by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business
The South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) is tackling one of the country’s toughest challenges: unemployment. This release highlights how the organisation is addressing the skills gap in welding through innovative training programmes, new digital tools, and global partnerships. It’s a strong example of a press release that combines technical expertise, industry alignment, and social relevance.
The Press Release
South African welders remain unemployed and under pressure to find work, despite a global demand for the skill and a firm commitment from the South African government to spend millions on public work projects specific to the power generation and petrochemical sectors, positions that require certified welding skills.
Fine-tuning the complexities of bridging the current unemployment gap and securing the future of welding, the SAIW is poised to leapfrog the global pandemic lockdown and play a positive role in employment and skills upliftment. With the opportunity for local fabricators and manufacturers to gain skills value, the SAIW is launching its progressive online training programs, introducing a new Prospectus App due to launch to market by the end of November 2020, and developing a Welders Register available to SAIW Members, which will match welder skills and job opportunities.
SAIW Business Development Manager Etienne Nell explains; “There is a demand for welding skills in South Africa, yet locally, many South African training facilities only offer basic welder training resulting in a lack of properly qualified prospective employees. We also see welder certifications become outdated or the welder certification does not meet industry requirements especially now with more exotic materials being used in fabrication, also training providers are not familiar with the requirements of the pressure equipment regulations (PER). Additionally, current school leavers are unaware of the potential for long term welding employment and business entrepreneurship within this informal sector.
“As a non-profit and non-governmental organisation which addresses these core challenges, the SAIW has launched a series of progressive tailor-made training programs specific to manufacturers and fabricators, together with a comprehensive 28-week International Institute of Welding (IIW) course, which includes the five different welding processes. We also train welders to meet sector and project specifications and collaborate with fabricators on-site to advise where we see a need for upskilling, in response the majority of fabricators have reported as much as a 20% increase in productivity of their equipment and improved quality and hourly output of their welders.”
Welder certification and train the trainer opportunities
For first-time career welders, the QCTO 3-year internationally-recognised training program, registered through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), is comparative to a University degree and is based on the dual system, a system widely used with the USA, Germany and Switzerland.
The Department of Higher Education and Training has also embarked on establishing Centers of Specialization (CoS) where the dual system in South Africa is being piloted and therefore capacity building our TVET Colleges.
Train the trainer opportunity is imminent with Mozambique’s R128 billion oil and gas fabrication facility which will require that for every South African welder being employed the Fabricator needs to train 10 local welders from within the local community.
Companies may partner with SAIW to make use of its specialist training services which align with the International Institute of Welders (IIW) training guidelines. Uganda has partnered with the SAIW in this regard, to become registered as an approved training body to roll out specialist training programs in their country.
New app means welder connectivity
Mobile connectivity is also set to fast track the SAIW’s training contribution and welding education process whereby its 200-page Prospectus document will be converted into an easily navigated communication tool where key features can be accessed via mobile phones.
Offering interactive communications for welders and empowering career development guidelines, the App enables quick access to register. Welders will be able to enter their welding credentials via the App, should they not be SAIW certified they may be required to complete a certification of competency test or take advantage of the SAIW’s short upskilling courses.
Given that there are a number of career paths and associated courses in practical welding, welding coordination, welding inspection, competent persons and Non-destructive Testing. Once launched, the app will seek to navigate these course requirements by clearly show a future career path that these courses will allow students to follow. Alternatively, one can enter one’s current level of qualification and experience and the App will determine course options and career path possibilities based on the course entry requirements.
Welder Register: Will the SAIW help me find a job?
The SAIW is currently compiling a database of qualified welders who, once registered according to confirmed credentials, will be made visible to SAIW fabricator members looking to either recruit qualified welders or invite them for an interview together with undertaking the mandatory Code Certification test.
Any welder who is certified by the SAIW or has successfully undertaken the Code certification test may upload their information onto the welder register, hereby they advertise themselves for job opportunities offered by SAIW members. Member manufacturers and fabricators may also send apprentices on the SAIW training and certification programs.
Click here to complete your application for the SAIW welder register where you will also be asked to upload your CV and welding certification as part of the application process. For any other enquiries please email info@saiw.co.za
Results & Impact
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Positioned SAIW as both an industry authority and a social impact driver.
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Elevated welding as a credible, long-term career path with global relevance.
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Generated visibility for new initiatives: the mobile app, the welder register, and internationally aligned certification programmes.
This release illustrates how technical industries can be positioned as solutions to unemployment and economic growth, not just as niche sectors. For organisations working in training, accreditation, or technical fields, strategic communications like this make the connection between industry expertise and national development visible and compelling.
by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business
Property is more than bricks and mortar — it’s one of the most effective tools for long-term wealth creation, especially when paired with South Africa’s current tax incentives. This release for Knight Frank positions the firm as both an investment guide and a trusted partner for high-net-worth individuals looking to maximize their portfolios. It’s a strong example of turning technical financial guidance into accessible, client-friendly messaging.
The Press Release : Knight Frank Property Investment
A Tax-deductible Property Portfolio is One of the Best Investments to Consider
Your assets for the future determine your current net worth today, and with a healthy property portfolio and the current SARS tax incentives in place, you as the property owner can maximise the growth of your investments.
In order to enjoy tax-free ownership incentives, property investment portfolios in South Africa may be residential, such as single-family homes, multi-family properties or commercial properties. The distinction lies in the fact they are ‘buy to let’ residential or commercial properties as opposed to falling under the income tax of primary residences.
Defined within an investment portfolio, your properties are considered ‘income properties’ that are bought and developed with the sole intention of earning revenue from them.
A successful property portfolio comprises of five or more ‘buy to let’ properties that are rented or held while the property appreciates. All expenses on your property portfolio are deductible from the rental income, before tax is calculated. The gains that you see to growing your net worth lies in the interest, capital gains and dividends you earn from them being completely tax-free.
Rental properties, such as holiday homes, guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments bought with the intention of generating rental income can not only cover your property’s bond but will also allow you to claim for certain expenses you may further acquire on the property. This might include levies charged by body corporates, repairs and maintenance, insurance premiums and municipal service costs charged to the owner.
Keep in mind that you can invest R33 000 per tax year up to a lifetime maximum of R500 000. If you contribute more than these maximums, you will incur penalties.
Your property portfolio investment is also beneficial in estate planning. Your dependents can be financially secured through estate planning which pays your beneficiaries immediately, does not incur executor fees and ensures your beneficiaries receive the maximum benefit from your estate.
As with any investment, Knight Frank advises you consult with a certified tax advisor to ensure you receive the best legal and investment guidance for your distinctive property portfolio.
ENDS/
Results & Impact
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Strengthened Knight Frank’s positioning as a trusted thought leader in wealth management through property.
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Reinforced the link between property investment, tax efficiency, and estate planning.
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Provided accessible, actionable guidance that positioned the firm as approachable for clients seeking clarity in complex areas.
This release illustrates the value of creating content that educates while positioning a brand as a premium advisor. If your company operates in finance, property, or wealth management, well-crafted releases like this not only secure coverage but also build trust and long-term client relationships.
by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business
Some press releases mark not just a company milestone but a national turning point. This release for House of Hemp captured a historic achievement: the awarding of South Africa’s first private commercial cannabis production license. It framed the win not only as a business development but as the start of a new, job-creating industry rooted in indigenous knowledge and global competitiveness.
The Press Release
The House of Hemp Strikes Green Gold for South Africa for the Second Time in History
Front-runners in the quest for using South Africa’s indigenous knowledge rights to commercialize medical marijuana and by products produced from hemp for the benefit and upliftment of our local economy, House of Hemp has been honored as the first private company to receive a license to commence commercial production.
Founder and visionary Dr Thandeka Kunene comments: “We celebrate this success for all of South Africa. It has been a 20 year journey of endeavour to fulfil a vision for a new industry that speaks to our nation’s cultural heritage, our skills, our resources and as a new business arm that will compete with global players. We believe we have received this honour based on our meritocracy fuelled by our passion and years of research. We are ready to fuel a new industry for South Africa in the product of hemp.”
History repeats itself
Since its grass roots endeavors in 1999, when House of Hemp first set down its mandate to be a part of a new South Africa focused on reducing poverty and creating jobs, its 28 black directors lobbied for their vision of a future hemp industry and won the first permit granted by the South African government at that time for cultivating hemp for commercial research purposes.
Working with research arm of the University of Free State and the Department of Science & Technology on non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) and its uses in the medical, food, textile, and fuel industries, House of Hemp’s exemplary protocols based on foundational values as a company has seen the company expand its footprint over the past twenty years. The result of House of Hemp’s efforts, together with the Department of Agriculture has charted a corruption-proof path towards a legitimate business blueprint for hemp production in South Africa.
Hi-tech operations underway
Following the recent granting of the first license for commercial production of Medical Cannabis within the new proposed Medical Controls Council (MCC) guidelines, operations have already ramped up at Dube Trade port’s AgriZone complex – one of the most high-tech agricultural facilities in Africa.
Once in full operation, House of Hemp will not only compete with the current high-value import industry but says it is poised to create 500 000 jobs in as little as 36 months and play a pivotal role in the countries future according to its National Development Plant (NPD).
With licenses already operating in Zimbabwe and Lesotho and the global success of hemp industries as seen especially in Canada and the United States, South Africa has, with the granting of the license for commercial hemp production, taken the first step to using its natural resources and cultural traditions as a mechanism to creating jobs while at the same time developing commercial opportunity to benefit agriculture, retail and government sectors.
Says Dr Kunene says: “We welcome discussions from other players in the industry who share the same vision and will continue to seek opportunities for our country by partnering for a rainbow nation that empowers everyone.”
A media briefing will take place on the 24th April 2019 at a venue in Johannesburg where the full roll out of House of Hemp’s strategy and its potential will be presented and where relevant stakeholders and potential investors can have their questions answered.
All enquiries can be directed to E: info@ihouseohemp.co.za
Results & Impact
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Positioned House of Hemp as an industry leader and first mover in South Africa’s cannabis and hemp economy.
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Elevated the role of founder Dr. Thandeka Kunene as a visionary voice in indigenous knowledge and commercial innovation.
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Generated interest from investors, government stakeholders, and international media in the future of the cannabis industry in South Africa.
Visuals (Optional Enhancements)
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Image of Dr. Thandeka Kunene.
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Photo of Dube TradePort AgriZone facilities.
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Infographic showing projected job creation and economic impact.
Closing / Call-to-Action
This release demonstrates the power of framing a single license approval as a transformative industry moment. For companies navigating regulation, innovation, and market entry, strategic messaging like this builds credibility, attracts partners, and anchors public perception at launch.
by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business
When it comes to luxury travel, exclusivity is the ultimate currency. This release for Hayward’s Grand Safari Company positions the brand at the pinnacle of African travel experiences — mobile 5-star safari expeditions designed for royalty, celebrities, and corporate elite. With its mix of sensory storytelling and corporate appeal, it’s a great example of how I build luxury narratives that both entice and establish authority.
The Press Release
Hayward’s Secret Safaris Cater to the International Elite seeking Travel Exclusivity
Where do royalty, millionaires and corporation heads like to travel? To unique, untouched locations where no one has stepped foot before and where no one may disturb their peace, unless of course, it’s the nocturnal roar of a big cat on the prowl or sweet bird song chorusing to a pink-hued African dawn.
Celebrated as Africa’s 5-star safari specialists, Peter & Celia Hayward and their skilful service team have been conjuring up big group safari adventures and private mobile expeditions for over 25 years. Hosting high-end safari clientele and their staff entourage in Africa’s most beautiful natural wonders of sea, land and sky, many of their bespoke safari destinations lie within exclusive World Heritage Sites where access is restricted.
“You can find budget flights and hotel stays for the ordinary traveller just about anywhere on the globe these days,” says Peter Hayward, “but you can’t book a safari expedition in the era of Livingstone into untouched Africa. The Grand Safari is the art of bringing luxury living into bespoke experiences within pristine natural landscapes to co-exist in complete ecological balance. When our mobile 5-star safari expedition departs, not a blade of grade is left bent to show our group of private safari explorers were ever there.
“And we are clear that the emphasis is on privacy and personal luxury, from non-disclosure agreements to personal requests. If you want to smoke cigars from Cuba with a case of the finest wine or whisky at your side while stargazing in the Waterberg Wilderness, we are happy to oblige. If you want to set up a casino event as a private networking opportunity with a group of global business elite in the middle of the Kruger National Park’s Big 5 territory, we will make it happen. If you want to be entertained by your favourite international rock band in the Namib Desert for your 60th birthday with friends and family, we are your go-to team.”
Off the Radar
Choosing your own unique luxury destination starts by looking at the map. Then you are provided with choices for getting there and what you want to experience. Think luxury train travel, charter flights, overland vehicles, hot air balloons, luxury yachts and camel taxis.
Arrival at camp is a warm welcome which reveals only the finest in Livingstone-style safari comfort in 30 en suite Presidential Suites, manned by your personal butler. The dining tent caters to seven-course silver service meals, including mid-morning and afternoon high teas and sundowner cocktails served at various natural locations outside of camp.
When not engaged in safari excursions, Big 5 walking safaris, Big 6 diving excursions, or other business or adventure activities, a massage and spa service assist you to prepare for the evening’s black-tie events. Canapes, cocktails, oysters and champagne, wine and whiskey tastings set the tone until dinner is served and the evening’s entertainment commences.
“Culture, history, art, science, nature, adventure and food are pivotal players in each bespoke location,” says Peter, “and we incorporate choices for learning and entertainment within all of these, so our clients may experience the essence of action adventure along with immersing themselves in the local culture and current influencers that match with today’s authentically luxurious lifestyles.”
Customizable Corporate Incentives
It is not only celebrities who look for customized experiences that thrill and delight. Hayward’s Grand Safari Company is ahead of its game when it comes to one-of-a-kind travel incentives that are worthy of rewarding top corporate sales staff on international travel incentive programs that guarantee no individual participant could replicate the same for themselves or their families.
Achieving a once in a lifetime incentive trip for personally pushing the boundaries and achieving as a company incentive winner sets you apart from the rest, as you are whisked away to an unknown grand safari tented camp in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal. Its awe-inspiring to say the least, according to the Hayward Safaris’ latest group guests from Sanlam Connect International Convention who found themselves with breath-taking views over Lake St Lucia, backed by untouched coastal forest and dunes teeming with fauna and flora.
“One of my favourite pastimes is hunting down incredible camp site locations so we can offer guests the privilege of wilderness regions never safaried before and better still, where there are no other hotel options available, making it a truly rare and privileged occasion for all participants,” says Peter Hayward.
Whether you choose to be ensconced in a crater or the birthplace of mankind, amidst the San people, an island beach or a valley of a thousand purple tinged mountains, Hayward’s classic safari camps will take you there, just the way you want it.
Hayward’s Grand Safari Company provides tailored experiences in custom designed safari camps into unexplored Africa, compiled by experts with the utmost taste and insider knowledge for total travel exclusivity for VIP private groups and well-heeled globetrotters. Visit www.haywardsafaris.com
Results & Impact
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Positioned Hayward Safaris as Africa’s premier provider of ultra-exclusive mobile safari experiences.
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Secured coverage in luxury lifestyle, travel, and incentive industry outlets.
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Elevated brand appeal to both ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and corporate incentive buyers.
This release illustrates how luxury branding goes beyond simple description to evoke an experience that only a select few can access. If your business is seeking to elevate its messaging to attract a discerning, global clientele, I can help you shape communications that not only describe, but truly transport your audience.
by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business, Firehorse Media
Sometimes the most powerful brand stories are born out of frustration — when someone refuses to accept what the market offers and dares to create their own solution. That’s the story of Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of Nilotiqa Haircare, a homegrown brand for natural African hair that has transformed into a household South African name. This feature article, written at the time of Nilotiqa’s acquisition by Sunpac, highlights her journey from determined entrepreneur to category innovator as she set out to redefine black women’s relationship with their hair.
The Entrepreneur Feature
Entrepreneur Feature/ Thokozile Mangwiro of Nilotiqa/ Sunpac / February 2022
Counting Confidence One Head at a Time for Nilotiqa Black Haircare Founder
She is shy, petite, and laser focused. And rare. It is not the money that inspires South African Thokozile Mangwiro, founder of Nilotiqa Haircare for black women but rather the discovery of her own formulation of organic hair treatment that speaks to every black woman who has stood in the face of adversarial marketing that wants to straighten, smooth, dye and reshape a black women’s hair, as if her natural crowning beauty is something to be avoided and changed.
With Krugersdorp roots and a family drive for an education, ‘Thoko’ duly completed university and followed a career in programming and business intelligence. But, frustrated by the hair care products on the retail shelves being marketed to black women, Thoko felt compelled to seek out her own organic solutions for maintaining her naturally managed, long Afro hair. Thoko set about researching and formulating Nilotiqa in 2014; and launched her brand in 2016 as a natural and organic hair care product solution to dry, brittle hair.
“Like most African women, our hair is characterised by kinky curls and grows closer to the scalp which makes it a challenge for our hair’s natural oils to travel down the hair strands to its tips. Nilotiqa is an organic and homegrown solution to maintaining your hair’s natural moisture,” she explains.
“Whether you wear a weave or braids, Nilotiqa keeps what is beneath – your natural hair – in its healthiest state,” she says. “When African hair is not adequately retaining moisture, it can lead to several conditions, such as dandruff, thinning of the hair, a receding hairline, or even worse hair falling out. These conditions can then have a significant impact on the health and aesthetic of the African coil.”
Entrepreneur Access into the Marketplace
Celebrating her grass roots success at delivering a solution to her new fans and followers who were overusing harsh, chemical treatments, Thoko was optimistic about being able to share her product with all African women on the local retail shelves. “I had no understanding of the ‘retail of retail’,” she laughs. “I pounded the pavements, made weekly calls to the major retail outlets where I knew I needed to be if I wanted to reach and speak to my local audience but none of the retailers were ready for my products.”
With no option for failure, having left her corporate career in 2017 to follow her dream of success with a solution specifically suited for curly, African hair, Thoko says she quickly learnt what it was to have an abnormal amount of persistence. “I learnt how to speak up. I found out how to make myself more visible. I didn’t have an option to give up. I would cry on the bathroom floor and grind through months and months without an income. I could not imagine Nilotiqa not fulfilling its highest potential. It was a solution for African women that deserved to win.”
It took two years of knocking on retail doors to for Nilotiqa to debut products onto Clicks retail shelves nationwide; then a further year of pain and purpose from Thoko, and public outcry from South Africans at racially biased marketing content from a globally distributed hair care brand, for Nilotiqa to debut on the shelves of Dischem and Pick n Pay nationally.
“Running my own business, managing the marketing, finance, production and distribution while also managing my family and two young sons, was a learning curve. I never doubted Nilotiqa was a good product, that kept me going, but as an entrepreneur who was unfamiliar with the challenges of the national retail sector, I knew I needed help.”
Acquisition for Growth
Enter Sunpac and a conversation with CEO Shaun Laffer which led to the Sunpac acquisition in early 2022.
Says Thoko, “I had another investment opportunity on the table at the time, but for me, Sunpac was the type of partner, backed by a team, which understands the business I am in. As a leading distributor of top international hair care brands, Sunpac aligns with the Nilotiqa ethos which places a value on black female consumers needs and their financial restraints.
“The Sunpac agreement now allows for key investments for growth, while I can continue to maintain and manage the core of the Nilotiqa business and develop the range to include other personal care categories too. There is a lot to be done. All the processes for retail distribution are changing and we are upgrading our branding and labelling, but the process of formulation will not change.”
Speaking into the potential of her newfound future, Thoko says, “I want to see Nilotiqa become a household brand; to define the luxury of what it is to be an African woman. There are competitors in this field, however my products are unique, I know what I have to offer – it is all about the customer and what they are looking for in a brand that is healthy for their hair. With Nilotiqa, each and every consumer is the influencer for this incredible brand, in each and every way.”
Fabulous Forties for Future Fortune
Recently celebrating her 41st birthday, we asked Thoko to define her own secret dreams and ingredients for confidence and style.
“The secret ingredient I would wish for myself would be the inspiration and ability to express my inner world more. I am a dreamer at heart but until now, I have had to be a survivor. I dream of creating products that are easily accessible to woman who, like me, are busy, hard working women that love quality and believe that they too deserve to feel beautiful. I want to create products that allow women to express their true selves, even when the world around them makes them feel unseen or small. As an African woman, I think we have so much to offer to the world and we desperately need to express ourselves more.”
For now, weekends are spent with her close-knit family bonding over games of tennis or swimming with her boys, or taking early morning prayer runs through her neighborhoods. “Having natural hair that is healthy is easy hair. When you start using Nilotiqa you will discover that your hair starts growing again. This year will be defining for the Nilotiqa brand and it will be defining for black women everywhere.”
About:
The Nilotiqa Hair Care Range is 100% home-grown, organically sourced, and locally formulated to deliver a plant-based moisturising hair care range perfectly suited to natural African hair care. Inspired and birthed from exquisite shea butter, it is formulated with oils from the nuts of the vitellaria nilotica tree, a beautiful tree, indigenous to the upper Nile region of Central Africa. Only the finest and most luxurious ingredients have been selected from South Africa and Africa to be delivered in an organic and naturally formulated product.
The Shea & Coco Collection is specifically formulated for dry and brittle hair and is designed with the combinative power of Shea butter and coconut oil to deeply nourish, care for and replenish moisture back into your hair. Start your healthy hair journey today www.nilotiqa.com.
Results & Impact
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Positioned Nilotiqa as a trusted, authentic voice in the natural haircare market.
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Strengthened brand authority by aligning Thokozile’s personal journey with her company’s growth.
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Secured visibility for the Sunpac acquisition while reinforcing Nilotiqa’s unique market position.
https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/style-beauty/hair/2022-02-22-home-grown-nilotiqa-hair-brand-gets-a-boost-from-sunpac/
Counting Confidence One Head at a Time for Nilotiqa Black Haircare Founder
https://www.dsbd.gov.za/stories/garage-retail
This feature demonstrates how storytelling humanizes a brand and elevates an entrepreneur’s voice as part of her company’s growth narrative. If your business has a founder story, a new partnership, or an acquisition moment, I can help craft the narrative so it resonates with media, customers, and investors alike.
by Mercedes Westbrook | Sep 18, 2025 | Business
One of the most impactful releases I’ve written was for a collaboration between The Rhino Pride Foundation and Novita Biotech, highlighting the first use of regenerative medicine to treat rhinos injured in poaching attacks. This release had to communicate both the scientific credibility of the treatment and the deep humanitarian message behind protecting one of Africa’s most endangered species. It’s a strong example of how press releases can connect audiences emotionally while building brand and cause authority.
The Press Release
Humanitarian Hope Through Healthcare Pioneers Regenerative Medicine for Poacher-Wounded Rhinos
Humanity in support of sustainable solutions to aid, rescue and protect endangered rhino populations vulnerable to the rising numbers of poachers is highlighted by a recent ground-breaking collaboration between The Rhino Pride Foundation and Novita Biotech with the delivery of regenerative medicine and biotechnology healthcare for surviving rhinos and their young, which have withstood vicious armed poacher attacks.
Recognised as one of Africa’s Big Five, rhino are gentle horned herbivores which are today, highly endangered, and ruthlessly hunted by organised crime cartels to meet the voracious demand from Asian countries for the trade in illegal rhino horn. As in all warfare, if the rhino being hunted is not killed outright, it is left critically injured and in agony.
Specialist Wildlife Veterinarian Dr Jana Pretorius, founder of the Rhino Pride Foundation operates a secure and protected rhino sanctuary in South Africa where injured rhinos are treated and can roam wild following recovery. Together with Baby Rhino Rescue, involved with the foundation’s anti-poaching unit from the onset, orphaned rhino calves are fed and cared for too.
Now, in a co-operative healthcare outreach, Novita Biotech has become the first documented healthcare organisation in the world to supply injured rhino with a pioneering regenerative medicine administered through the injection of systemic Hyaluronic Acid and Proglycan treatment in injured rhinos for pain management and long-term quality of life.
Medical Hope for Critically Injured Rhino
Despite his diminutive name, Junior is a male bull rhino which weighs in at over 1200 kilograms, and a survivor of a recent poaching attempt. The bullet from a poacher’s high-velocity gun which entered through the left side of his chest had started migrating, causing Junior pain and discomfort. Due to his injuries, Junior was moved to the Rhino Pride Sanctuary approximately two weeks after the attack where the Proglycan treatment was administered without incident, with Junior’s positive recovery being monitored daily.
“Regenerative medicine aims to recover the normal function of diseased or damaged cells, tissues and organs, and speed healing and bone strength,” explains Dr Jana Pretorius. “As a non-profit organisation we are uplifted by the many people who work tirelessly in the background to help support and save our rhinos. It gives us incredible hope and it is a glimmer of hope for the future of our rhino in Africa. We are incredibly thankful for this long-term partnership with humanitarian Alexandra Mszewski of Novita Biotech which sets the foundations for the future treatment of injured rhino and increases the numbers of rhino saved from death.”
Novita Biotech is a Cape Town-based biotechnology company that supplies affordable cutting-edge human medical, aesthetic medicine and veterinary medical device products to industry professionals. Headed up by sole owner and shareholder Alexandra Mszewski, the company has developed the first commercially available systemic regenerative equine treatment derived fully from a unique system of processing autologous blood.
“From day one Novita Biotech has been founded on the principle of creating hope through healthcare; this has always been our purpose and mission,” says Mszewski. “The affordability and accessibility of health care products, especially to those who need them the most, is behind what we do and the poaching of rhino horn which leads to rhino deaths and injury is unfortunately a very real South African problem. As an animal lover I want to make sure that our rhino benefit from health products that the Rhino Pride Foundation would not necessarily have access to.
“The Novitas Biotech business model of hope means we are able to give back thirty percent of our profits to those who need it. We want to support this very real African problem where the recipients really need it and our rhino can benefit from our healthcare with restored and extended life.”
Largest Private Rhino Sanctuary in the World
Due to the tremendous increase in rhino poaching and the high cost of feeding rhinos, many private rhino owners have had to give up their rhinos. This is where the Rhino Pride Foundation steps in, providing a haven for these rhinos, thus becoming the largest sanctuary of privately owned rhinos in the world.
The sanctuary provides a secure yet natural free-roaming habitat for endangered rhinos and utilises tracking technology to monitor poachers and prevent access to the reserve. Working collaboratively with Baby Rhino Rescue, they fund the purchase of milk, teff, and three anti-poaching dogs.
Currently, the Rhino Pride Foundation is completing infrastructure to the Sanctuary to nurture and protect more than 40 injured rhinos daily, with continued needs for orphan milk, fencing, the installing of thermal cameras, 24/7 security patrols, security gate and control room headquarters for the ongoing protection of rhino, medical support and the management of a sustainable rhino sanctuary where protected rhino which can live, breed and roam wild.
Adopt a Rhino
Enabling meaningful long-term partnerships both locally and globally, you can become part of the systematic plan to save the rhino through symbolic adoption. All donations for the Sanctuary go to Baby Rhino Rescue to be disbursed by the Board of Directors. Symbolic support for a specific rhino means the donor will receive updates about projects and rhinos.
Inspired and passionate about the future of healthy rhino populations, Dr Jana Pretorius says, “We are focused on building trust through the successful delivery of honest and transparent initiatives, such as this medical-first partnership with Novita Biotech, so we can continue to education our future generations to be our wildlife conservationists and champions so that we might treat all living creatures with integrity and respect.”
ENDS/
Results & Impact:
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The release was picked up across conservation, health innovation, and humanitarian news channels including: Getaway, IOL and Weekend Argus:
https://iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/2021-12-16-regenerative-medicine-and-superior-pain-treatment-brings-hope-for-our-endangered-rhino/
https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/new-medicine-pioneered-for-rhinos-that-survived-poaching-attempts/
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It positioned Novita Biotech as a leader in regenerative healthcare and showcased the Rhino Pride Foundation as a credible conservation authority.
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It helped drive awareness for symbolic rhino adoptions and fundraising for the sanctuary’s infrastructure.
This release illustrates how humanitarian storytelling and science-backed innovation can combine to inspire action. If your organisation is seeking to communicate purpose-driven initiatives — whether in conservation, healthcare, or corporate sustainability — I help craft press releases that secure coverage and galvanize support.
