The annual Kudu Awards acknowledge those that have ‘demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability, improving livelihoods, achieving real change on the ground in our national parks,’ SANParks said in a statement.
This year the event was held on Friday 29 November at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand and among the winners were the filmmakers of the acclaimed documentary Stroop which took the award for Best Television Journalism for 2018/2019.
The independent documentary feature film Stroop – Journey into the Rhino Horn War gives an in-depth look at the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa as well as the demand for rhino horn in Asia. Filmmakers Susan Scott and Bonné de Bod took four years to film the documentary, which received its 26th award (with many international awards among them).
Along with the Kudu Award, Stroop’s filmmakers, Susan Scott and Bonné de Bod, were awarded R20,000 in cash which they have donated to the Kruger National Park’s Special Ranger K9 Unit, to continue to support its anti-poaching work.
Can you believe we picked up the 26th award for @STROOP_film last night, the @SANParks Kudu Award for Best Television Journalism!
They’re all special, but this award comes with a R20 000 cash prize which are giving to the Kruger Special Ranger K9 Unit featured in the film! pic.twitter.com/A59OlqBlnA— Bonné de Bod (@Bonne_de_Bod) November 30, 2019
‘So thrilled that we can give back to fight on the ground,’ TV presenter and filmmaker Bonné de Bod said at the ceremony, adding ‘the dogs are a successful component to the unit and despite being “low-tech”, they are costly to have and we urge those in the public to give if they can to efforts there’.
Visit stroop-film.com to download the movie or find a screening near you.
Image: SANParks/ Twitter
Also read: Addo’s anti-poaching dogs get their own obstacle course
