Local game reserves Shamwari and Kwandwe are for the first time combining their annual game auctions in the Frontier Game Sale at Sidbury Country Club next Saturday. The day-long event will incorporate the auction, between 12pm and 2pm.
Local game reserves Shamwari and Kwandwe are for the first time combining their annual game auctions in the Frontier Game Sale at Sidbury Country Club next Saturday. The day-long event will incorporate the auction, between 12pm and 2pm.
“It is the first time at this venue. I hope it will be successful,” Dr Johan Joubert, Wildlife Director of Shamwari, a major seller at the event, said this week.
Shamwari, Amakhala, and other independent game reserve owners and game farmers will be among the sellers.
While Kwandwe will not be selling this year, animals will be kept in bomas at both Shamwari and Kwandwe. The bomas will be open for public viewing the before and after the auction.
Joubert said animals being auctioned included impala, kudu and zebra, as well as highly sought-after species such as buffalo, black impala and rhino.
Because rhinos remain under threat, buying one is not a simple process. Joubert said strict regulations were in place, including that buyers must be authorised by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and must hold a permit to own a protected species.
“Combining and moving the auction to Sidbury Country Club gives a more centralised venue. And it will boost the club’s viability,” explained Richard Gush, Chairman of Sidbury Country Club.
The event will also be raising money for the club, through activities such as clay pigeon-shooting and golf chipping.
The weekend’s rugby line-up will be screened and there will be stalls selling country lifestyle goods. Visitors can enjoy live music, braai-food and the club’s pub. A highlight of the event will be a potjiekos competition between the game reserves and locals.
For children there will be slippery slides, jumping castles and face-painting.
There is no entry fee and the event is open to all.
“It is a family day out where people can come eat and drink and make it a merry occasion,” said Gush.
