Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for both the
Cleft Stick and to be posted on the web site. It is your magazine and
website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail
address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who
know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to
e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please send a blank e-mail to me at the above address with the word “unsubscribe C~S ” as the message heading.
Email Addresses
The following email addresses are undeliverable for a number of reasons over a period of time.
If anyone has an updated address for these members please pass them along to me so we can keep in contact with them
Brendon Steytler - steytlerb@jgi.co.za
Bridget Sefanyetso - mafikengreserve@gydea.com
Brit Reichelt - gorongosa@teledata.mz
Carl van den Berg - ntsiri@global.co.za
Clive Poultney -. clive@theta.org.za
Dave Albert - dgalbert@sas.co.za
Endangerd Wildlife Trust - coralW@ewt.org.za
Glen Thomson - jejane@lantic.co.za
Ilse Mwanza - imwanaza@zamtel.zm
Isaac Malasha - imalasha@cass.org.zw
Jan Willem Sterk - shawu@intekom.co.za
Joachim Kouame - gracirangers@yahoo.fr
John Kahekwa - kakehkwajohn@yahoo.fr
Les Ashley - les@africanwild.co.za
Marc McDonald - marc@loskop.co.za
Neil Malan - ndlamiti5@telkomsa.net
Norman Mann - NormanM@sdn.wilderness.co.za
Pam Bristow - bn?pbristow@ozone.pwv.gov.za
Pete Morrison - pete@ecoassist.co.za
Phillip Hattingh - phattingh@tiscali.co.za
Pieter Nel - inywela@lantic.net ,
Sam Makhubele, MakhubeleS@finptb.norprov.gov.za
Solomon Manganyi - inanala@msinsi.co.za
Susan Clark - clarks@waitrose.com .
AGM route map
I have a route map of how to get to the AGM in Namibia. It is in PDF format so has to go as an attachment. Anyone wishing to receive it please let me know & I’ll forward it to you, or I could fax it to you. – ed
The venue is the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) in the NamibRand Nature Reserve which is 140 km west of Maltahohe & 170 km south of Solitaire.
GAME RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA’S POSITION ON HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICAN PROTECTED AREAS
This draft has been prepared by some members of the committee, should any members wish to comment on it before it is finalised please do so before 7 02 2006. to Wayne Lotter at waynelotter@iafrica.com It has been written in a style to enable editors to shorten it without changing its meaning
There is more wildlife on private land in South Africa today than there was before wildlife became an economically viable form of land use. In areas that are not suitable for non-consumptive tourism, the hunting industry has created the basis for many livestock production units to convert to extensive wildlife production. Hunting is both a revenue-earner and a tool to support conservation management objectives. The societal, economical and environmental gains that this industry has created merits support and protection.
In the African Indaba eNewsletter and elsewhere there has been an increased level of lobbying for hunting inside protected areas in South Africa. Opposition to these views has come from various quarters, including the SA Hunters’ and Game Conservation Association (SAJWV) who published an official statement totally rejecting hunting in national parks. SAJWV also mentioned that only about 0.5% of South Africans are hunters and that the parks system belongs to all people. In their official statement SAJWV cited, inter alia, ecological impacts of hunting in national parks and ethical considerations as reasons why they can not endorse the proposed hunting in national parks.
In the Game Rangers Association of Africa’s (GRAA’s) comment on hunting in South Africa dated 3 July 2005 the view was put forward that the South African professional hunting industry has not been policed as well as it should have been. The GRAA also recommended that the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (hereafter referred to as the Minister) take steps to ensure that the standards in the professional hunting industry are raised and maintained and, if possible, an independent body should play a role in policing the industry.
A statement by the Office of the Minister on 25 October 2005 read: “It seems as if the central overarching problem in South Africa is that there is no coherent and comprehensive oversight of the hunting industry in South Africa, and a lack of clear national norms and standards for sustainable hunting.” As a result of the economic opportunities presented by potential trophy animals, the Minister’s Panel of Experts on Recreational and Professional Hunting (hereafter referred to as the Panel) found that there is a tendency for these economic objectives to override the conservation management objectives!
The Panel emphasized that the system of national and provincial parks in South Africa accords the highest level of conservation to areas of unique biodiversity significance. These parks are mostly on publicly owned land, although the Protected Areas Act does provide for the incorporation of privately owned land into such parks on a contractual basis. The national and provincial parks systems are vitally important for biodiversity conservation and they also provide a unique experience for the persons visiting them. There is “sense of place” and an experience of nature that should be protected in these areas.
In principle the GRAA supports the recommendation of the Panel (on which the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa was represented) that commercial hunting practices should be prohibited on publicly owned land in national and provincial parks - this includes special nature reserves, national parks and nature reserves as per the Protected Areas Act definitions. However, commercial hunting has already been allowed in some publicly owned protected areas in South Africa for some time, such as in former Bophutatswana (apartheid era independent state) national parks which are now managed by the relevant Provincial protected area agency. In recognition of the important role that hunting plays in these areas, the GRAA therefore recommends that the principle should be applied that there should not be hunting in protected areas except in those that were/are originally established with hunting as one of their primary founding objectives.
In determining a hunting policy for South Africa it is fitting to compare and consider the policies in other African countries. Tanzania is Africa’s leading hunting destination. In that country a clear distinction is made between Game Reserves (i.e. Selous), where hunting is allowed, and National Parks (i.e. Serengeti), where hunting is prohibited. In Kenya, hunting is not allowed in any public protected area. In Namibia hunting is recognized as a legitimate land use that makes an important contribution to the economy – it creates jobs and funds the management of areas that are not suitable for non-consumptive tourism - but hunting is also not allowed in national parks. In the case of South Africa where hunting is allowed in certain protected areas, perhaps a clear distinction should be made between these parks and other protected areas, as is the case in Tanzania?
GRAA Position on related issues pertaining to hunting in South Africa:
The GRAA supports the views of the Panel which acknowledges that there is a need to manage population numbers in protected areas and recommends that where culling is required it should be undertaken by the public authority in charge and not made available on concession. Furthermore, that where contractual parks have been established with private landowners and community, or where fences between private land and national and provincial parks have been removed, limited forms of hunting can be allowed on that private land, subject to the agreement of the conservation authority in charge of the park, the establishment of a proper management plan, and scientifically based off-take. Similar arrangements should apply to hunting in protected environments outside of the parks system.
Damage-causing animals (DCAs):
While damage-causing animals are a significant problem for communities and farmers living adjacent to parks and game reserves, efforts to solve the problem by contracting it out to commercial hunters have led to some DCAs being declared artificially. The GRAA supports the recommendation of the Panel which states that DCAs be dealt with under a separate policy process, and that no DCA should be hunted or be dealt with through a hunting concession.
“Green” hunting:
In terms of so-called “green” hunting, the repeated darting of an animal for commercial purposes is considered an inhumane practice. There needs to be a clear distinction between darting for scientific and management purposes, and the practice of hunting for commercial gain.
Self-regulation and accreditation:
There is a need for the formal recognition of national representative organizations that stand for the interests of the professional hunting, recreational hunting and associated industries. The role of these organizations would be to ensure that members of their respective sectors adhere to acceptable codes of conduct and ethics. The establishment of a suitable independent accreditation system is recommended. This system could become the basis for granting permits to professional hunters and outfitters, and could ensure accurate and verifiable reports are submitted to the Minister on an annual basis in a manner that is consistent with the national reporting system. The GRAA has previously and pro-actively supported regulated, responsible and sustainable hunting in appropriate areas. Where possible, the GRAA is willing to provide voluntary assistance to the Minister in any implementation of the recommendations of the Panel.
Disclaimer: This statement was prepared by members of the Executive Committee of the GRAA and was circulated to its members for comment. While the majority of members support the contents of this statement, there are some who may not be in complete agreement, and the statement may thus not represent the opinions of all its members.
Credit card fraud
This may be of interest to some of you that have credit cards!
Please pass this one on to as many people as possible:
As part of the restructuring process within SARS the Centralised Enforcement Unit based at Megawatt Park, Sunninghill and Hatfield is now called the National Enforcement Unit.
Here is a credit card scam that is hitting our area. You might want to pass along this email. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. Thanks to Dr. Pat Cloney for passing this on.
Those con artists get more creative every day. My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".
The scam works like this:
Person calling says, "This is
Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by
When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from R297 to R497, just under the R500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to gives you your address, is that correct?"
You say "yes". The caller continues... "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card(1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control #" The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify that you are in possession of your card".
He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are your card number, the next 3 are the 'Security Numbers' that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. Please read me the 3 numbers".
After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say ,"That is correct. Just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?"
After you say "No", the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of R497.99 was charged on our card.
Long story short, we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the scammers wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.
Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card direct. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement, you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late and/or harder to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily. They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.
Please pass this on to all your friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
I have a position available for a male Game ranger in a Game reserve in KZN. They are looking for someone who has a level one certificate and has a min of 6 months working experience. Please could you place the following advert into your Newspaper.
Upmarket Game lodge in Midlands require a Game Ranger with a Level one qualification. The candidate must have a min of 6 months Practical experience. Salary R3000.00 per month with Full live in.
The above position is Urgent.
If you could please place this advert in the newspaper I would greatly appreciate it or if you know of someone who fits the requirements it would be extremely helpful. My client has been looking for a while now and requires someone urgently. I really appreciate all your help.
LECTURER NEEDED
Herewith the details we discussed earlier.
Thanks again
Brian Nicholas
Required by a leading provider of private education to lecture on the following course:
The position is based at our campus in Durban.
Candidate needs to be FGASA level 3 accredited or have at least two years nature conservation experience
Interested parties can
Applications close on3 February 2006.
Tailpiece-
Sustainable growth is growth that is sustainable. - John Major
A soundbite never buttered a parsnip. - John Major
Seals don't eat beef. I was interviewed in day in France. I explained on of the problems is we have too many seals. A reporter came to me and asked if its true that seals eat cod. I don't know. I'm not a seal. But I can tell you seals don't eat beef because the seals are not living in Alberta. - Jean Chretien, former Canadian Prime Minister
You can't just let nature run wild. - Wally Hickel, former governor of Alaska
We've got to pause and ask ourselves: how much clean air do we need? - Lee Iacoccam US Industrialist
Poverty isn't about money. It's a whole way of life. - John Profumo, former Conservative MP
Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do. - Ronald Regan, former US President
Eighty percent of air pollution comes not from chimneys and auto exhaust pipes, but from plants and trees. Ronald Regan, former US President
Our nuclear power stations are as safe as they can possibly be. And they're getting safer all the time. - Hugh Rossi, former Conservative MP
A zebra does not change its spots. - Al Gore, former US Vice-President
A leopard never changes its stripes. - Al Gore, former US Vice-President
One doesn't know how many potatoes will appear over the horizon. - David Madel, former Conservative MP
Allowing women to mix with men is the route of every evil and catastrophe. - Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's most senior Muslim cleric
When I fist arrived in 1997, John Prescot thought that biodiversity was a type of washing powder. - Michael Meacher, Labour MP and former Environmental Minister
First, we would not accept a treaty that would not have been ratified, nor a treaty that I thought made sense for the country. - George W Bush - never a truer word said Georgey boy
It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. Its the impurities in our air and water that are doing it. -
Dan Quale
The green belt is a labour policy and we intend to build on it. - John Prescot, Deputy Prime Minister
My fellow Americans, I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia for ever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes - Ronald Regan, former US President, before a scheduled broadcast, unaware the microphone was already on.
Wait a minute! I'm not interested in agriculture. I want the military stuff. - William Scott, during a briefing in which officials began telling him about missile silos.
One of my ministers found half naked with guardsman in Hyde Park? Last Wednesday? The coldest night of the year? Makes you proud to be British. - Winston Churchill
We are not without accomplishment. We have managed to distribute poverty equally. - Nguyen Co Thatch, Vietnamese Foreign Minister
Its exciting to have a real crisis like the Falklands on your hands, when you've spent half your political life dealing with humdrum issues like the environment. - Margaret Thatcher.
Most of what you read in the papers is lies. And I should know, because a lot of the lies you see in the papers are mine. - Max Clifford
He has made just one trip to Europe, spends four minutes determining whether someone should be put to death, and his environmental policies are not only shameful, they should be criminal. - Jessica Lange (actress) on our best buddy, George W Bush
When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray". We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the bible and they had the land. -
Matter of Fact
Tel : 031 – 7675420, Cell : 082 885 6139, Fax : 0866 180 772, Email : hccrecrute@absamail.co.za
It would be greatly appreciated if you could put the word out amongst the Game Ranging fraternity.
Any interested parties can contact me on the numbers supplied or on this e-mail address. If I am unavailable they can also ask to speak to Sue Spiers.
Damelin Durban
Tel: (031) 268 9400
Fax: (031) 261 8469
Course commences 13 February 2006.
Some political and environmental blunders
Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric because it's a product we can find in our neighbourhoods. - George W Bush
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za