Those Great Johannesburg Girls!

Almost 34 000 signatures for the Animals Matter petition have been collected by the students of the oldest finishing school in the country, the Johannesburg Academy for Finishing and Etiquette (JAFFAE).

Said Corrien Baumgardt, JAFFAE's Principal: “It is not enough that our girls leave this Academy as beautiful beings on the outside. As women of tomorrow, we need to cultivate in them an awareness of their social responsibility, especially towards those whose voices cannot be heard - children, animals and even the environment at large.”

Corrien believes that, as women, her students have an extraordinarily important role to play. “As women, we are sensitive to issues and need to speak out for what is right and demand that the world around us behaves with moral integrity,” she said. “This is part of our curriculum relating to 'personal growth and development'.” 

This year, JAFFAE's aim for the Animals Matter petition, is bigger than ever before. “When it comes to this petition, our girls are totally driven!”  Corrien said.

Photo Above (from left): Palesa Mngomezulu, Mrs. Corrien Baumgardt (principal),Pumi Mngomezulu, Alexa Aitchison,Thiresha Naidu.

South Africa could receive Animal Welfare Leadership Award!

Nick de Souza, head of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (Africa) told Animal Voice:

“South Africa is well placed to win a coveted 2007 Animal Welfare Leadership Award, which will be presented to countries achieving 100 000 signatures on the Animals Matter global petition this year. South Africa’s position is all the more remarkable, given the size of its population.”

He added: “This achievement is entirely due to the country embracing the spirit of Animals Matter and the heroic efforts of the Humane Education Trust and its supporters in putting it before the South African public