Category: Animal welfare

Fine art photographer shares pearls of wisdom with Gqeberha

BY TSHEPISO MAMETELA – 10 OCTOBER 2023

LIFE LESSONS: Fogarty’s Bookshop owner Teresa Fogarty, left, and fine art photographer and East London inspirational speaker Marlene Neumann

Established Eastern Cape fine art photographer Marlene Neumann held an exclusive reading in Walmer of her recently launched book, A Dance with Life.

The event at Fogarty’s Bookshop gave a remarkable insight into her unique journey of dabbling in and developing a black-and-white darkroom process.

With an enthralled audience sitting back and eager to listen, the reading on Thursday offered key lessons to inspire new thinking based on nature and spirituality.

The East London inspirational speaker shared her personal and deeply philosophical offering on her first stop of a book tour in the city.

A donation drive added extra excitement to the evening as guests donated dog food in large quantities for charitable aid in Gqeberha.

The nature photography vet of 40 years, whose previous experience includes heading the art and design department at an SA Technikon, said people yearned for new experiences.

“The response from Gqeberha was beautiful and overwhelming,” Neumann said.

“People are hungry for this kind of vulnerability and rawness, and to bring it into their daily lives by opening themselves up to a new way of living.

“Many said they wanted me to come back and hold a few workshops.”

Traumatic and life-threatening circumstances in her life awakened in Neumann the importance of savouring each moment.

This deep appreciation through her own experiences allowed the audience to be transported on a gentle journey of self-understanding.

“This is what we need in society — just how to go forward in a new way of being,” she said after launching A Dance with Life, her third book, three months ago.

“A Dance with Life, like [the previous two books], is based around my photographs and, more specifically, about peeling back the layers of our own emotions through the photographs.

“It’s another way of being and feeling and giving people permission to be vulnerable.

“Busy, ordinary people want to learn a new way of life and it is time.”

On the donations, which brought in more than 100kg of feed which Save-A-Pet in Greenbushes will distribute at an informal settlement in Kuyga, Neumann expressed her keen love for dogs.

This, she said, was a testament to a project she runs focusing on sterilisation in East London’s informal settlement areas.

“The Buckaroo Sterilisation Drive serves as a fundraising and awareness initiative primarily focused on the welfare of animals.

“In the last five years, I have had 2,500 dogs sterilised by managing to get international funding.

“Wherever I go for the book readings, I will always collect dog food for a local dog charity.”

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Walking Yourself Home


Walking Yourself Home – some thoughts from a recording session for my new book! Would love to hear your thoughts.

There is a state of being that you reach. We have a concept, we have an idea in our minds of what spirituality is.

We are all on different levels of Karmic experiences.
I know I have come here to show people what a beautiful world we live in. And how beautiful we are inside and out. We struggle with ourselves, our emotions, our minds.

Love Marlene

Local Hero nomination for Marlene & Buckaroo Team

Marlene and her Buckaroo Team have been nominated for the Daily Dispatch and Johnson & Johnson Local Heroes campaign.

As Marlene says, “But it’s really amazing to see how much of a difference just a few passionate people can make.”

local hero is an ordinary citizen who selflessly does extraordinary work for their community. Daily Dispatch marketing manager Jennilee Peremore-Oliver said the Dispatch and Johnson & Johnson Local Hero Awards judges always looked forward to the unique nominations sent in each year and encouraged readers to nominate the people in their communities going the extra mile to help others.

“We are always looking for those unique stories; people who are helping others in unusual or special ways, because it shows that there is so much one can do to help our neighbours.

“We also look at the level of sacrifice the people have made to help their communities. These are just two of the characteristics that help nominees stand out,” said Peremore-Oliver.

Marlene and her Buckaroo team tirelessly work with the dogs and their owners. Educating owners and ensuring the welfare of dogs that are lucky enough to be part of the Buckaroo Sterilisation Initiative.

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Inspirational speaker at Fundraising in St Francis

Marlene was invited as the Inspirational Speaker for the St Francis Animal Welfare Fundraiser.

Susan Ray Fox approached Marlene as the founder of this amazing group that works with animals in the Sea Vista settlement in St Francis. The funds raised will be used to assist the dogs and their owners.

Marlene pushed the audience out of their comfort zones. Drawing on her recent experience Marlene shared the space outside her comfort zone that she has lived in since her fall.

At the end of August Marlene broke and fractured her wrist and hip bone when she was on the beach in the early morning with her dogs. Sharing her experience and vulnerability Marlene reminded everyone that they have to WAKE UP!

Animal lovers and people connected to Marlene supported this worthy cause.

The event was hosted at the St Francis Links and Marlene had the crowd following her outside on to the beautifully manicured lawns moving to the music and celebrating life.

It was a morning to remember!

To book Marlene as a Inspirational Speaker for your next event email neumann@worldonline.co.za

Buckaroo’s first street collection a great success

Buckaroo volunteers were at 36 stations, from Kidds Beach to Crossways on the East Coast at the end of May.

During the street collection Buckaroo was driving around town. He was greeted with waves and laughter from everyone.

Marlene expressed her gratitude and love to everyone that supported this fundraising drive.
“Thank you to the public of East London for your generous support of the Buckaroo sterilisation project!
Thank you to the 100 volunteers who helped shake a tin in the collection.
Thank you to the Buckaroo Team who worked tirelessly to put this together.
Thank you to the shop owners,” added Marlene.

For every dog Buckaroo sterilises… IT HELPS THAT DOG.

For more information or to make a donation please visit Buckaroo’s Sterilisation page or email neumann@worldonline.co.za

Marlene shares Buckaroo’s holistic approach

Rotary Gately talk

Marlene was invited to share her BUCKAROO INITIATIVE’S holistic approach to sterilising township dogs. The Rotary Club of Gately were all ears. Marlene’s passion was felt when she spoke from her heart. She is working to change the mindset and hearts of corporates.

Marlene stressed the importance of corporates to recognise and support animals. Animals are sentient beings that must be seen. Marlene’s message is that we can no longer turn a blind eye to what is happening. Animals are not receiving the funding or acknowledgement they deserve.

The overpopulation of dogs in areas has become an epidemic. And no one is doing anything about it…

Marlene’s message is, if we taught people that to change your heart, you have to change your thinking… we would live in a better world.

Buckaroo is dependent on public funding. Any monthly contribution is most welcome. The funds are used to sterilise, feed and provide basic healthcare to dogs and cats in impoverished areas.

There are a number of items that would make the task that Marlene and her Buckaroo team face each visit easier. Among them is the desperate need for carry boxes. Every cent adds up and helps Buckaroo make a difference in the animals lives. The donation form is online .

Contact Marlene for more information neumann@worldonline.co.za

Buckaroo corporate team building with Marlene

Buckaroo Century21 Team Building

Marlene has initiated an extraordinary TEAM BUILDING EXPERIENCE for corporate companies that are socially aware. This can become part of their CSI programs. CENTURY 21 real estate has taken the lead in making a difference in dogs and people’s lives in impoverished communities in the East London area.

This amazing project kicked off yesterday to an incredible start. Marlene is working closely with companies for their Corporate social investing (CSI) programs. CSI is a strategy for implementing social commitment in a concrete way by using company resources to improve the quality of life in disadvantaged communities.

This hands-on approach includes companies experiencing a day in the life of BUCKAROO. Goals include fundraising. Money raised is used to sterilise, feed, medicate and provide kennels and runs for Buckaroo dogs. Margie Dillin and Mario Raffa owners of Century 21 and staff have committed to go the whole hog.

Initiator of the BUCKAROO sterilisation project Marlene Neumann can be contacted for a different kind of team building experience. Contact her directly on 0833213391 or email neumann@worldonline.co.za to make a difference…

WATCH THIS SPACE for a follow up on this amazing Initiative!!

Success at the Buckaroo Garden Day!

 

Success at the Buckaroo Garden Day!

The Marlene Neumann Centre for Photography and Light hosted the Buckaroo Garden Day this weekend.  Despite the driving rain on Saturday morning, the East London public poured in to see the garden! The festive atmosphere was contagious as many hundreds of people came through the door.

There were many activities and things to do at the Centre this weekend, which made it an event for the whole family. There was face painting, a tea garden, delicious iced tea and flavoured water; both galleries were open, a farm stall, and information on the buckaroo project. Even Buckaroo himself was there! There were also many raffles available to enter including:

Creativity through photography weekend workshop which will take place on 11-13 May next year

A knitted blanket valued at R400

A very delicious fruit cake

2 Nights at the willows resort in PE for 5 people valued at over R2000

The whole event was hosted and organised by the Buckaroo team, who would like to thank all those who took time to visit the garden, and special thanks to those who made the Marlene Neumann Centre for Photography and Light the first garden they visited.

The Marlene Neumann Centre for Photography and Light was opened 10 years ago to be a place of healing and creative energy. In the centre are two galleries that exhibit the Master Fine Art Photographer’s work. The gallery exhibits Marlene’s Dark Room range of artworks that have been developed using the world renowned Neumann Technique. The Light Room exhibits Marlene’s latest range of Black and White Photography in which she further explores her deep connection with nature.

Marlene’s Centre will be open throughout the festive season for anyone interested in purchasing gifts with meaning for their loved ones. For more information please contact Marlene directly at neumann@worldonline.co.za.

Good News for the Buckaroo Sterilisation Project!

Marlene Neumann’s Buckaroo Sterilization Project has received some excellent news! Local vets and the East London SPCA will assist with the sterilization project and as a result, 28 dogs are being sterilized every month. This will have a massive knock on effect in the area and improve the health and well-being of the dogs that are sterilized.

There is little knowledge in the Eastern Cape of how dogs need to be treated and as a result many dogs suffer from neglect and abuse. Marlene and her team work closely with township communities, teaching them how to properly look after their animals while delivering donated food, blankets, water bowls and kennels. However, to improve the lives of dogs in the future, sterilization is the key.

Buckaroo has sterilized over 300 dogs to date, and the increased engagement from the veterinary practices around East London will help the project in a big way. The cost of sterilization is high and dogs need to be treated before the operation can take place, which adds to the cost. Dogs are sometimes too malnourished to be treated and need to ‘go to rehab’ before they can be sterilized. Often the dogs have other diseases such as mange or distemper which must be treated before anything else can take place. Buckaroo tries to carry out these treatments on site rather than removing the dogs, as this helps with the education of the community, and reduces the stress for the dogs.

Donations of food, blankets, kennels (or materials to build kennels), water bowls, leads and collars can be donated at Marlene’s Centre 8 Kent Road, Vincent. Contributions to the Buckaroo fund can be made online or by contacting Marlene directly at neumann@worldonline.co.za or at 083 321 3391. To stay up to date with the Buckaroo Project, like Marlene’s Facebook Page.

 

Buckaroo fever hits again! Marlene has sent out a plea of help and the community responded! Over 50 people have agreed in the last 24 hours to donate a small amount monthly to Buckaroo. This money will help in the sterilisation of township dogs and reduce the amount of unwanted puppies in the area. This improves the lives of all dogs in East London! If you would like to donate monthly, contact Marlene. Buckaroo is also in need of blankets, food and kennels, which can be dropped off at the Marlene Neumann Centre for Photography and Light at 8 Kent Road.

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