SAEON and HESC partnership becomes a force to be reckoned with

Princess Michael of Kent with Ba-Phalaborwa teachers and learners. The princess visited the region after a fundraising event at Kensington Palace in London, where she saw a video showing a drama and choral verse performance by learners from the region (Picture © Joe Sibiya) Princess Michael of Kent cuddling a king cheetah cub named after her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent. The prince is the patron of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, one of SAEON’s key partners in environmental science education outreach (Picture © Joe Sibiya)

SAEON has formed some key partnerships in environmental science education outreach in the Ba-Phalaborwa region. One of these is with the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC).

"SAEON initially introduced the Vuxeni High School drama group and Mhalamhala choral verse to HESC earlier in the year. These two groups were video-taped in February 2006," says SAEON Ndlovu Node's education outreach officer, Joe Sibiya. "The video was shown at Kensington Palace in London during a highly successful event to raise funds for environmental conservation and environmental education outreach in the region."

As a direct result of the fundraiser and the video, which was well received by the guests, Princess Michael of Kent visited the Ba-Phalaborwa region, and officiated at the naming of a newborn king cheetah at HESC on Saturday June 17, 2006. The cub was named ‘Michael' after His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, husband of Princess Michael and patron of the Centre.

Joe Sibiya, representing SAEON, Mavis Sono of Mhalamhala primary School with her choral verse group, and learners from Mahlambandlopfu School of Thulamahashe were present at the ceremony.

Joe Sibiya says the partnership between SAEON and HESC is becoming a strong force in the region. On 28 June 2006, as part of the five-day SAEON winter camp, twelve grade 11 learners from twelve local high schools visited HESC for experiential learning.

"During National Science Week 2006, which was organised by SAEON and the Palabora Foundation, HESC organised a fascinating display at Lulekani town hall which really captured the learners' attention," Joe says.