2022 was an exceptional year of growth for Love Africa Marketing and we are grateful for the continued support and opportunities given to us by our tourism and conservation partners.
From campaigning for endangered species conservation and highlighting the harrowing realities of the lion trade industry; to telling stories of hope and sharing the beauty of our continent, 2022 was an unbelievable year of opportunity.
Impact has always been what drives Love Africa, which is why our clients, and the incredible work that they do, mean so much to us. We are hugely thankful for their trust and support. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our team, which grew by two members in 2022. With this growing team, we were able to achieve so much during the course of the year.
There were so many fantastic story-telling opportunities in 2022 and it was very tough to choose just ten highlights.
We hope that you enjoy reading about them below.
1. 30X30NOW: A Global Campaign Launch
In February 2022, Love Africa together with WILDTRUST, supported by Campaign for Nature and National Geographic, spearheaded the launch of a campaign urging South African leaders to support the global goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
‘Science says reaching this minimum goal will help slow down the alarming loss of nature, fight the global climate crisis and ensure a more economically sustainable future for people.’
30×30NOW was a national online campaign to highlight this urgency and focus on awareness based communications with strong calls to action for the government and members of the public in South Africa. Running for 8 weeks, it included a series of opinion editorials that were placed in key media outlets.
A recent update – Since the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in December 2022, South Africa together with other UN members committed to the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, a historic global framework to safeguard nature and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, putting nature on a path to recovery by 2050.
2. The Launch of Making CONTACT with Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Making CONTACT – a five-part mini-documentary series celebrating and profiling anti-poaching K9 units in South Africa’s nature reserves – was launched across South Africa by Hill’s Pet Nutrition in July of 2022.
This launch was a time of immense excitement for the Love Africa team, as we had spent much of the previous year filming and producing this series with Hill’s and our conservation partners.
Filmed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Kruger National Park and Cape Point, the series tells the personal stories of five dogs and their handlers, highlighting the companionship, perseverance and connection between them and the important link with our natural environment.
Not only was it exceptionally profound to have the opportunity to highlight these amazing dogs and teams, it was also wonderful to receive recognition as a finalist in two categories for The New Generation Social & Digital Media Awards.
In addition, Love Africa Founder and Managing Director, Nicola Gerrard, was invited to join and present at The Conservation Symposium’s ‘Canines in Conservation’ panel, together with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
View our behind the scenes images HERE.
3. Black Rhino Range Expansion Efforts with Wildlife ACT
In April 2022, Love Africa assisted with documenting an important conservation initiative for the Critically Endangered Black Rhino, involving the translocation of four Black Rhino bulls within KwaZulu-Natal. The move formed part of WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and was another important step forwards in terms of provincial conservation efforts being led for the species.
Participating and recording the essential conservation efforts being made by dedicated and experienced professionals is something our team always feels privileged to be part of.
4. Launching On the Brink with WILDOCEANS
Love Africa assisted long-term partners, WILDOCEANS, in the digital launch of ‘On the Brink’, an important national campaign aimed at shark and ray conservation in South Africa.
It aims to highlight the importance and value of new sanctuary areas in South Africa’s Ocean for the species, as well as strengthen support for the designation and establishment of Protected Areas, and their effective management.
These animals are among the most endangered species on the planet, with a third of the world’s shark and ray species being listed as threatened.
Watch the launch video HERE.
5. Revealing the Earth’s Deadliest Predator with Shark Attack
2022 was a big year of film production for Love Africa and this was a great campaign concept to film. Durbanites at heart, getting our toes in the sand is always a bonus when getting creative and starting conservation conversations with our communities.
Working alongside Lauren and her team from WILDTRUST, we hit the Durban beachfront to show members of the public the world’s most dangerous predator. Watch the video below to see what they had to say.
Watch the video HERE.
Production team; Sven Musica, Lauren van Nijkerk, Janelle Barnard and Nicola Gerrard
6. Iconic Lesotho Horse Races with Semonkong Lodge
Semonkong, a small bustling town in the southern part of Lesotho, holds the heart of horse culture in this mountainous country. Once a month, during the winter months, crowds gather to give the Basotho ponies their time in the spotlight for the iconic pony races.
During a winter photographic shoot at Semonkong Lodge – our longest tourism partner – Love Africa had the privilege of experiencing and capturing this occasion.
View our full photo blog HERE.
7. Storytelling with Babanango Game Reserve
in KwaZulu-Natal, has undertaken a significant rewilding journey and Love Africa has been fortunate enough to join their team in supporting their communications and telling some of the exciting stories that have come about as a result.
“The establishment of Babanango Game Reserve is one of the largest conservation projects of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal over the last 30 years. Over 75% of the land has been invested by the surrounding communities, headed by the Emcakwini, Kwangono and Esibongweni Community Trusts – bringing people into the heart of conservation of the area. Combined, all three Trusts invested 17 374 hectares of the 20 056 hectares of Babanango Game Reserve.” Babanango Game Reserve.
In October, we documented the introduction of Black Rhino, which formed part of WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.
This important and historical event was recorded in the form of a trailer and short film produced by Love Africa with team members Nicola Gerrard, Sven Musica and Kirsty Baker.
Watch the FULL short film HERE.
8. Over R 1 400 000 raised by Rhino Peak Challenge
The Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg – a 21km hike/run with over 1,300m of vertical climb – has become the iconic location of a challenge to raise funds for endangered wildlife with the Rhino Peak Challenge.
In September, Love Africa joined the team in pre, post and live digital coverage of the 2022 Rhino Peak Challenge. This was the third time we were able to cover this epic challenge and it is always such a highlight on the calendar.
Team member Megan Whittington attended the challenge on behalf of Love Africa and Wildlife ACT and personally managed to raise just over R7000 for the cause in the Global Run.
Through the efforts of the ambassadors, a record-breaking amount of over R1 400 000 was raised. The funds raised by the Challenge are donated to rhinos, vultures, and cranes conservation efforts driven by Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
Read more HERE.
9. ‘There is Power in our Mountains’ short film - Pony Trekking with Semonkong Lodge
In November team members Nicola, Casey and Sven had the most amazing trip to Lesotho to produce a short film for Love Africa’s longest clients: Semonkong Lodge.
The film highlights Semonkong’s unique overnight pony treks, which feature local guides and packhorse teams for an immersive experience of mountain life and Basotho culture.
Lesotho has always held a special place in Love Africa’s heart, with Founder and Managing Director Nicola Gerrard having spent years in the country’s tourism industry. Seeing the beautiful Kingdom from the back of a horse and sharing the experience with all who watch the short film has been one we’ll never forget.
‘There is Power in our Mountains’ has been selected as a finalist for the Japan World Tourism Film Festival in their international competition out of 1286 films submitted.
Learn more HERE.
Read more about ‘There is Power in our Mountains’ HERE.
10. Working with ALL RISE
ALL RISE – Attorneys for climate and environmental justice is a non-profit organisation and registered law clinic for climate and environmental justice located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This passionate, powerful and experienced all-women board is one of a few law clinics in South Africa with a specific focus on environmental and climate change law.
Love Africa was proud to be able to work with ALL RISE in 2022, assisting in the sparking of important discussions and sharing of essential messages. It is always inspiring for our team to learn from and engage with ALL RISE on environmental justice.
Love Africa's Top 10 Images of 2022
Have a look at our favourite 10 images from last year taken by our in-house photographer, Casey Pratt.
As always, a big thank you must be said to our clients, partners, and team members for making this year’s achievements and impact possible. Thank you for giving Love Africa Marketing the opportunity to make change with you.
Ready to work with us in 2023? Get in touch HERE.