PHASA at the 2012 African Wildlife Heritage Gala

John X Safaris was extremely proud to be of support to the 2012 African Wildlife Heritage Gala Dinner.
The event was hosted and organized by the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa, PHASA, and SAWC, held at Monte Casino in Johannesburg during April. Launched in 2007 this fundraising initiative has continued to grow from strength to strength.
A remarkable R1,286-millon (+- US$ 160 000) was raised on the night, indicative of the support given by PHASA, conservation organizations, donors, and the hunting fraternity to conservation training. Funds came by way of auctioning exclusive donations donated by many of PHASA’s members. Donations included hunts, accommodation packages, luxury weekend retreats, hunting equipment and wildlife art.

It was smiles all round when the bids were closed and the funds raised at the African Wildlife Heritage Gala Dinner were tallied. Pictured from left are Mrs. Ari Kitshoff, CEO of PHASA, and Mrs. Theresa Sowry, CEO of the Southern African Wildlife College, Mr. Hermann Meyeridricks, Chairman of the PHASA Conservation and Empowerment Fund and Mr. Hans Vermaak, PHASA President.

With the help of donors who, through PHASA’s Conservation and Empowerment Fund, continue to support the annual African Wildlife Heritage Gala Dinner, the studies of many wildlife rangers, field guides and protected area managers have been made possible. Last year 154 students from 10 different conservation organizations were trained with the funds raised at the 2011 event. The courses included anti-poaching training, GIS, community based natural resource management, wildlife conflict management, fire arms training and as part of the certificate programme modules such as biodiversity management, resource economics and land use planning.
Over the past five years, and now again in 2012, PHASA has continued to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to conservation by topping the charts when it comes to an individual fundraising event. Since the event’s inception over 700 people from across the SADC region have received training. It just goes to show what can be done when leading players and organizations in the conservation industry band together.
John X Safaris would like to congratulate PHASA on another successful event! We look forward to continuing our annual donation to PHASA, in so doing, ensuring we’re adding our support to conservation in Southern Africa.
For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!