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Responsible Travel in South Africa - "The Rainbow Nation"We hail from South Africa and still find it a thrill - the people, the breathtaking scenery, yummy-licious food and of course, the awesome wildlife and nature reserves.
Affectionately called the "Rainbow Nation" by Desmond Tutu, South Africans are made up of about 45 million people from all nationalties, creeds and colours. The first democratic election was held in 1994 and South Africa is still rebuilding itself from the horrors of its apartheid past. Sadly, there are still many people living below the breadline. Tourism is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy what South Africa has to offer, as well as for local communities to uplift themselves and to learn about their cultural and natural heritage. It may come as a suprise, but many South Africans don't even know what a leopard is, or what one looks like! Education is the key to unlocking the secrets of nature, which in turn inspires people to care. Caring people become involved and they take responsibility. Therefore, it's not only imperative for travellers to South Africa to treat this magncificent country with the respect it deserves, but also for South Africans to. With so many people living in squalor, it's very tempting to accept large sums of money for hunting, especially for the killing of (critically) endangered species. The local communities aren't aware of the benefits that wildlife has to offer and hunting provides a "quick solution" to a dire situation. Many people believe that it is our right to hunt for trophies, and that it's part of our cultural heritage. But not so long ago, we also thought that of slavery. Many South African establishments openly boast their abuse of wildlife, such as "canned lion hunting" or big game trophy hunting. Other establishments do this on the quiet. The fact is, people brandishing guns only make a situation worse. Blinded by desire for a trophy, hunters from around the world don't seem to know or seem to care about the negative impact of their actions. Fortunately, there are tourism operators who don't agree with this policy and often forego the large sums of money to preserve their natural heritage. They teach local communities about the value of wildlife and to keep it alive. They create an environment where people and wildlife are in harmony. From children to adults, they instill a deep appreciation for wildlife and nature - for many generations to come. Responsible tourism in South Africa includes:
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