The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Leisure Reporter
SAMUEL Nkomo made headlines in 2014, when he made a noble and passionate decision to walk from Matopos to the majestic Victoria Falls for the sake of protecting the almost extinct rhino.
It took him 28 days to walk from Matopos to Victoria Falls, as he braved the scotching heat of October 2014 to make a passionate plea about protecting the wild animal, which gained him worldwide recognition.
Sam, a professional game guide recently landed a deal with a South African wildlife conservative organisation — Southern African Fight for Rhino (SAFFR) to walk in that country this year.
In an interview his personal assistant Ayanda Ndlovu said Sam received an invitation to walk in South Africa for the protection of the rhino, following his eccentric walk in 2014.
“He is scheduled to walk about 600 kilometres in South Africa. We are yet to go to South Africa to map out the directions. His walk in 2014 got the attention of the world and this will be another milestone achievement, not only for him but wildlife,” said Ndlovu.
He added that they would soon launch fundraising campaign for the walk.
“We are in touch with our South African partners and will be travelling there soon for a press conference,” said Ndlovu.
He added that they were also in talks with Kalawa Jazmee Records in South Africa to raise awareness through various musical projects.
In a letter addressed to Sam from the director of SAFFR, Lex Abnett Sam is scheduled for a press briefing sometime between 14 and 28 January this year.
“We would like to invite you to South Africa, so as to engage with the press, regarding your upcoming charity walk for us, Southern African Fight For Rhino,” read part of the letter from Abnett.
Sam is scheduled to walk from Kruger Park in Mpumalanga to Madikwe Game Reserve in North West Province in South Africa in March this year.
An excited and raring to go Sam said he was already on a special diet and said the walk would surely raise more awareness about the importance of conserving wildlife.
“It is important for us to care for our wildlife. We need to stop poaching and killing these hapless animals. They can’t do it for themselves and that is why as human beings we have to do it. There are lots of animals that have been driven into the brink of extinction but we can’t let this go on forever. We have to put an end to poaching and unnecessarily killing animals,” he said.
