South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the launch of the Morula Kids Art Competition for 2010, which is the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) as well as the year that South Africa hosts the FIFA Soccer World Cup. The theme for this year’s competition will encompass the themes of wildlife, biodiversity and the Soccer World Cup.
Edgar Neluvhalani, the General Manager for People and Conservation said, “With this being the International Year of Biodiversity, it is imperative that everyone involved in conservation and biodiversity focus attention on educating the population about the importance of these concepts. SANParks has always seen the youth as an ideal place to start with conservation education and the Morula Kids Competition is a very successful means of doing this.”
This year’s competition is structured to encourage children to understand African wildlife and biodiversity through the excitement of the Soccer World Cup. It is aimed at learners from Grade 3 to Grade 7 and will require learners to draw a wildlife animal playing soccer. In addition to this, learners must be able to display an understanding of SANParks, wildlife and biodiversity when filling in their entry forms.
“What better way to get kids excited about the environment and conservation than through an event that the whole nation is excited about? By tying in the art competition with the soccer, we will be challenging learners to research the African wildlife in more detail than just knowing what they look like. They will also have to be aware of the capabilities of these animals as well as their locations within SANParks,” said Neluvhalani.
Prizes include a cellphone, a two-night trip to the nearest South African National Park, and Kuduzelas among other things.
The competition closes on 31 May 2010 and entry forms can be accessed at any of our parks or through the SANParks website at: http://ww.sanparks.org/people/education/morula/2010/morula_kids_entry_form.pdf
“We encourage all schools to get involved in this competition and develop a culture of environmental education for their learners. The future of the environment is in the hands of the children and together we can achieve much,” concluded Neluvhalani.
Issued by:
Issued by SANParks Corporate Communications on behalf of People and Conservation
Media Inquiries:
Ms. Zakiya Fareed: Media & Stakeholder Relations, SANParks, tel: (012) 426 5202, cell: 082 766 6342, email: zakiyaf@sanparks.org
