"We have not inherited the world from our forefathers - we have borrowed it from our children." ~ Kashmiri proverb
For human.kind advertising CSI is more than just an occasional project but rather it is a sustained practise that incorporates its business ethos: to act with purpose. The heart of the agency comprises a team of people who are client-focussed, environmentally conscious, socially aware and willing to live these values through the brand. In this spirit human.kind started a fundraising initiative for NGO, WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) and phase one culminated with a handover of just short of R14 000.00.
The initiative started with an internal challenge to create powerful pro-active artwork illustrating the horrific truth and side-effects for World Rhino day earlier this year. There were many worthy contributions by staff members but one shone above the rest. Senior designer, Willem Kitshoff, created a cataclysmic vision of Africa de-horned and defaced, complete with blood sheeting from the stump. The design has two variations, on black and on white, cleverly representing the plight of both black and white rhinos. The somewhat disturbing imagery is arguably an ingenious and beautifully crafted design that the agency then decided to adapt into T-shirts which could be sold via its corporate network. Advertising the items at the bottom of all staff email signatures, staff rallied together and have sold 170 T-shirts to date, with a second phase currently being rolled out.
Managing director of human.kind, Deon Kruger said, "Our motivation is simple; human.kind cares. Not just about each other and our work, but about bigger issues like the community and the environment. We understand that we need to play a part in sustaining the planet, and this is at the heart of our approach to everything we tackle. Choosing to support WESSA was a natural fit for us as we want to be a small part of its success as a sustainable intervention to save the rhino."
Garth Barnes, conservation director at WESSA added, "We're so grateful to human.kind for initiating this fundraising drive. The money collected from the sale of the T-shirts will go towards one of WESSAs interventions which is to help build the National Rhino DNA database. This will aid in the prosecution of poachers as well as the genetic management of rhino populations."
The powerful pro-active artwork illustrating the horrific truth and side-effects of the devastating situation of the Rhino, created by senior designer at human.kind, Willem Kitshoff
Deon Kruger, managing director of human.kind with Garth Barnes, conservation director of WESSA
human.kind is a unique agency of talented creatures who revel in providing creatively driven solutions for clients. It has a vested interest in social and environmental health because its aim is to exist in a state of harmony with the world beyond its office walls. When it comes to communication, human.kind prides itself on its skilful advertising, strategic insight and solid brand development.
 and phase one culminated with a handover of just short of R14 000.00.)