There was preening and fluffing of feathers, not at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), but for the ten winners of the Pose for Penguins make-over. This fundraising initiative for APSS was the brainchild of Nicolene Richards and Karin Franken and in just a couple of weeks raised an incredible R10 200 thanks to the support of the local Gansbaai residents.

The red carpet was laid out at Hair Style Studio where hairstylists, Natasha van der Berg and Elmarise van Dyk and make-up artists,  Amorette Groenewald and Jeanre du Plessis worked their magic.

Nicolene and Karin had as much fun styling each individual lady adding splashes of colour courtesy of Komtessa Boutique.

Photographs of the before and after were captured by Sanchia Chivell.

Food was provided by the Great White House, wine sponsored by Creation Wines, with gifts and Champagne sponsored by the organising duo.

“Fundraising initiatives like this go a huge way in helping the needs of the endangered African Penguin, a species whose survival depends on all of us not just those directly involved in their rescue and rehabilitation. 

With an estimated 18 000 breeding pairs left and a possible extinction in the wild by 2030, we have to do everything in our power to turn this around,” said Wilfred Chivell, founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. “A very big thank you for the support of everyone especially the ladies that used their time and talents to create a successful make-over day.”

Nicolene Richards supports the sanctuary in various ways and plunged right in to help the penguins, “Karen and I did what we love doing, using our passion for styling to make a difference. We are already planning our next one. Congratulations to all the winners.”

 The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary is a project of the non-profit Dyer Island Conservation Trust NPO 05-024. The APSS is open to the public every day from 9 to 4 with a feeding time at 3pm.

Entrance is free.

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