An African Legend Series

Thanda and Thembi # # #

Trying to compile the 3rd book in the An African Legend series has been an absolute up hill battle. A test of endurance and persistence. And this has not ended. We have had to keep the date open for longer as there are just not enough entries as yet. If you know anyone who has any Rhino or White Lion artwork or poetry please send them the information. We really want this book to be the best yet. Much love in light Michele

An extension has been given yet again to ensure that we give you the most time to get your entries in. It is now Apr 2015 # # #

Isn't this just far too amazing!!!! A true example of what our 3rd Book will be about... This interaction. By the way - I have extended the deadline.... to the end of November 2014

I am so excited to tell you all that our 2nd An African Legend book is now on Blurb and people can see it and order it at: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3737369

Or you can order it from myself if you are in South Africa for R199 plus postage.

Much love
Michele

An African Legend: White Lions and Marine Mammals This 2nd in the 'An African Legend' series is yet again a celebration of humanity and the love it shows for the featured animals. Being White Lions and all Marine Mammals. All proceeds yet again go straight to the on-the-ground conservation organisations to ensure the protection of these beings. ...

The 2nd book is finally going to publish in 2 weeks!!! We will print 150 limited edition writers proofs and then start the bulk roll! Much love to all of you who have so patiently been a part of this experience. Now let us focus on our Sacred Messengers! And then we attack the Rhino issue. Much love Michele

In a chilling echo of apartheid-style governance, the City Council of Johannesburg through the Johannesburg Zoo announced that Nyanga the White Lioness was moved to a Free State Sanctuary called Four Paws on Monday.

Johannesburg City Council , who technically ‘own’ the White Lioness, were required to follow due process in placing her in the best sanctuary circumstances, after they finally agreed to spare her life.

However, despite numerous appeals from local community members of the Acornhoek area in the greater Timbavati region, the Johannesburg City Council’s team failed to address a valuable opportunity to reclaim enriching cultural heritage that has been decimated since apartheid years in this area, declared a Presidential Poverty Node.

Numerous appeals in support of the community-conservation organisation Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT) and requests to bring her home to her ancestral homelands at the instruction of Sangomas and Ancestors, were sent to the Johannesburg City Council, informing them of Nyanga’s cultural, spiritual and familial status in Tsonga and Sepedi culture.

Harmony Khosa, author of the ignored letter and youtube clip to the Johannesburg City Council, said: ”I am saddened and confused about the Mayor not coming back to me – the community are still waiting for a response. I would have liked the Council to inform us of every move they made about where she goes, and to respond to our letters - and not to hide the reasons for what they are doing.

“The white lions are special and sacred animals to our culture, and we treat them as our brothers and sisters. For them to be removed from their original region, it’s like taking our belief and spiritual powers away from us. With this situation that’s going on, it’s taking our strength out of us. We were hoping that she would come and give us the power and knowledge back to our culture and people in the community. My aunt, Maria Khosa, Lion Queen of Timbavati, gave Linda Tucker the title of “Keeper of the White Lions” and we are working with her to bring Nyanga home.”

The Global White Lion Protection Trust is the only organisation world-wide that has re-introduced White Lions of high genetic pedigree back into their natural ancestral homelands of the Greater Timbavati region, north of Acornhoek. Now this opportunity has been denied Nyanga.

The controversial move happened whilst Johannesburg City Council was in conversation with Linda Tucker, whose Global White Lion Protection Trust has been campaigning for the protection of South Africa’s White Lions since 2002. The WLT registered a Formal Complaint on 21 May 2012, regarding the absence of due process in selecting an appropriate sanctuary for Nyanga, and calling for a judicial review.

Over a period of several months, Johannesburg City Councillor Vondo’s and Mayor Parks Tau’s offices repeatedly failed to respond to letters, phone calls and offers to engage in the panel convened to make the decision. It even refused to provide an address for more than 15 000 letters and petitions demanding her safe-return to her ancestral and spiritual homelands, and the prohibition of South Africa’s abhorred captive lion trophy hunting practices, otherwise known as “Captive Animal Slaughter”.

Linda Tucker said: “We are incredibly disappointed that once again, our administration has failed to play a leadership role in the reclamation of conservation and cultural heritage that has all but been destroyed by South Africa’s trophy and canned hunting industries, captive breeding programs and mercantile trade in wildlife held sacred by African communities. Jo’burg City Council has squandered a valuable opportunity to act on behalf of the disadvantaged, disenfranchised communities of Limpopo/Mpumulanga Provinces, by making high-handed deals behind closed doors. The lack of transparency and blatant cover-ups are a sad testament to corruption and vested interests that are becoming deeply entrenched in governance and have been allowed to relentlessly benefit by raiding our precious national resources. It’s a sad day for animal and human rights. ”

I just got the most wonderful news. Corbett is to be given his own space, his own girl friends and loads of food. He will be free. This took a lot of deep contemplation, as Corbett had attacked Jon Varty in Tiger Canyon. Thank you Jon Varty - recover well and get back to protecting our (and others') wildlife. Thank you too for allowing us in to assist you in making the decision. Will definitely be involved in the auction to raise money for his new pad :-)

http://www.tigercanyons.co.za/newsletters54.htm

Corbett's Freedom After receiving so many angry, caring and passionate emails, messages on our blog, twitter and facebook, I now feel positive about the future of the Tiger Corbett.

We are thrilled to let you know that the City of Johannesburg has released a statement saying: "After consultation with the family of an employee who died following an attack by lioness Nyanga, the City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor and his Mayoral Committee have decided to release her to an animal sanctuary." This was confirmed at the Council Meeting today (Thurs April 26).

Thank you for all your prayers and signatures on the petition, which reached 5000 in 55 countries!

We are acutely aware that the effort for Nyanga’s freedom is not over yet: the critical decision of where the City of Johannesburg will grant her "sanctuary" is the next step, which requires that we retain our drive to bring her Home, and ensure she does not end up in one of numerous disreputable captive breeding operations posing as "sanctuaries". We invite you to join us tomorrow for the culmination of the prayer-appeal, holding the vision of Nyanga walking these sacred lands - just as we did a decade ago for the great White Lioness, Marah, who saw sunlight and open wilderness bushveld after a lifetime behind bars.

We have a few hours left, please sign the petition to save Nyanga's life. Much love Mich # # #

A passage to freedom for White Lioness Nyanga - The Petition Site With great urgency, we call on the Johannesburg City Council to release the White Lioness, Nyanga, from... (630 signatures on petition)

Winners and special mentions for the 2nd "An African Legend" competition - An African Legend: White Lions and Marine Mammals