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Gabriel Sithole, a popular South African radio presenter, photographer and wildlife conservationist, has been appointed as the official brand ambassador for the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) by Ford Motor Company of South Africa (FMCSA).
A passionate wildlife educator, specifically on snake safety and handling, Sithole’s appointment came with a Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT Double Cab to access remote destinations and work with conservation and environmental education projects.
Commenting on Sithole’s appointment, FMCSA General Manager, Marketing, Tracey Delate, said:“The Ford Wildlife Foundation plays an important role in supporting conservation organisations to preserve our natural environment, with far-reaching education and research programmes spread across Southern Africa.
“When Gabriel Sithole approached Ford to get involved with the foundation, we were impressed by his passion for nature and wildlife, and his commitment to raising environmental awareness. We are delighted to welcome Gabriel to the Ford family, and look forward to working with him through the Ford Wildlife Foundation as he travels around the country in his Ford Ranger, tackling some of the most critical issues affecting conservation efforts in South Africa.”
The Ford Wildlife Foundation is supported by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA), with involvement in over 150 conservation and education projects since it was originally founded in 1990. Education plays a key role in informing people about the importance of maintaining the region’s natural resources and biodiversity, and Sithole’s efforts will drive this process further through his various platforms as a radio presenter, nature and wildlife photographer, facilitator and educator.
“It brings me great joy to witness that Ford is at the helm of wildlife and nature conservation,” Sithole, who co-hosts the weekday Breakfast Show for Vuma 103FM in Durban, said. “I am exceptionally proud to be working with Ford and the Ford Wildlife Foundation, playing an active role in mobilising our society about wildlife and conservation. Having the extremely capable Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT Double Cab will greatly assist me in reaching more communities, particularly in remote and hard to reach areas.”
One of the projects Sithole is involved in is holding talks about snake safety and handling in his rural community of Eshane in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal. This aims to dispel traditional stereotypes and misperceptions about snakes, and informing people about their important function in the eco-system – and he aims to spread the message to more communities.
In addition to his current activities, Sithole also plans to publish two wildlife books, focusing on Southern African land mammals and birds.
“I wish for these books to eventually be incorporated at the school level, where wildlife and nature conservation can be introduced to youngsters as a subject,” he added. “My lifetime dream is to have a conservation-aware society, and by partnering with the Ford Wildlife Foundation, it brings me a whole lot closer to turning this dream into a reality.”
