Educational support

SA Eagle Bursary Fund
The SA Eagle Bursary Fund continued in 2004 and eight students who wished to continue their studies towards the BTech (Education) were supported. Progress reports provided by the South African Institute of Race Relations, who administer the fund on behalf of SA Eagle, state that the students are showing satisfactory results. As in the past, students are counselled biannually, their progress is monitored and support and guidance is provided.

University donations
SA Eagle has been donating funds to the major universities in South Africa for many years and during 2004 this practice continued. An amount of R100 000 was split between ten universities. The funds were not allocated to specific projects, use thereof was left to the discretion of each institution.

Donations pool

Ad-hoc donation requests were, as usual, acknowledged by way of small monetary donations. During the course of 2004 a number of charitable organisations in need of assistance were supported in this manner.

BEE CSI Strategy (as required by the Financial Sector Charter)

During 2004, research was conducted with a view to selecting a CSI partner with whom SA Eagle could build a sustainable and strategic partnership. In this regard, the Company is seeking to develop a synergistic, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with our chosen partner. Available options are currently being reviewed.

Conservation initiatives

SA Eagle Trust Fund
The SA Eagle Trust Fund, set up to sponsor eagle conservation activities, continued in 2004. The task of the Trust Fund Committee, which comprises representatives from SA Eagle and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, is to evaluate and decide on funding for suitable projects.

Raptor Conservation Group (Birds of Prey Working Group)
2004 saw many changes take place within the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Their working group, the Raptor Conservation Group, underwent a name change and is now known as the Birds of Prey Working Group. Both the structure and management team within the Endangered Wildlife Trust changed and, despite these changes, SA Eagle’s support continued. The following projects received support from the SA Eagle Trust Fund:

Administrative support
As part of the change process that was taking place within the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a workshop that formed part of the Raptor Conservation Group’s annual conference, was initiated. Funding was provided in order to facilitate the smooth and effective execution of this workshop.

Kalahari Raptor Project
SA Eagle’s support of the Kalahari Raptor Project continued in 2004. The main objective of the project is to change the attitude especially of stock farmers, to accommodate eagles and other species of birds of prey on their farmland. The project’s boundaries cover mainly the Kalahari region of the Northern Cape Province but also extend to parts of the adjacent North West Province.

The project includes the constant monitoring of the raptor population for any increase or decrease tendencies, as well as monitoring changes in the population dynamics or composition.

To communicate the conservation message, slide talks are presented to as many schools, farmer unions and other influential organisations as possible. Field trips and workshops are presented, not only to members of the community but also to members of the media.

As an incentive, farm workers and school children are rewarded with “nest ransoms” for every active nest that is reported. This process provides a kind of guardianship while, at the same time, educating those involved about the breeding behaviour of raptors.

SA Eagle National Eagle Day
October 1 is known as SA Eagle National Eagle Day. This day is dedicated to educating various sectors within the broader public about the importance of raptors.

In 2004, the focus was to raise funds in order to build the monetary resources in our Trust Fund to a level that would enable us to continue supporting the conservation initiatives in which we are involved. Staff members were encouraged to find creative ways in which to do this and, although the focus was on building our resources, a conservation theme was advised.

Staff embraced the challenge and funds, in excess of R135 000, were raised to further our conservation effort.

SA Eagle RCG Eagle Information Help Line
The SA Eagle RCG Eagle Information Help Line which puts farmers and the general public in contact with the field co-ordinators, as well as providing information for school children’s projects continued. Literature, which explains the role of the Raptor Conservation Group, as well as educating the general public (especially farmers) about raptors was also circulated to callers via the RCG office.

SA Eagle Cross Country 4x4 Club
All Terrain Insurance Policyholders are involved in the projects supported by the SA Eagle Trust Fund by means of a pledge, made by SA Eagle and Cross Country Insurance Consultants, of R2 per policy. The income generated during 2004 amounted to around R170 000 and was used to support the various aforementioned conservation projects as well as to produce a newsletter keeping Club Members updated on the projects and activities in which they can become involved.