On 29th August, our founding partners, Mokolodi Nature Reserve celebrated their 30th Anniversary by hosting a gala dinner at their infamous Education Centre. The centre served as an apt reflection of what the Mokolodi journey has been as it has seen hundreds of thousands of youth from Botswana and beyond her borders pass through its halls over the years; each one learning to see the world anew. The chief guest was His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, the President of Botswana. In his speech, President Masisi spoke about his own personal relationship with the Reserve – as a young government officer he was appointed to different committees during Mokolodi's early days, and he also was present during the visit by the Royal Princes William and Harry in 2010. In a full circle occurrence, he is now the Patron of the Reserve.
The evening presented the additional opportunity to launch founder couple, Judge Dr Ian Kirby and Gwithie Kirby’s book detailing the history of Mokolodi which features a foreword by the President. The first copy, autographed by His Excellency, was auctioned off for over BWP 10,000. This was but part of an auction that raised over BWP 300, 000 for the Reserve and its overseeing Trust within 30 minutes – giving true testament to the commitment of the local business community to continue the reserve’s conservation legacy well into the future.
CCB was proudly represented by two of our long-serving staff, Boitumelo Mokgosi (Finance Coordinator) and Nidhi Ramsden (Development Manager). With CCB having been born at Mokolodi, the evening’s MC, Dennis Ramokgau - Education Coordinator, didn’t miss a chance to make this known as part of their legacy.
Mokolodi is where Rebecca first worked with the ambassadorial cheetahs at the time, Duma and Letotse. This experience is what fed the realisation of the gap in the country in that there was no one working on cheetahs. Thus, the idea of CCB was born. Nidhi's first conservation-related assignment was also as a volunteer at Mokolodi in 1999. On legacy, Mr Sedia Modise received notable mention in the President’s address on the night that marked the 3rd anniversary of his death. Having served on the Mokolodi’s Board of Governors and CCB's Board of Directors, the indelible mark he has left on conservation in the country & the region at large is still felt.
We are proud to celebrate this milestone with our friends, and wish them only more growth from strength to strength.
The evening presented the additional opportunity to launch founder couple, Judge Dr Ian Kirby and Gwithie Kirby’s book detailing the history of Mokolodi which features a foreword by the President. The first copy, autographed by His Excellency, was auctioned off for over BWP 10,000. This was but part of an auction that raised over BWP 300, 000 for the Reserve and its overseeing Trust within 30 minutes – giving true testament to the commitment of the local business community to continue the reserve’s conservation legacy well into the future.
CCB was proudly represented by two of our long-serving staff, Boitumelo Mokgosi (Finance Coordinator) and Nidhi Ramsden (Development Manager). With CCB having been born at Mokolodi, the evening’s MC, Dennis Ramokgau - Education Coordinator, didn’t miss a chance to make this known as part of their legacy.
Mokolodi is where Rebecca first worked with the ambassadorial cheetahs at the time, Duma and Letotse. This experience is what fed the realisation of the gap in the country in that there was no one working on cheetahs. Thus, the idea of CCB was born. Nidhi's first conservation-related assignment was also as a volunteer at Mokolodi in 1999. On legacy, Mr Sedia Modise received notable mention in the President’s address on the night that marked the 3rd anniversary of his death. Having served on the Mokolodi’s Board of Governors and CCB's Board of Directors, the indelible mark he has left on conservation in the country & the region at large is still felt.
We are proud to celebrate this milestone with our friends, and wish them only more growth from strength to strength.
Pictured: President Masisi & First Lady with the Kirbys, Boitumelo and Nidhi with US Ambassador Howard Van Vranken, Regional Dignitaries, Nidhi with Gwithie and Lise Kirby, Sedia Modise with cultural performers (2009).
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