IN A move aimed at aiding water conservation in South Africa, Glenfiddich, announced the launch of the third edition of its Challengers Club.
The announcement was made at a black-tie auction and gala dinner, when 11 of the rarest Glenfiddich expressions were auctioned and all proceeds are going towards funding one of the Worldwide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) high impact water conservation initiatives in the country.
This edition sees the brand partnering with creative entrepreneur Maps Maponyane and freediving instructor Zandile Ndhlovu.
The Challenger’s Club is a movement of change makers who are passionate about South Africa’s potential and are connecting and collaborating to facilitate solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
Maponyane a social change maker and also a World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Board Member, and Ndhlovu, South Africa’s first black Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) freediving instructor, aims to help raise awareness around the problem of water scarcity in South Africa and to ensure that quality water is accessible to all.
For his daring sojourn into the unknown, Maponyane travelled to Iceland, where winter temperatures can drop as low as -10 degrees Celsius, in search of water untouched by man and therefore completely free of microplastics. He brought back this rare specimen of the most precious commodity on earth as a souvenir to raise awareness around water security.
“Finding water untouched by man meant literally going to the edge of the world – an incredibly difficult trek. The irony of it all is that if we keep polluting our water, finding the best quality will someday no longer be an adventure to write home about, because polluted water will be a way of life. Something I truly believe no South African or anybody in fact should have to experience,” says Maponyane.
In her bid to raise awareness around microplastics in our oceans, Ndhlovu braved the crushing pressure and muscle numbing cold temperatures that are synonymous with deep sea diving to clear the ocean floor of plastic.
“Diving for me is a beautiful escape and a deep passion of mine. So, when I was presented with the opportunity to partner with Glenfiddich, especially for such a great cause, I didn’t think twice. I’d love for everyone to someday experience it but the sight of the bottom of the sea is no enchanted aquatic scene. The pollution is rife and unmissable. We honestly should all be doing more to conserve this precious resource,” says Ndhlovu.
At the auction and gala dinner, R137 500 was raised which will go towards water sustainability initiatives, endorsed by World Wild Fund.
“This partnership is such a great way to further celebrate a decade of the Journey of Water for us as the WWF.
As we continually strive to spread the message that “water doesn’t come from a tap” our goal has remained the empowerment of our communities to help conserve water for a better tomorrow. Water is crucial to our livelihoods, the economy and biodiversity, and to have brands like Glenfiddich helping to shine the light on such issues truly does go a long way,” says Justin Smith, Head of the Business Development Unit, WWF-South Africa.
“Being changemakers is part of Glenfiddich’s legacy,” says Kelly Johnson, Portfolio Manager for William Grant & Sons.
“We understand that when people come together great things happen. This is not a gimmick for us, but a commitment to do our part for mother nature. These bottles are beyond just collectors’ items, they are conversation starters that will go on to encourage actionable change anywhere they are found.”
Follow the journey here: www.challengersclub.co.za
