Africa is dying … under our very eyes!

In the diminishing numbers of its game, the continuous stream of species that become extinct, the overpopulation of the continent and gradual but increasing decay that we witness around us.

But this is history, as they say - nothing new.  What you are studying here however is new, both in concept and our approach to it!

The Artists for Africa Wildlife Trust is a unique non-profit organization whose members joined its ranks, to give back just as much as they receive.

But we mean giving in the widest sense of the word – through our financial contribution, trough partnering with like minded individuals and organizations to achieve a common goal, through our industry, through our efforts – in fact by the sweat of our brow!

The only way, in which we can ensure this, is to assume accountability for our conservation efforts.  More than anything else, we want to impress upon you, the reader, the seriousness of our intent as well as the gravity of the situation that faces all of us, if we chose to ignore what is happening in Africa.

What do we envisage?

Our Vision

To continually strive towards, invent, implement and manage innovative conservation methods and support efforts that will add measurable and transparent value to the living beings that is was intended for – the wildlife on Africa.

Our Mission

In short, we know that there is no second place in this race and the first prize is nothing less than the heritage of our children and ultimately the survival of the human species!

For that reason, we embrace the survival rules of a predator as our mission:

·        Increasing our opportunities,  e.g. fundraising by setting the example of giving:

·        Maximizing our impact, e.g. teaming with existing conservation bodies and structures to achieve common goals:

·        Decreasing our risk, e.g. acknowledging and realizing the common business benefit that will ensure a lasting relationship (even in giving ): and

·        Saving energy, by learning from the experience of others and applying it.

Why is our efforts – and to partner with you - vital?

The African Lion was recently placed on the endangered species list, following the Rhino and several other species.  Two out of five is not bad – but if it means placed on the endangered species list, it is enough to make any sane person sick!

I guess the real reason for this, is that it is 5 to 12 on the big clock of our planet and midnight is lights our!

The fact that you are reading this document is a compliment in itself.  It means that you take your responsibility serious and so does your organization.  But our cause – and the wildlife of Africa – needs mire than pretty words in a document or good intentions.

We, like you, are pragmatists that want to make a difference here and now.  That is why we are talking…

Who are we?

The Artists for Africa Wildlife Trust initially started as the brainchild of an artist with a vision of a better Africa and the insight to understand that the future is not fixed.  It is the sum total of what we do today.

Our ranks include artists, conservation experts, decision-makers of conservation bodies, entrepreneurs, business people and ordinary people like you and me.

In time, the numbers of the Trust grew and began to encompass other organizations that share the same cause.  With each new entity that shares this case, our opportunities grows BUT we go to great pains to ensure that our vision stays cleared and focused.

Our commitment to solid business practices and our awareness of the clear, cold facts ensures this.

Where do we focus our efforts?

Wherever it is needed and we can add realistic value.  Current projects include among others fundraising for the Endangered Species Unit of the South African Police Services as well as a research project to find a cure for Bovine Tuberculoses that is decimating our African Lion and Cape Buffalo populations.

Who de we approach conservation?

Partnering

We opt to partner with organizations and bodies that aim to achieve the goals as we do.  This way, each of us can focus on out strengths while achieving mutual benefit for all parties that are involved in this venture.  This “best of breed” approach ensures success.

Best Practices

The only way to survive long enough to achieve our goals, in the harsh South African economic climate, is to apply the business practices that worked for the best and most successful business entities on the planet.

Unlike the label that conservation organizations normally have, we understand that emotion has its place – in our marketing – in our passion.  In the past, this was exploited by organizations that bled the contributions to such an extent that only a small percentage of the money intended, actually reached it’s target.  We do everything according to solid business foundations, for that is the only way to ensure a lean, effective organization that can put its money where its mouth is.

Marketing

The only way in which we will make a dent in a society that is raised on cellphones, TV and remotes, is through aggressive publicity and gaining a place close to our audience.  To this extent, we believe that it is better to whisper in his ear than to shout at him through a loudhailer.  We know that it cost money to market but we also learnt through past experience that good old ingenuity is worth its weight in gold.  To that extent, we will do what we can with what we have today – in partnership with people that thinks the same way as we do.

Conclusion

We can quote pretty phrases, spout emotion or write down everything you wish to know but time is running out.  We would like to take a shortcut and get to the real word.  That is the purpose behind this all.

Let us rather works out a plan of action that will benefit everyone involved and ensure real value to the wildlife of Africa.

We can only win for if we fail, all may be lost.

THIS IS THE FIRST AND LAST PLACE WHERE YOU WILL SEE THIS ART AGAIN…

Unique Reference Material

The work you see around you – including this one that caught your eye – did not originate from a published photo or a coffee-table book.  Precisely because of this reason you will not find a  “Big Five” that looks remotely like the ones you normally see in works of art.  Nor will you find a sculpture or painting of “Shawu” or any of the late great elephants that is depicted everywhere else – simply because Shawu and the other “Great Ones” passed on to the place in the sky from where they keep vigil over the new

“Great Ones” – there ones you witness here before you.

We go to great pains to collect our own reference material of living “Great Ones” out there in Africa. 

Each reference photo will be available to you on request.

Exclusive Work of Art

Each work of art that we produce is unique – it can’t and will never be reproduced again.  The rule is simple – one set of reference material – one work of art!

The only exception to this rule, are the bronzes, a set of less than 10 will be available.  We appreciate that for a discerning art and wildlife patron such as yourself, only the best is good enough.  Precisely for that reason, we do not work in anything but the purest of media we can find.  Because of the pure splendor of real bronze, a small number of replicas will not diminish the work in stature and value.

This is an Investment for Life

This piece of art will increase in value due to the facts above.  Today, nothing is certain except death and taxes.  This however is an investment that you will come to appreciate more everyday, because of its magnificent splendor, its sheer magic and the fact that you own a piece of art as unique as anything done by Da Vinci or Michelangelo.  And they did not get their inspiration either from a coffee-table book!

ARTISTS FPR AFRICA WILDLIFE TRUST

You are making an investment for life – in a magnitude that is difficult to comprehend.  We channel part of the proceeds that you invest in this magnificent art, to conservation bodies through the Trust.  That way, we all – you and I – ensure the Africa will survive for our children and their children.

We do not inherit this continent and its splendor from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children.  In 50 years, this piece of art might be the only record of yet another extinct species.

Make this Art Treasure YOURS & join us in the chain of life… Africa is all we have!