Peter Hayward — lives life on ‘full throttle’

Peter Hayward, 66, founder and chief executive officer of Hayward’s Grand Safari Company, said that he has had a very adventurous life and lived life on full throttle. “Setting up huge luxury tented camps in remote regions of southern Africa combined with my years of hospitality training as a founding director of Secluded Country Lodges gave me the opportunity to extend myself beyond anything ‘normal’.”

Mr Hayward said: “I set about developing this grand safari concept in the early 90s with the intention of providing pure and authentic wilderness experiences for VIP groups who were unable to hold big outdoor functions in an orderly and safe manner in the wilderness of southern Africa.

“With a background in deep level production gold mining, proto firefighting, investment consulting, sales and a passion for executive outdoor training, the safari camp concept became a natural extension in bringing it all together and afforded me the privilege of sharing it with opinion leaders and their VIP friends, families and associates,” he added.

Where do you see the incentive industry at present and where do you see it heading in the future?

The incentive industry will continue to be challenged to provide award winners with experiences that provide total inspiration. Not only from a location point of view but from a truly bespoke ‘not open to the public’ exclusivity and to further illustrate to the award recipients a hospitality environment that exemplifies excellence in everything it produces. A showcase within itself specifically designed for hosting top achievers.

I look forward to seeing South African corporates and opinion leaders bringing more of their groups out into wilderness environments, which will provide a huge impact towards local culture and wildlife management upliftment.

Where were you born and raised?

I grew up in Rosebank Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and then settled into Potchefstroom Boys High School until matric.

Where did your career begin?

I opted out of varsity and joined Anglo American Learner Official Technical Training Deep Level Gold Mining Corp. After my gold mining career and my stint at Prudential (I achieved top ten sales in this organisation), I went on to develop Secluded Country Lodges, then simultaneously a Team Adventure Challenge company called the Power of One, which finally all came together under the banner of Hayward’s Grand Safari Company.

How long have you been in the incentive sector?

My career in the incentive industry began in earnest in 1995 with the redesigned Hayward’s Grand Safari Tented Camps launch, with the specific intention of introducing incentive groups and big product launch events into safari regions where accommodation was not up to scratch or highly limited. I’ve been at this project since then, designing, developing, manufacturing and creating luxury, five-star, eco-friendly, temporary tented camps.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector?

There has been a prolific abundance of hotel and lodge developments, but not the expected incoming tourism sector numbers to justify this expansion. The industry remains the most optimistic one in southern Africa, but huge challenges are tabled daily, with rising operational costs and shrinking corporate and client budgets (and profits).

Are you married?

Yes, I’m married to Celia, and she is my partner in our business and the various projects we run on our wildlife estate.

What role does your family play in your life?

In the early 1990s I established Secluded Country Lodges, which then became Secluded Africa Mobile Safaris. My four children all had a turn in joining me on explorative weekends away. The business was always all-inclusive, even when I was working on endangered species breeding programs or on a series called Treasure Hunters, that went out on MNet. It was wonderful. However, they are all spread out around the world now, with successful careers.

What would you change in your life, if you could, when looking back?

I would be more particular with my self-development and belief in myself during young adulthood. Although I’ve done huge amounts of MBA type study in business administration, I would definitely do this to my utmost ability, as a starting point. Add to that, I have always been an artist and enjoyed performing on stage in school plays and even an artist painting in my younger years. The design and implementation of all the facets required for a grand safari allows me to express my artistic and creative talents and I enjoy this constant challenge immensely.

Do you have any hobbies?

We are currently running over sixty beehives, producing outstanding organic honey, and also have a herd of Ankole Watusi cattle that we want to develop into a stud breeding herd. I continue my personal research into the human potential, and the harnessing thereof, and studying continuously in the subject of the human mind and its boundless abilities.

I enjoy writing. I have a blog on my website ‘At the Fireside’. I enjoy filming/ videography and photography. I love cooking up superb dinners. I enjoy cigars, and used to run a Cigar Club called Cigafrique, The Great African Big Smoke Club! I’ve played guitar and spent many years developing executive motivational and leadership programs/ staff competency products. I enjoy reading and practicing applied philosophies, have studied Rudolph Steiner’s Anthroposophy, Mormonism, Buddhism whilst training for Black Belt karate and Scientology and the technology of getting things done and as a humanitarian helping communities change conditions in their environments for the better. I enjoy baking sourdough bread, bottling food recipes and vegetable food gardening. As you can see, I’m very interested in life and all it offers.

Do you play any sports?

I did, in my younger years, play rugby, water polo, athletics, tennis, hockey and then golf and dropped it all when I started my karate training, but nowadays a spot of leisurely fly fishing or clay pigeon shooting, mountain biking, walking, but mostly keeping active on every safari I do. I’ve never missed a safari since 1991!

What is your favourite sport?

I actually don’t have a favourite — I enjoy participating at every level, even 4x4 off-roading and wilderness camping, but that’s not a sport, as yet.

Who is your favourite sportsman/ woman?

I am impressed by Ronaldo, but my deepest respect goes to our own homegrown boy, Gary Player. A true living legend.

What do you do for leisure?

I hunt down campsites all over southern Africa and enjoy spending my time with the number one love of my life, who is my life partner at every level, my wife Celia.

What is your secret to success?

BE fearless. Take on and DO what drives your passion. Never give up. Tenacity is the golden key that unlocks the door. Never produce anything that is mediocre. Attach your name or presence proudly to your products. And HAVE what you deserve.

What has been your biggest challenge in this sector?

I’d say getting this very bespoke safari operation in front of the correct clients. It's really not a ‘bed option’ and is rather a life experience. One should never forget your Hayward's Tented Camp experience.

What is your pet hate?

Dealing with amateurs who are pretending that they are in control of something which they have no clue about and who are too arrogant to admit that they don’t know.

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why?

I’d say that I have learnt that one does not need to go to the ends of the earth to get an incredible experience. Every area on this continent has its own precious value. It's up to me and my event partners to unlock that and create an unforgettable experience for the client, their guests, my staff and the land custodians to whom we have their best interests at heart.

What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?

I am allergic to big flashy resorts or cookie cutter hotels where you need a break after spending time at them. Give me private, exclusive, owner managed, and owner run venues where I can tap into the passion that keeps the place alive.

If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why?

I’ve worked on me and my ability and place in the human race and the role I play on this planet. I’d just continue being a new and improved version of me daily!

What is your favourite city?

That’s a tough one! Havana, Cuba, is incredible. It’s like a big movie set. I love a good cigar and enjoy my exploration of this city very much, but I’d probably first go back to Barcelona. I enjoyed my visit there. I found it energetic, arty, organised and a foodie’s dream. The Spanish have a great attitude and are welcoming to foreigners overall. The food markets and restaurants were amazing. I’m overdue for a return visit!

What is your favourite book, film, TV programme?

Book: Science of Survival by LR Hubbard. It's truly brilliantly useful in this crazy world we survive in nowadays. Film: The movie that I have watched the most – five times over – was Avatar. TV programmes: I enjoy watching documentaries on wildlife, nature, archaeology, palaeontology, forgotten history, and of course, Treasure Hunting.

How do you relax?

I love to explore. I love to cook. I love to create. And I have a passion to change or make people’s lives better by helping wherever I can. So, when doing a combination of all of these, I am pretty much in my element.

What is your favourite food?

All things Mediterranean — I love the passion of this huge region, with its kaleidoscope of tastes, whether Greek, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Lebanese or Moroccan etc. …it's my ‘go to’ food when I want selection and the need to taste the passion for life.

Who is your favourite movie star?

Daniel Day Lewis.

What is the most impulsive thing you've ever done?

Once upon a time, I was driving down Rivonia Road. I had just started a new business. I came round a corner to find an old Chevy truck being offloaded from the back of a transporter. I hit the brakes and swung into the second-hand car yard. She was a classic 1942 beauty, groups and organisational know-how, is invaluable in the continued growth and exponential success of the organisations I have run.

100% original. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I walked over to the dealer and pointed to the Chevvie, “Is she for sale?” He replied, “Yes, she just arrived from Zimbabwe.” I found out what she cost and bought her on the spot. I drove her home and she’s been on safari ever since — about 25 years later. Her story was that she was bought by two young nuns, from a convent in Rhodesia. They drove her all the way back to northern Rhodesia, where she worked in the convent for over 50 years.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps?

A few years later, I sent her in for a paint job and repairs, and the old engineer fixing her was surprised when he woke up one morning to find the green Chevy standing outside, on the pavement of his apartment building. He was sure he didn’t bring her home from the workshop. On closer inspection, he found it was an exact replica of my Chevy, which he was busy restoring. It was owned by a neighbour, who had brought it home, to prepare it to sell. He phoned me to explain that the neighbour is immigrating, and I bought her on the spot. Then there were two — only about 300 apart on the production line. The one is the Gin Bar and the other one drives the laundry around on safari. Or we use them for the odd game viewer, kitted out with a Persian carpet and cushions. They’ve brought me years of enjoyment.

Who is your role model?

Mr. L. Ron Hubbard. Having studied many different philosophies and life sciences in my own quest for truth, I was fortunate enough to find the one person that resonated more than ever with my own knowingness, and that was the author, philosopher, administrator, explorer, freedom fighter, humanitarian and teacher, Mr L. Ron Hubbard. His incredible effort into the science of

Become besotted with the art of life. Never hesitate to go in where angels fear to tread and LOOK. Teach yourself everything there is to know about self-discipline and personal ethics, and entertain yourself with everything that makes up the world of hospitality. Dive deeply into these subjects, from food and the preparation thereof, to the selection of the correct wines and cigars, to the understanding of what it takes to make someone truly comfortable in the surroundings you have chosen for them. Be an aficionado in everything that is and could be important to the guests you are hosting. Understand that the network of people you bring in to help you present this moment in time, must each individually be perfectionists in their own right, within their own subject. Be your product. Live your product and present your product and own the space you have created.

What is your dream for the future?

I have achieved many dreams during this lifetime. From creating true authentic experiences for high calibre opinion leaders, business tycoons, product launches and blue-chip corporate incentive groups, in exclusive spaces, well off the beaten track of tourism, for which my company has won many international awards, to conservation and social responsibility initiatives, it has truly been a privilege. I thrive on providing experiences for groups of people, that will change their viewpoint of life.

Celia and I both enjoy exploring off-thebeaten-track places filled with antiquity and charm. We also both love being of value to the people we meet and are at our happiest when we can share our wealth of creative and productive knowledge with anyone wishing to improve their life’s goals and purposes. This mentoring consultancy would give us the opportunity to visit more of Africa’s hidden gems and take our combined expertise and life lessons and offer that to others where it could inspire and enlighten them to find their own fulfilment and purpose and achieve their dreams.