Lighting the Way for Lazula, SPAR Rhino Firelighters Fuel Rhino Care

Photo Credit: Zululand Rhino Orphanage

SPAR’s Rhino Firelighters initiative raised over R87,000 for the Zululand Rhino Orphanage last year, supporting Lazula, a blind rhino calf who is now thriving. The campaign continues this year, proving small purchases can spark big change.

South Africa (16 September 2025) – A small purchase at your local SPAR has been doing big things for rhinos in need. And with KwaZulu-Natal being hardest hit by rhino poaching, every effort to help teams support rhino orphans is essential! This year alone, the country has seen 195 poaching incidents.

Last year, for every pack of SPAR Rhino Firelighters sold, R2 went straight to the Zululand Rhino Orphanage, a sanctuary dedicated to caring for orphaned calves left behind by poaching. By the end of the campaign, South Africans had helped raise R87,564.

One of the lives touched by this support is Lazula, a remarkable rhino calf who arrived at the orphanage in 2024. Found wandering into a ranger camp, it soon became clear that Lazula was almost completely blind. He could only see shadows, the likely cause of his fear and cautious behaviour. But thanks to the dedicated care of the orphanage team and community support through initiatives like SPAR’s, Lazula has grown into a thriving 16-month-old, already weighing over 500kg.

Now part of a crash of fellow young rhinos, Lazula has been learning to play, explore, and adjust to life in a larger boma. His congenital cataracts still present challenges, but specialists remain hopeful that his blindness might one day be reversible. Until then, the orphanage continues to provide the round-the-clock care he needs to thrive.

“Supporting the Zululand Rhino Orphanage through our SPAR Rhino Firelighter initiative is deeply meaningful to SPAR. Seeing Lazula grow and thrive despite his challenges shows the difference that collective care can make. It’s a privilege to contribute to protecting such an iconic species for future generations.” – Judith Gale, SPAR Private Label Head of Marketing.

SPAR is once again igniting the initiative this year, giving shoppers the chance to light their braais while also lighting a path of hope for some of South Africa’s most vulnerable wildlife.

“This Heritage Day, as we gather around the braai to celebrate our heritage, let’s also unite to protect our heritage – the rhino. SPAR Rhino Firelighters help us keep the flame of hope alive at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. SPAR’s support lights the way for our orphaned calves’ future.” – Karen Odendaal, COO of the Zululand Conservation Trust

This initiative is being supported nationwide, and R2 from each purchase will go towards Lazula and the rhino who need it most. SPAR is continuing with this initiative throughout 2026 as well, to make the most impact for these little lives.

Because sometimes, sparking change really is as simple as striking a match.