect social grants or seek medical attention. All shops and businesses will ge closed except for pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations and health care providers as well as laboratories, banks and other essential financial services.
The only persons exempted from the lockdown will be South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel, healthcare workers, emergency personnel, security services, military medical personnel, soldiers as well as those who are in the production, distribution of food and basic goods, banking services, water service, power utility service and laboratory services.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to assist the South South African Police Service (SAPS) during the lockdown.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to assist the South South African Police Service (SAPS) during the lockdown.
23 March 2020
Coronavirus pandemic: Cape Town closes all beaches!
The City of Cape Town has announced that it will close all beaches along Cape Town coastline from 24 March 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Until further notice, all beaches will be closed for all activities be it on the beach itself or in the water. Thus, as from 24 March 2020 the following are prohibited:
Law enforcement will be doing patrols at Cape Town's beaches to ensure this restriction is adhered to. Lifeguards will remain stationed on the beaches to assist the Law Enforcement Department. There will, however, be no flags to indicate demarcated swimming areas, in line with the new regulation.
The Shark Spotting Programme will also be stopping all shifts and no Shark Spotters will be on duty at any beaches as of 17:00 on 23 March 2020.
- swimming
- surfing
- kite-surfing
- kayaking
- recreational fishing
- any other beach or water-based activity
The Shark Spotting Programme will also be stopping all shifts and no Shark Spotters will be on duty at any beaches as of 17:00 on 23 March 2020.
Coronavirus pandemic: The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is temporarily closed!
In order to protect its staff and the public as well as to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is temporarily closed since 20 March 2020. The management of the museum is planning to re-open again after the Easter Weekend 2020 (around 14 April 2020) or until such time conditions allow to lift to re-open again. The Apartheid Museum, part of the Gold Reef City complex in Johannesburg, opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story.
Cape Town International Airport: Pick-up & go and e-hailing areas have been moved to a new location!
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which operates Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, has announced that the pick-up & go area as well as the e-hailing area* at the airport has been moved to the ground floor of Parkade 2. ACSA has placed signage throughout the airport's terminal building as well as along the roadway to help orientate people.
* ordering any form of transportation pick up via virtual devices.
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