MASKANDI singer Buselaphi Gxowa has joined the fight against rhino killings by releasing a song that condemns the ongoing brutality.
In her latest offering titled Yekani Ukubulala Obhejane (stop killing the rhinos), she appeals to the government to protect South Africa's heritage.
The Department of Environmental Affairs says this year alone about 588 rhinos have been lost to poaching.
Gxowa, pictured, explains that she wrote the song because she felt that rhino killings were getting out of hand.
"I don't think people understand the value of having rhinos in our country. We need to teach people the importance of preserving our own heritage and nature.
"Game reserves are not there just to entertain people, they are there to preserve these animals and make sure they multiply."
Gxowa says she uses music to convey the message because music is a universal language. The song's lyrics say: Ngikhalela abantabami ngoba ubhejani sebeyowuzwa ngendaba, ngenxa yalezi zelelesi (I weep for my children and the next generation, who will only read about rhinos because of these unscrupulous criminals).
"It will be the same story as dinosaurs, we only see in movies that they existed. I am appealing to South Africans to protect and love these rare species.
"We need to protect them against the criminals who are killing them," she says.
The country has lost 140 more rhinos than the 448 that were poached last year, while 224 poachers were arrested last year and 165 the year before.
According to the latest figures, 39 rhinos have been killed in the past two weeks.
The Kruger National Park has been the hardest hit with 362 rhinos lost to poaching. North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal collectively lost 186 rhino.
Gxowa is also nominated for the first Amantshontsho Kamaskandi Music Awards taking place in Durban on Saturday.
- bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
Gxowa joins chorus against rhino killings
MASKANDI singer Buselaphi Gxowa has joined the fight against rhino killings by releasing a song that condemns the ongoing brutality.
In her latest offering titled Yekani Ukubulala Obhejane (stop killing the rhinos), she appeals to the government to protect South Africa's heritage.
The Department of Environmental Affairs says this year alone about 588 rhinos have been lost to poaching.
Gxowa, pictured, explains that she wrote the song because she felt that rhino killings were getting out of hand.
"I don't think people understand the value of having rhinos in our country. We need to teach people the importance of preserving our own heritage and nature.
"Game reserves are not there just to entertain people, they are there to preserve these animals and make sure they multiply."
Gxowa says she uses music to convey the message because music is a universal language. The song's lyrics say: Ngikhalela abantabami ngoba ubhejani sebeyowuzwa ngendaba, ngenxa yalezi zelelesi (I weep for my children and the next generation, who will only read about rhinos because of these unscrupulous criminals).
"It will be the same story as dinosaurs, we only see in movies that they existed. I am appealing to South Africans to protect and love these rare species.
"We need to protect them against the criminals who are killing them," she says.
The country has lost 140 more rhinos than the 448 that were poached last year, while 224 poachers were arrested last year and 165 the year before.
According to the latest figures, 39 rhinos have been killed in the past two weeks.
The Kruger National Park has been the hardest hit with 362 rhinos lost to poaching. North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal collectively lost 186 rhino.
Gxowa is also nominated for the first Amantshontsho Kamaskandi Music Awards taking place in Durban on Saturday.
- bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
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