Amanda Gibbs 10/12/2025
APHILA 2025, hosted by the African SAP User Group (AFSUG), took place from 1 to 3 June at Sun City, bringing together technology leaders, innovators, and business professionals to explore the latest advancements and possibilities within the SAP landscape. As one of South Africa’s leading SAP user conferences, SAPHILA continues to be a powerful platform for collaboration, learning, and community connection.
But beyond technology, SAPHILA has always been about people — and the meaningful impact we can create when we come together.
This year, AFSUG proudly launched a new social responsibility initiative in partnership with ERP.ngo (Elephants, Rhinos & People), focusing on wildlife protection and the urgent need to safeguard Southern Africa’s endangered rhinos.
Baby rhino Liezel was born in February 2025 on a high-security ERP rhino sanctuary in Southern Africa.
Group Elephant is a global group of boutique services firms and software businesses, including EPI-USE Labs. The Group operates as a conglomerate comprising 10 groupings of trading brands, employing circa 4,200 people across 42 countries. 1% of the Group’s worldwide revenue is channelled into ERP, which focuses on the preservation and protection of Elephants and Rhinos in the wild in Southern Africa.
Introducing our adopted baby rhino, Liezel: A commitment to conservation
One of the most heartwarming highlights of SAPHILA 2025 was the introduction of Liezel, a baby rhino born in February 2025 on a high-security ERP sanctuary in Southern Africa. With poaching still threatening rhino populations, sanctuaries like ERP play a critical role in ensuring these animals have a safe future.
AFSUG is honoured to support Liezel’s journey. As part of this initiative, she will soon be fitted with a tracking collar, a vital tool used by conservation teams to monitor her movements, ensure her safety, and contribute to long-term research and protection strategies.
Amanda Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of AFSUG, emphasised the significance of this initiative:
At AFSUG, we believe our impact must extend beyond knowledge sharing and technology,” says Amanda Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of AFSUG.
“Conservation is deeply important to us, and supporting baby rhino Liezel reflects our commitment to protecting the natural heritage of Southern Africa. By partnering with ERP.ngo, we are helping safeguard a vulnerable species while raising awareness in our community about the urgency of conservation efforts.”
R60,000 Raised by Our Community
One of the standout achievements of SAPHILA 2025 was the incredible generosity shown by our delegates, partners, and community members.
Through collective contributions made during the event, AFSUG proudly donated R60,000 to ERP.ngo to directly support the Rhino Tracking Conservation Campaign.
This donation will support the collaring, tracking, and long-term monitoring of baby rhino Liezel and others within the sanctuary — enabling ERP’s conservation teams to protect rhinos more effectively in high-risk areas.
R60,000 donation toward the Rhino Tracking Conservation Campaign with ERP.ngo.
Thank You, AFSUG Community
Your participation, compassion, and generosity made this project possible.
You helped us demonstrate that the SAP community is not only innovative and forward-thinking — but also committed to meaningful social and environmental impact.
AFSUG looks forward to sharing updates on Liezel’s progress and ERP’s ongoing conservation work. Together, we can continue to drive awareness, support wildlife protection, and champion initiatives that remind us of the power of community.