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Tireless efforts to save rhinos and protect the environment

Tireless efforts to save rhinos and protect the environment
Hellen Dena, project lead for Greenpeace Africa’s Pan-African Plastics Project. (Photo: LinkedIn)
Zukiswa Pikoli
By Zukiswa Pikoli
25 Dec 2024
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An innovative public-private partnership is making a meaningful difference in the fight against poaching, and an anti-plastic activist shows the way in fighting pollution.

Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation


The Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) was founded in 2016 in response to a rampant increase in rhino poaching in the Greater Kruger, an area that is home to the world’s largest wild rhino population, comprising more than 2.5 million hectares of unfenced wilderness. The GKEPF is a trailblazing public-private alliance between one provincial park, one national park and nine private reserves to service the protection needs of the western and eastern buffers of the Kruger National Park and the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier National Park. 

According to the organisation, it translocated 120 southern white rhino successfully to its member reserves in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in an operation that took place in mid-2024. This translocation was the second move to occur under Rhino Rewild, an ambitious plan to rewild 2,000 southern white rhino in secure protected areas in Africa over the next 10 years.  

While foiling many poaching attempts, the GKEPF has also successfully rolled out the physical placement of numerous technologies and reporting systems in an integrated “operations control" cell out in the field, and set up close working relationships with communities in the area through its members and alliance partners. 

Hellen Dena


hellen dena Hellen Dena, project lead for Greenpeace Africa’s Pan-African Plastics Project. (Photo: LinkedIn)



Hellen Dena, project lead for Greenpeace Africa's Pan-African Plastics Project, has been vocal about the urgent need for African leaders to take decisive action against climate change and plastic pollution. At the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, she emphasised the interconnectedness of plastic pollution and climate change, advocating a global plastics treaty that will mandate a significant reduction in plastic production by 2040. Her call to action aimed to align with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C, showcasing her commitment to sustainable practices.

Under her leadership, Greenpeace Africa has launched multiple campaigns aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting renewable energy investments. These initiatives are vital for addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing the continent.

Dena's advocacy prioritises frontline communities affected by environmental degradation. She highlights the need for sustainable alternatives and systems that respect the rights of those who historically have protected their environment. This approach not only addresses environmental issues, but also promotes social justice. Dena’s work has gained recognition beyond Africa, positioning her as a key figure in global environmental discussions. Her efforts contribute to shaping policies that impact both local and international environmental landscapes. DM

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