Her first mural was painted with the mind to educated youth at a grassroots level concerning the importance of protecting animals. The mural was dedicated to “Rhino poaching” which is a huge problem facing South Africa and the world as a whole. The rhino horn is one of the most sought-after products in the global black market where its price exceeds even that of gold. It is said to believe that an average of three rhinos are killed by poachers every day.
Illegal trade is the biggest threat to the different species of rhinos and some such as the northern white rhino, has only one living male remaining in the Ol Pejeta reserve in Kenya, guarded by park rangers 24 hours a day to protect it from poachers.
The “Save the Rhino” mural was painted with the help of local kids from a crèche in the community. Mariana believes that “change begins in education”.
