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South Africa’s PJ Powers headlines Rhino fest

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"Wildlife is important as it boosts tourism and as a result, there is need to safeguard it against poachers and in such a way, I am committed to be part of the course against poaching"

LEGENDARY South African musician PJ Powers (pictured) said she was motivated by preventing escalating poaching levels to take part in Zimbabwe’s anti-poaching and conservation initiatives meant to raise awareness against the vice.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

The 52-year-old singer born Penelope Jane Dunlop told NewsDay on the sidelines of her performance at the 2016 Rhino Fest Three festival gig on Saturday at Old Georgians Sports Club in the capital.

“Wildlife is important as it boosts tourism and as a result, there is need to safeguard it against poachers and in such a way, I am committed to be part of the course against poaching. The future generation must be able to see all these animals we have today, so they must be protected,” PJ Powers said.

“I am part of this concert (Rhino Fest Three festival gig) because I am against poaching and if I had the powers I would declare a death sentence on poachers.”

The Jabulani hit-maker put up a sterling performance as a headlining act alongside fellow South African singer Ghapi and his three-piece band. They shared the stage with local artistes who pledged their support among them Run Rhino Run singer Bud Cockcroft, Gary Stanley, Mackay, Public Nuisance, Amy and The Calamities, DJ Macson and DJ Frank who also had a good day in office.

The fundraising gig was supported by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other conservation agencies, and all proceeds will be channelled towards a specialised anti-poaching dog unit called K9’s For Conservation initiated by The Soul Trust.

Under the K9’s For Conservation, the trust has already imported four German Shepherd dogs to be used on tracking operations in support of anti-poaching efforts by anti-poaching organisations across the country.

ZimParks spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo said they appreciated the move by the community to improve the conservation of rhinos and all protected flagship species in the country.

“Our rhino population stands at over 800 both black and white and there is need to safeguard them for our future generation. We appeal to all including the international community for donations to assist rangers who risk their lives in fighting the war against rhino poachers with equipment,” she said.

Rhino poaching has been on the rise in Zimbabwe and the rest of the southern Africa region where horns end up in Asian countries, particularly China where they were believed to be an aphrodisiac, despite medical research to the contrary.