MAGAZETI LEO JUMATATU

R.I.P. SATAO 2 - a giant amongst elephants

©Dex Kotze

Another giant has fallen to poachers, and the remaining estimated 25-30 Tuskers survive in small pockets across East and Southern Africa, pursued by poachers and trophy hunters alike. You see it’s their tusks, 100 pounds each side to qualify as a ‘Tusker’, that is their crowning glory and their death sentence. 

Our blog post earlier this week goes into the details of Satao 2’s death, and so right now my team and I wish to pay tribute to him, as we did in 2014 for his erstwhile companion Satao, also claimed by a poacher’s arrow. Every time one of these gentle giants goes down to a poacher or trophy hunter we lose another part of Africa’s soul. 

In the following pages, you will hear from some of those who had the privilege of being near Satao 2 recently, who were touched by his massive, gentle presence and who feel saddened at his death. You will also find out more about Tsavo National Park in Kenya, and about what you can do to help. 

There are of course many good people working under incredible pressure all over Africa, to stem the tide of poaching. On this occasion though, the spotlight falls on the good people of Kenyan Wildlife Services and the Tsavo Trust, who work tirelessly to safeguard Tsavo’s gentle giants. 

Richard Moller, who runs Tsavo Trust, has called for a few of the Tsavo Tuskers to be granted Presidential Security Decree, as was the case with the famous tusker 'Ahmed' of Marsabit National Park in the early 1970s. Now there is a campaign worth supporting! 

If like me you do feel emotional, angry or downright frustrated about the situation, consider finding out about Tsavo Trust and donating some of your hard-earned money. Every little bit helps. 

Simon Espley

Africa Geographic CEO

- See more at: http://magazine.africageographic.com/weekly/issue-141/rip-satao-2/#sthash.yDFzJ5N1.dpuf

Unbeaten Zambia triumph to lift U20 AFCON title

Zambia are the 2017 Under-20 AFCON champions after downing Senegal 2-0 in the final at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Beston ‘Quicksilver’ Chambeshi’s side lifted the title with a one hundred percent record after winning all their four games and are also unbeaten 11 successive official matches since the team was constituted last August.

Goals from Patson Daka and Edward Chilufya added the Under-20 title to Zambia’s honours roll after the senior teams 2012 Africa Cup triumph in Gabon.

Daka put Zambia ahead in the 17th minute after benefitting from some poor goalkeeping my Lamine Sarr who spilt the ball into the striker’s path and the striker ruthlessly finished it off with ice cold precession.

Sarr was again at fault for the second goal in the 33rd minute after some poor communication with his defender when he rushed out of his area.

The goal was credited to Chilufya although replays show Sarr and the defender nearest to him may have conceded an own-goal.

Shenanigans then manifested just before the hour mark when African football’s darkest side stole the spotlight briefly when Ibrahima Niane and his colleagues seemingly planted juju in the Zambia goal.

Referee Thierry Nkurunziza defused the situation and also booked Ibrahima Ndiaye for his role at the scene of the crime but Zambia were in cruise control heading into the last 30 minutes despite Senegal push for a comeback.

Meanwhile, Zambia now become the 4th host country to win the Under-20 title after Egypt in 1991, Morocco in 1997 and Ghana in 1999.

Chambeshi and his charges now take a month off before regrouping in April ahead of their trip to Suwon for the 2017 FIFA U20 world Cup that South Korea will host from May 20 to June 11.

The draws will be made on May 15.