The KZN Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) is working to raise a targeted R1.5 million from this year’s Comrades Marathon Association’s Amabeadibeadi Race4Charity campaign.
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Last year, the Comrades Marathon community of runners and supporters, helped raise over R1.5 million for the SANParks Honorary Rangers through the Comrades Race4Charity Drive, funding critical conservation support across South Africa’s national parks.
Following the severe flooding in Kruger National Park earlier this year, this iconic park has seen extensive damage to roads, bridges, tourist infrastructure and operational facilities and activities. Several K9 unit kennels were damaged, placing additional strain on the teams that rely on highly trained dogs to track poachers, locate contraband wildlife products and support ranger patrols across the park. These canine units are widely regarded as one of the most effective tools in protecting endangered species.
This year, the funds raised from the SHR Comrades Marathon Race4Charity and Amabeadibeadi campaign will continue to provide vital support for the various anti-poaching and conservation efforts in Kruger National Park and other parks managed by South African National Parks (SANParks).
Last year, funds raised by runners through Race4Charity helped to renovate and upgrade anti-poaching facilities, kennels for K9 units and training of new K9 anti-poaching dogs, with 2 dogs – a Bloodhound called Yoris and a Bloodhound Cross named Khargi – purchased for tracking in the Kruger National Park.
Wildlife monitoring and protection equipment was purchased for Mountain Zebra National Park in the Eastern Cape.
In the Western Cape, the K9 unit at Table Mountain National Park was renovated and upgraded, while in the Richtersveld National Park, security cameras were installed to protect endangered succulents threatened by poaching.
Finally, funds were also donated to the organisation’s Embrace National Project which provides support for rangers at the frontline of conservation, through trauma and stress management programmes and life skills training.
In 2026, Comrades supporters and runners can get involved in several ways:
- Runners already registered for the Comrades Marathon on 14 June 2026 can sign up for Race4Charity and select SANParks Honorary Rangers as their fundraising charity of choice, then encourage friends, family and supporters to sponsor their run in support of SANParks Honorary Rangers.
- Supporters can sponsor runners directly via the Race4Charity website (https://charity.comrades.com/events/comrades-marathon-2026).
- Other ways to help are to buy Comrades Toyota Win-A-Car Competition tickets to stand a chance to win a Toyota Corolla Cross, or purchase Amabeadibeadi merchandise from volunteer members of the SHR. Competition tickets sold by the SHR can be purchased here.
“Every contribution helps to protect South Africa’s National Parks,” says KZN Region’s Committee Chairperson, Gavin Abel.
Image Courtesy: Supplied
