Winchester Mansions have acquired a new family member, one of the feline kind - Qhayiya the lion. Meaning “Pride” in Xhosa, Qhayiya was bought at the Born Free Foundation’s “Pride of Cape Town” charity auction by the hotel’s Managing Director, Nils Heckscher.

One of a pride of 30 lions auctioned, Qhayiya is a unique and splendidly colourful life-size fibreglass sculpture designed by local artist Majolandie Dyalvane. When creating Qhayiya, Dyalvane incorporated local scenes and handprints of the children of Shamwari, reflecting his Xhosa culture and traditions.

Co-founded by Virginia McKenna, star of the film “Born Free” that started it all, the foundation’s message is clear : “Lion conservation is at a critical moment. The king of the jungle is confronted by terrible threats and the prospect of the lion’s roar being silenced forever is no longer just a thought at the back of one’s mind.”

Africa has fewer than 25 000 lions, compared to 200 000 fifty years ago and some African countries no longer have wild lions. The 30 statue lions were auctioned to raise much needed funds to assist the Born Free Foundation in their crucial work to protect the wild lion.

The campaign was supported by local and international celebrities with the likes of Brian May, Queen’s guitar legend, and singing sensation Kelly Ellis flying into Cape Town to call for support. South Africa’s platinum selling record artists, The Parletones also pledged their support by sponsoring their own lion, Hollish, for the event.

Qhayiya’s new home at Winchester Mansions will serve as a reminder of the cause to visitors and the hotel will be driving its own campaigns to create further awareness and raise funds for the foundation.

Comments Heckscher; “When you are in Africa and you are made aware of these horrible statistics then you really start wondering and worrying. The lion epitomises what Africa stands for. It is the single biggest African icon, the king of the animal kingdom. When this icon is threatened the way it currently is we need to act. For our sake and even more so for the sake of our children and children's children."

For further information, phone Winchester Mansions on 021 434 2351 or visit www.winchestermansions.co.za