24 PROJECT
An industry united for one cause
Compiled by
Megan O’ Connor, with input from Machel van Niekerk, Kalahari Wildlife project
An inspirational animal handler, a centre to protect injured and endangered animals, and a plumbing industry that stopped at nothing to help make this vision a reality all combined to create and support this project.
The Kalahari Wildlife Project started the construction of their student accommodation in November 2025 and is a true testament to the impact that the plumbing industry can make. that needed it during my free time. I also wanted to give back to the Northern Cape in some way, and I felt the need to get involved and that it was the right thing to do.”
Who started the project? Machel van Niekerk started the facility. The idea for the Kalahari Wildlife Project came about because so many people kept finding animals that needed care, but they didn’ t know what to do with them.“ I was at home, and on the farm I felt I had the space to help them. I am a qualified veterinary nurse, and I wanted to help the animals
All about the Kalahari Wildlife Project The Kalahari Wildlife Project is a rehabilitation centre for injured and endangered animals registered by Nature Conservation, and which has permits to handle and feed the animals.
The facility is not bound by a set size – as animals come into the centre, the grounds of the facility are expanded as needed depending on the size and quantity of animals they are currently caring for. Similarly, the project avoids making enclosures that could harm the animals in any way, and as an animal grows, the centre increases the size of its environment.
The centre does not have any restrictions on the types of animals that they take in. Basically, any animal that you can find in the Northern Cape is accepted into the facility – even if they have come from another province and are found in the Northern Cape. Their biggest concern about what animals they take into their care is simply whether they can ship them. www. kalahariwildlife. com
Pangolins are among the most endangered species in the world.
While at the centre, the carers ensure that the health of the animals is upkept and when the animal is deemed fit, they are released into the wild. Similarly, animals from other provinces are sent back to the province they came from when they are deemed healthy.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline February 2026 Volume 31 I Number 12