13 February 2014, those touched by the lives of Mandela will gather for a celebratory memorial event at St. Paul The Apostle Roman Catholic Church in New York City. The tribute will include performances and appearances by world-renowned actor Morgan Freeman, the honorable Bill Clinton and the Grammy-winning Soweto Choir. These entertainment and political powerhouses are gathering to commemorate the life and legacy of Madiba as well as the 20th anniversary of democratic freedom in South Africa – an achievement in which he played an invaluable role.

Throughout the evening, Morgan Freeman will perform dramatic readings from the original transcripts of Mr. Mandela's letters, speeches, and personal writings. These readings will be followed by the Soweto Gospel Choir, who will fill the cathedral with songs that honor Mandela’s life and vision. Concluding the event, Bill Clinton will candidly discuss his admiration of Mandela, his work with the Mandela Foundation, and his visions for the future – a future inspired by Madiba himself. 

For ticket information and more on the event, CLICK HERE. 

This holiday season give your loved ones the best gift of all – the gift of a future where Africa’s most cherished species still majestically roam. By adopting an orphaned African elephant or rhino through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), you are directly supporting the sustainability of these two beloved, endangered species.

DSWT was established in 1977 with the mission of protecting Africa’s wildlife from the emerging threat of poaching, a threat that has since well established itself and today runs rampant. DSWT’s main vehicle for conservation is its Orphan’s Project, which has achieved global recognition through its largely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation initiatives. So successful, in fact, that since its inception, DSWT’s Orphan’s Project has hand-raised more than 150 infant elephants and effectively reintegrated them back into wild herds, contributing to the births of many healthy, wild-born calves.

Unlike other adopt-a-species programs where recipients receive a photo of a generic ambassador animal, DSWT’s gift adoption program allows gift-givers to choose exactly which orphan they would like to sponsor – offering a more personal connection. Each of the 24 elephant and two rhinoceros orphans available for adoption, have an online profile which includes its name, age, multiple heart-warming photos and a brief biography explaining where the orphan came from and its charted progress at DSTW.

For example, Kamok is an 8-month-old elephant that was welcomed to DSWT when she was deserted by her herd at only one-day-old. She is believed to have been left behind because of her weak joints, which caused her to slow down the herd. Today, thanks to her compassionate keepers at DSWT, Kamok is healthy, learning what it is to be an elephant, and slowly gaining better control of her tiny trunk.

To watch a video of Kamok’s rescue CLICK HERE.

For as little as 50 USD, you can help sustain Africa’s wildlife population for years to come. So forgo the snaking lines and last-minute chaos, give your loved ones a gift that they can share with humanity – the beauty and mystery of the African elephant and rhino.

To adopt an orphaned elephant or rhino for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, CLICK HERE.

Last month, ROAR AFRICA board member and African-bush expert Henry Smith revisited some of his favorite safari spots - namely, Londolozi. His pictures, included below, attest to the amazing game viewing in Sabi Sand Game Reserve - he even spotted the elusive leopard! 

Sabi Sand is the birthplace of sustainable wildlife tourism in Southern Africa, and is the oldest of all the private reserves in South Africa. Although it is not a part of the Kruger National Park, it does share its eastern border with the park, and animals pass unhindered between the reserves.

Its incredible game isn't the only thing that sets Sabi Sand apart - some would say the lodges in the region set the national standard for level of design, decor and service. Its 5-star lodges along with second-to-none game viewing create at incomparable experience for visitors that is certain not to disappoint - perfect for first-time safari-goers.