Klaserie Chronicle No. 17

KLASERIE June 2011 No. 17

KRONIEK/CHRONICLE

White lions in Klaserie A strange summer migrant MonnikaasvoĂŤls by Seekoeigat inside|

Mamba encounter ...6 * Uroplectus vittatus ...8 * Water challenges ...9 Going back 70 years ...10 * Slippery when wet ...16 * Stewards of the earth ...19 photo: Chad Cocking

2 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

KLASERIE CHRONICLE KRONIEK TEAM

Zani’s

KEY BOARD Alhoewel dit winter is en redelik vaal oral, is dit nog lekker warm hier in die Bosveld en is daar altyd iets nuuts om met julle te deel.

The most amazing story is that there are now, at this very moment, a pride of white lions in the KPNR! What makes it so special is that we have the opportuity to record their movements in the wild. I do hope you are fortunate enough to see these beautiful animals.

Ivan Gillatt’s entertaining retrospection of the history of the Klaserie is worth reading. This is the kind of story we would like to have on record for posterity.

A reminder that it is this time of the year again for our Kit-a-Kid project.

Please donate and make a difference in one child’s life. Ons is so afhanklik van julle goedgunstige bydraes en waardeer elke sent wat julle gee. Kyk ook asseblief op hoeveel verskillende maniere julle kan betrokke raak by CET. Good news! All golfers, there is an exciting golf day in the pipe line in the near future at Sabie River Bungalows Golf Club in aid of CET. We hope to see all of you and your friends there.

A last word is to remind you never lose sight of the important role each one plays in the overall scheme of things.

I am so in awe at the interconnectivity of even the most elementary things in and around us – and how we all have a responsibility within the system.

Bush greetings Zani

CET handing over the Kudu award to KPNR Chairman, Mike Myers. CET represents the community outreach programme of the KPNR and has been in operation since 2004.

This gesture is a token of our appreciation to all members, management and staff of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. (CET, winner of the 2009/2010 Kudu award: environmental education)

Editor: Zani Kunz Consulting Editor: Lynette Strauss Advertising: Zani Kunz Proofing: Littcor Layout and design: Lynette Strauss Contributors: Janus Roets, Mariska Schoeman, Lianne Steenkamp, Chad Cocking, Patrick O’Brien, Colin Rowles, Anton Nel, Lyndsay Finney, Ivan Gillatt, Simon Roberts, Lynette Strauss, Karen Randall, Zani Kunz, CJ McDonald, Christine du Preez, Marthie van Wyk, Sieglinde Rode, Louis Kruger, Pieter Strauss and Kirsty Redman

Spar doen baie vir die gemeenskap, op verskeie vlakke, en Janus Roets het ‘n voorlegging gaan doen vir die Laeveld SPAR groep om te wys wat Hoedspruit SPAR alles doen. Onderhoude is gedoen met Maureen Lahoud Show Distributors, Hoedspruit Angels, Children’s Eco Training en die Vroueafdeling van die Hoedspruit Polisie.

The Klaserie Chronicle is published quarterly and distributed to KPNR owners, as well as CET donors, partners and Chronicle advertisers.

If you would like to send a contribution, please forward to zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax: 086 628 8733

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 3

White lions in Klaserie Lianne Steenkamp

I

n January this year the northern section of the Klaserie Reserve was enriched by the presence of a lion pride with two white cubs.

This pride, consisting of two lionesses and three cubs, originates from the Umbabat, and became nomadic in November 2009, when the cubs were about five months old.

Ever since they have moved across a large portion of the APNR and since January they have found new residence on the Seekoeigat and Dundee farms, with the Klaserie River as their core centre.

We have been following this pride from when the cubs were three months old, aiming to make a documentary about these extraordinary, truly wild white lions and their everyday lives.

Although life has been far from easy for the feisty white females, they have endured many confrontations with other lions and predators and perhaps owe their survival to their mother and aunt’s remarkable protection and hunting skills.

They are now just over two years old and have made it to sub-adulthood…

Following the pride through the whole of the APNR has been an enormous challenge for us, but we are overwhelmed by

the incredible support from the landowners along and near the Klaserie River.

Almost everyone is allowing us access to their farms, which has given us the opportunity to track the lions wherever they go.

Despite that, we lose them for several days at a time, as the hard, rocky terrain makes it difficult to keep track of them, but we have been enlightened with some fantastic filming moments here.

As we are coming to the end of our filming with only three more months to go, the last part of the film will show our lion pride living in this magical, wild part of the Klaserie.

photo: Chad Cocking

photo: Patrick O’Brien

photo: Lianne Steenkamp

photo: Lianne Steenkamp

“HELPING TO BUILD LASTING WEALTH” l Equity Portfolios l Balanced Portfolio l Absolute Return Portfolios l Treasury Management Contact: Danie Berrange (011) 375 4780 or Andre Combrinck (021) 882 9374

4 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

CET STAFF SNIPPETS

KPNR ABATTOIR REGISTERED Colin Rowles

A

fter two years of planning and construction, the abattoir of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve has been registered as a Low Throughput Game abattoir in terms of the Meat Safety Act 40 of 2000.

During the second week of March, selected members of staff received training provided by the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA). Training included all matters relating to hygiene as well as various slaughter techniques. During the week, a very comprehensive Hygiene Management System was prepared with the assistance of RMAA. This is a requirement for the applicable legislation, and is a condition of registration.

The approval of the abattoir was preceded by a trial slaugh-

ter which formed part of the staff training programme.

The trial slaughter was attended and assessed by officials of the Mpumalanga Department of veterinary services; representatives of both animal health and public health were present. With the abattoir now registered, we look forward to being able to maximize on the economic return from the by-products of the hunting and animal population control programmes.

Rhulani Mathonsi is doing her gap year at CET as support-aschool assistant. She was a 100 percent attendant for the past seven years at the holiday workshops in KPNR. Welcome Rhulani!

Earlier this year we said goodbye to Trico Chiloane: CET Support-aSchool assistant who did his gap year in 2010. Trico matriculated in 2009 and was an ex-holiday workshop student in the KPNR with full attendance. We wish him well with his studies in Phalaborwa.

Ben Collinson, a scholar in Nelspruit, will be volunteering as an assistant during the holidays with the CET Support-a-school programme.

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Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 5

A strange summer migrant Colin Rowles

T

he Klaserie Private Nature Reserve provides a summer migration destination for a large variety of migrant birds. A number of them travel from Europe to the warmer climate that Southern Africa provides.

This year we were visited by a new, previously unrecorded, species.

On one quiet, warm day in February, a distant whining, thumping sound attracted our attention. The noise became louder as the labouring Super Puma helicopter approached at tree top height. Overhead it banked steeply and descended with the vibrating roar of screaming turbine engines and flashing rotor blades, it settled in a massive cloud of red dust and flying debris, and rolled to a stop on headquarters’ soccer field.

The noise subsided slightly as the whirling blades changed pitch, the dust cleared momentarily and the turbine stabilized.

A few seconds later, the blinding dust started again as the downward thrust of the huge blades lifted the massive machine into the air.

The deafening thud faded as the

aircraft turned and headed for the distant horizon.

During February the air force base at Hoedspruit, played host to a contingent of European pilots and their aircraft.

These pilots were to be deployed in Afghanistan in the near future and were here to receive training. In particular, the helicopter pilots were to receive

dust landing training and experience, which is something they would need in Afghanistan. The aircraft were also tested to determine their ability to endure severe dust conditions.

Owing to the reserve’s extremely good relationship with the air force base, we offered the headquarters’ soccer field to them for the training period.

CET STAFF SNIPPETS Lindsay Finney and Laura Craig joined the CET team in February this year. As Projects Coordinator and Finance Administrator respectively, they bring a wealth of expertise, experience and enthusiasm.

Welcome!

Rolivhuwa Murovhi assisted at CET from February to Junethis year. Goodbye and we wish you all the best Roli!

6 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

FACE TO FACE WITH A MAMBA

mamba: one, anton nel: zero

T

he accountant had just started with the bank reconciliation after the lunch break, when the warden looked into the office.

“A member called. His camp guard spotted a snake in the roof of the house.

I am going to try and assist.”

The fearless accountant immediately realized the danger of the situation and insisted on backing up the warden who was only armed with a 410 shotgun.

Grabbing his faithful Hewlett Packard 12C Platinum Series calculator, he jumped into the passenger seat of the Land Cruiser. Responsible bush accountant that he was, he rested his hand on the 410 shotgun to stabilize it on the bumpy dirt road. He certainly did not do it to stop his trouser legs from shaking...

Less than thirty minutes later, the camp guard showed the warden and accountant into the chalet where the snake was last seen. It was an openroom building with a thatched roof and a wooden open mezzanine level with a wooden staircase climbing up to it. The camp guard indicated that the snake was behind the beam in the notch of the thatched roof. Gentleman that he is, the accountant allowed the warden to lead the way up the staircase while the camp guard scampered out of the building.

It was unclear whether the snake, the shotgun or the calculator hastened his departure!

The warden quickly saw the snake’s body behind the cross-beam in the notch of the roof. It took a while for the accountant to see it, but it might have been that his eyelids were fluttering in sync with his trouser legs at the time. The warden positively identified the snake as a black mamba. He needed to see the snake’s head though, and it was hidden behind the beam.

The camp guard passed on the longest Eucalyptus lathe that the accountant had ever seen! You could probably reach the roof from the HQ complex!

Fearless, the accountant once again offered to assist by prodding the roof with the stick, while the warden kept the shotgun ready. Utilizing the length of the stick, the accountant nudged the thatch along the outside of the cross-beam. Immediately the mamba raised its head and stared the accountant straight in the eye, as if to say, “Do you know who you are dealing with?”

However, that was his last thought. In his usual calm and smooth manner, the warden raised the shotgun to his shoulder and seemingly without taking aim, shot the mamba in the head.

The warden used the stick to carry the snake outside. The accountant quickly punched his calculator and concluded that the mamba must have been 1.875943 metres long.

On the way back to the office, the warden explained that a 410 shotgun can safely be used in-house without fear of blowing away the whole roof... and such are the days of bush accountants!

Utilizing the length of the stick, the accountant nudged the thatch along the outside of the cross-beam. Immediately the mamba raised its head and stared the accountant straight in the eye.

Matikinya and Seganyane perform at awards day Lyndsay Finney At the 2010 Mpumalanga EcoSchools awards day, held in April this year, Matikinya Primary was awarded a Green Flag and Seganyane Primary a Bronze Medallion.

Eco-Schools is an international programme for environmental education and management, which encourages students to take an active role in running their school to the benefit of the environment. The programme has over nine million students involved globally and was launched in South Africa in 2003. It is supported by WWF-SA and WESSA, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.

Both Matikinya and Seganyane Primary have committee members who meet regularly to discuss environmental projects and to promote awareness in their schools. They also maintain vegetable gardens for healthy living and allocate Grade 6 and 7 pupils over 45 minutes of environmental study each week.

Having worked hard for their achievements in 2010 the committee members were excited and inspired by the recognition, the learning and the exposure to the other schools during the awards day.

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 7

CLOSE ENCOUNTER The elephant kind Anton Nel

I

do not regard myself as lucky when it comes to game drives. For some reason, perhaps my own inattentiveness, I seldom see the weird and the wonderful. But when my wife’s friend said that she had never seen a lion in the wild, and she was already touching fifty years of age, I thought I had to at least try.

It was mid-afternoon when we got into the Cruiser and set off towards the Western boundary fence. Sure enough, 30 minutes into the drive, alongside Moscow’s boundary, the friend and I yelled, “Lion!” at the same moment.

Two male lions were relaxing in the shade about forty to fifty metres from the road. We spent a good 45 minutes with them, following them to a small water hole next to the road where one of them drank for about ten minutes.

Their tummies were filled to capacity, but we could not see signs of a recent kill.

More or less satisfied with this sighting, fulfilling the friend’s dream within an hour, we nevertheless continued along the fence line, past Xikankaneni Gate and along the south border. Along the way we saw kudu, rhino, giraffe, baboon and of course, impala. Turning

onto the “main road” at Incheni Gate, we headed back to HQ. By then it was getting dark quickly. Approaching the S-bend through the dry river bed at Bateleur’s Nest, we saw a big herd of elephants on the other side of the bend, having just crossed the road towards Bateleur’s Nest.

Like any good accountant, I stopped and assessed the situation. Things looked in balance. The herd seemed calm, they were moving slowly away from the road; light was fading, but we could still see the animals well enough and we were in a rather sturdy Land Cruiser. So I drove slowly through the bend and past the Bateleur’s Nest entrance road.

“Hier kom hy, hier kom hy!” This soft but anxious yell from the friend in the back seat, started to tip the balance sheet towards the liability side. The yell gave no indication from where or what was approaching, but I was pretty sure it was an elephant! From the corner of my eye I saw a young elephant cow swerving away towards the herd, not more than seven metres from the vehicle. She had been standing on her own at the entrance road to Bateleur’s Nest and we missed her, being focused on the main herd. Perhaps it was a good thing, because my doing nothing

forced her to reconsider her charge, while a sudden movement from the vehicle might have tempted her to follow through.

Breathing hard and with eyes wide open I kept the vehicle moving forward slowly but steadily in an effort not to attract any more attention. I kept my eyes on the herd to see if the young cow‘s charge had caused any reaction from the rest of the herd, but they seemed calm.

“Woooo ...!” a low moan and a hard hit on the shoulder shattered the fragile atmosphere in the Cruiser. I instinctively stepped on the brake just as a big cow with three small elephants at her side moved onto the road, crossing it towards the herd.

It was my wife’s sister, also in the backseat, who uttered the warning just in time, although the trumpeting from the cow would have stopped a Boeing 747 in its tracks! They were so close, if I had not stopped, we would certainly have hit them.

We were lucky in that the cow first herded the young ones towards the safety of the herd, before she turned her full attention on us. In doing that, she was joined by what I was certain was the young cow from the entrance road. Their intentions were clear, but so was the road. A steady drive for a kilometre left us laughing hysterically with relief.

A valuable lesson was learned - well known to any fighter pilot - keep on looking around you! The passive herd misled us and the stragglers caught us by surprise. I should have waited before the S-bend and scanned the bushes on either side of the road more intensely. I need to mention that despite the sporadic complaints that the reserve’s elephants are aggressive, in this case full blame rests on the shoulders of the humans and me in particular. We were overstepping our boundaries and entered the elephants’ personal space, albeit unintentionally. Any aggression towards us was well-deserved.

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Uroplectes vittatus!

Anton Nel

I

t was a day like any other day except for Uroplectes vittatus!

My wife and I were sitting at the table having a simple lunch of vegetarian sausages, pasta and chickpea salad. I was busy with my third forkful of pasta salad, when it happened without any warning. A loud yell (not to be worded here in case young readers read this piece) originated from across the table, followed by wild slapping and a jump from the chair. I do not know about other households, but in the Nel home, strip dances are not usually part of a lunch break. Despite the droopy effect of chemo therapy of the week before, I laid down my fork when my dear wife unbuttoned and unzipped her trousers.

Even in this day and age, miracles are not to be frowned upon.

However, the chemo’s droopy effect returned promptly when it was clear that I was not the focus point of the wild dance, but rather the pair of trousers.

As I understand it the usual procedure during a strip dance is to discard the clothing as they are sensually removed from whatever body part they cover. In this case, however, they became the focus of attention. While moving in a way that will make any pole dancer jealous, Zenta pulled the trouser legs with deft moves inside-out, while maintaining a good rhythm dancing from one leg to the other. Then she violently shook the trousers while at the same time trying

to inspect the inside of her right thigh.

In the mean time I was continuing my lunch as it was clear that I was not going to become part of the act. My sideact was not to last though. When Zenta looked at me with anxious eyes and yelled at me, “Something bit or stung me and it hurts like hell (my free translation)”, I knew lunch was over.

We started scanning the floor, me fully dressed and she in a blouse and panties. I concentrated hard to look at the floor instead of the unexpected bare legs, but it was clear that the culprit had to be identified, but nothing … the floor had actually been swept that very morning. However, my wife is no fool, and it was not long before she was on her knees looking underneath the chair she had been sitting on.

INSTRUCTED TO KILL There he was, a 15mm long Uroplectes vittatus hiding in a corner underneath the seat of the chair. This specimen of the two-toned scorpion was luckily still quite small, but there was nothing small about the pain its sting caused. Zenta was furious and there was no misinterpreting the instruction to kill it – not remove it, throw it out or hit it. KILL IT! Most of the times I try to argue the little creatures’ cases, like a good defence lawyer, but this time I knew there would be no extenuating circumstances. I bought it a few minutes for the obligatory photo-

graphs, but then had to execute it with a well-aimed punch with a mosaic tile.

Reading about the little guy (Scorpions of Southern Africa by Jonathan Leeming), it behaved exactly as it should have: “…this species is eager to sting…” and “…they are quick to defend themselves…!” Luckily for Zenta there is also a sentence: “… (the) sting is not medically important…” and “Their venom is potent but, under normal circumstances, it is not life threatening.”

The genus Uroplectes is quite common, with 50 species in southern and eastern Africa and 19 in Southern Africa.

Our one was certainly not fully grown (it can become 55 mm long) and that fact had certainly contributed to a more favourable outcome for Zenta although it still hurt intensely after eight hours.

She experienced no swelling and only two small red sting marks were visible, but the area around the sting marks was sore and sensitive.

Where it came from? Who knows? It was so small that it could easily have crawled through a window (even a closed one with a loose-fitting frame), but it could also have fallen from the roof. My poor wife was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The bush challenges us – I mean, there are people here who have lived all their lives in the bush and have never been stung by a scorpion. We have been here for ten months and I had to save our cat from a python and my wife from a scorpion … bloody hell!!!

HOE JY KAN HELP Enige bydra, groot of klein, help ons om ‘n verskil te maak in iemand se lewe.

Children’s Eco Training, Rek nr: 013 253 611, STANDARD BANK, Hatfield Tak, Tak nr: 01-15-45, Swift kode: SBZAZAJJ,Tjekrekening, verwysing: jou van en stuur asseblief bewys van intebaling aan zani@ecochildren.co.za of faks 086 628 8733

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 9

CET addresses challenge of water stress

W

hile the world is focused on an energy crisis, a new kind of politics has been quietly emerging – water politics. But all is not gloom and doom. Water Celebration Week, 21 – 25 March, was celebrated with gusto by Seganyane, Mawuvana and Matikinya Primary Schools.

Seganyane Primary School had reason to celebrate as CET had recently installed a borehole, and Water Day was a very special day! To be able to open a tap and have water everywhere

was reason to sing and dance about the precious gift of water. Mr Letsaolo, member of the Greening committee, promised to start a vegetable garden immediately.

Mr Auswell Machabe from Bush Resources was the guest speaker at Mawuvana Primary School and encouraged learners to save every drop of water. In South Africa, we only have very little clean water for human consumption; 97% is ocean water and 25% is ice.

At Matikinya Primary School Mr

Machabe was also the guest speaker, but he was accompanied by Mathew from South African Wildlife College and Anna from America. They celebrated their water day by singing traditional songs and dancing the xibavana dance.

It was a happy day for each and everyone.

Lynsdsay, Rolivhuwa, Rhulani, Zani and Laura who attended all the celebrations felt humbled and grateful that there was now access to adequate and safe water at these schools.

CET says thank you for ongoing support to ...

• • • •

African Dream Horse Safari Alexander Ghazvinian + Edda Guntner Anjou P. Haufe CJ McDonald

• • • • • •

Evelyn Albert GBE Gert Krautmann Great North Bus Service Ilonka Craucamp Karen Randall

• • • •

KPNR Laeveld Bou Hoedspruit Mari Hattingh Mike Anderson family and friends

• • • • • •

Natalie Lombard Parma Nursery Pick n Pay Rainer and Ursula Jahn Sarah Solomon Savannah

•

• •

Construction Southern Cross Schools Boarding House kitchen SPAR Hoedspruit SPAR Lowveld

• • • • •

Suzette Spies The Simunye Project Australia Tommy Bach Ulla & Helmut Schwarzenberger Wolfgang Lippert

Going back 70 years Ivan Gillatt

W

e are now well into the year 2011 and I am going to take you back 70 years to July 1941.

The July school holidays were my favourite, and nothing pleased me more than being out in the bush on a hunt of some sort. Dad had just acquired a ¾ ton Chev pickup and we were going on a hunting trip to the Bushveld for a couple of weeks.

My grandfather, George Crookes, known as GJ and his brother, John, known as JJ had acquired the farm Northampton in the Klaserie area of the Eastern Transvaal from Pump Willis and Earnest Whittingstall who had used it for recreation and hunting.

Pump was unable to walk much as he had a peg leg having lost his leg in the South West campaign of 1914 – 18. He

was a keen amateur photographer taking cine and still photos while Earnest was the hunter.

There was no camp on Northampton and GJ and JJ asked Pump to select a site and build a wattle and daub hutted camp. Pump chose one of their old camping sites which did not interfere with any game paths or drinking places, but was reasonably close to the river.

Their first family visit to the camp was in July 1938, and they were so impressed that they proceeded to purchase additional farms. JJ took over GJ’s share of Northampton and then bought Kent, Cumberland and Elgin, while GJ bought Dover, Northumberland, London and Dundee (see note 1).

This gave them a block of eight farms with the Klaserie River running down the middle. All the farms were purchased for well under one pound a morgen. They then had prime bushveld from, what is now the southern boundary of the KPNR, to the boundary between Dundee and Klaserie Mond.

In 1941 the family resided at Renishaw on the Natal South Coast some 600 miles from Northampton. One July morning we loaded up the pickup and set off to join JJ’s convoy. In those days the route was basically all on gravel roads as only some towns had tarred roads. However, the Transvaal roads

photo: Simon Roberts

10 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

had a good gravel surface. Our first overnight stop was at Volksrust.

It was cold with heavy white frost in the morning. We carried on reaching Graskop the second night. The next morning it was first to Pilgrim’s Rest to acquire hunting licences.

Game licences A small game licence gave you game birds and common smaller buck species up to and including Bushbuck.

The larger species required a licence for each species. Impala, wildebeest, zebra kudu sable and tsesseby were all available on licence although no one took out a licence for tsesseby.

From Graskop the road went down the tortuous Kavain’s Pass and to the lowveld at Bushbuckridge, then on a winding narrow road to the Acornhoek and Klaserie stores. Both places consisted of a trading store, post office and railway station. From the Klaserie store we went west for a mile or two to visit Pump to announce our arrival and get final directions to camp.

From the Klaserie store the road became a vehicle track northwards through the bush to the Southern boundary of Kent with its manned gate (later Matamani gate), then on through the length of Kent. There were some

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 |11

deep and some sandy bottomed creeks to negotiate and one had to engage first gear to avoid losing momentum and getting stuck in the creek, and so on to Northampton camp, our destination.

In those days the veldt was far more open without the bush encroachment of today. The grass cover was good and mostly knee high with open glades between creeks. There were lions and leopards which were not often seen, but heard with quite a number of cheetah and of course hyena and jackal. Sable were quite plentiful along the riverine areas of Kent, while there was a small herd of 20 tsesseby on Northampton.

Herds of waterbuck roamed in various places near the river, with fewer giraffe than there are now.

Small herds of impala There were small herds of impala here and there, but you had to look for them.

Vast herds of wildebeest with some zebra would come down to watering places along the river from as far as the Kruger Park. Basically there were no major fences to the east; some cattle farms might have been fenced, but nothing to prevent the movement of game.

It must be remembered that the Klaserie River area has always been a winter grazing area for lowveld game. In summer after the rains the natural waterholes fill up so it is only during the winter months when they dry up that the game has to move west to the Klaserie River to water.

Northampton camp consisted of four huts used as bedrooms, a larger hut used as a dining room and a wood and iron kitchen together with a hut for the two permanent Shangaan rangers.

There was no running water in camp so all water had to be carried up from the

river in buckets. Extras were employed when camp was open. They carted water, helped with tracking and skinned game that had been shot. One of them by name, Madobani, was a skilled skinner and could deal with the skinning of trophy masks and the preparation of the skulls to enable the taxidermists to mount later.

At this time there were no buffalo in the area. They only started appearing some 20 years later. As for elephant there were only a few on Dundee. We never actually saw any and only traces of them by way of dung heaps here and there.

The farms were managed by Pump Willis who saw to the payment of wages and he would visit the farms once a month to deliver rations for the rangers.

There being no ablution facilities in camp GJ and JJ would have a galvanised tub brought into their hut while the younger ones would go down to the river to bath. There were no crocks or hippo in the river.

The water was unpolluted and crystal clear. Dad and I would go down to the river at midday while it was pleasantly warm for our bath. One of us would keep cave with a rifle so as not to be surprised by lion, while the other would soap up and then take to the water. There was a natural gully between the rocks which formed an ideal bathing spot.

There was of course no refrigeration or cool boxes in those days so one had to live off the veldt as far as meat was concerned. Francolin stew was the popular dish or leg of duiker or such like. Root veggies could be kept fresh by planting them in a bed of sand and watering them.

Rice and potatoes were of course at hand and if necessary, green veggies could be bought from the Klaserie store

as Hoedspruit had not been heard of.

There was only one river crossing on Kent upstream from the present Matamani camp paved with rough stone and then a track on the Eastern side of the river. Otherwise the tracks consisted of river loops on Kent and the “main” road to Dover. Roads being limited, there was much walking especially east of the river.

The main access road was entirely on the western side of the river.

Any game hunted would be fetched by pickup except on the eastern side when big game would have to be skinned, butchered and carried back to camp. Warthog, impala, wildebeest and the odd zebra were successfully hunted by members of the party. GJ and JJ took kudu and sable trophy bulls while the rest of us were content with lesser game. No meat was wasted and the Shangaan helpers turned everything into “biltong”, a real bonus for them.

The highlight of the trip was when Dad took a lioness across the river from one of the river loops on Kent and then the excitement of the follow up to get her and carry her back to the pickup and so to camp. Edwin Crookes, GJ’s cousin, later shot a lion one afternoon.

These hunting trips were all centred round a lion hunt and if one was taken it really made the trip.

All too soon this most memorable time at Northampton was up, and it was time to pack up and start the long drive back to Renishaw.

Note Cumberland and Elgin were later consolidated to form Charloscar. Portions of Dover and Northumberland were later consolidated to form Pitlochly.

London and Dundee were later consolidated to form Dundee.

12 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 2010 WINNERS NAME Nhlamulo Mathebula Wesley Moropane Frizleit Mkhantswa Dennis Mathebula Alishia Ndubane Holly Manyike Leroy Cibi Dineo Mahatlane Lucia Sithole Donation Hlati Lovemore Mathebula Skhulile Shabangu Mpumi Mkansi Ntiyiso Khosa Ntsako Manyike Haphrey Mhangane Thekgo Mashile Nkateko Manyike Excellent Ntimane Ntwanano Mohlala Thabang Mashego Dion Malamule Queen Manyike Valencia Ntimane Oscar Mkhantswa Desire Ngomane Kenneth Mathebula

AGE 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 16

CAMP Camp George Dover Hull Van der Schyff Nel KPNR HQ Camp Mkombe Nel Incheni Gate Cornel Ogilvie Thompson Spilati Camp George Du Toit KPNR HQ Janovsky Dover KPNR HQ Hull 3 Ghekube Camp George Braithwaite KPNR HQ Anderson 4 Hull 4 Senalala Camp Mkombe

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 13

December workshop: INSECTS

T

he CET holiday workshop for 2010 had 230 children and five trainers scanning the HQ surroundings on most of the four days for creepy crawlies to catch, dissect, talk and write about.

“It is such a broad topic,” says Zani Kunz, “that we decided to focus on the different insect groups, eg flying, crawling and burrowing.”

The children had a great time catching the insects, studying the body parts, completing the work sheets, and listening to a story written especially for the workshop by Karen Randall from BushyTale. It was also the time of year to make Christmas decorations and cards, handing out Kit-a-Kid vouchers and making thank-you cards for the Kit-a-Kid donors. One of the highlights

was the handing out of attendance certificates and the announcement of the 2010 winners.

“Thank you to our donors and contributors for their support: Parma for grapes, Pick n Pay for flavoured milk, Mari Hatting for pens and note pads, facilitator CJ McDonald, photographer Karen Randall and volunteers Robyn and Kyle McDonald.

14 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

Water! Water!

W

aar daar ‘n wil is, is water.

Dis nou as dit van die span van die Robert Niven Trust, CET, Laeveld Bou, Van Eck Drilling, Jannie Schoonwinkel en Cornelius Leone afhang om water in werklik moeilike omstandighede aan ‘n desperate gemeenskap te bring.

In Februarie vanjaar het verteenwoordigers van hierdie organisasies koppe, hande en beursies (ook in afslag) bymekaar gesit om water by die Seganyane Primary School moontlik te maak. ‘n Boorgat is geboor, slote gegrou, pype gelê en ’n pomp geinstalleer.

Dit was ook CET se nuwe projek koördineerder, Lindsay Finney, se vuurdoop projek en sy het nie op haar laat wag om die kinders ook sommer meer van boorgatdieptes en watersterkte, so tussen die pikke, stange en sement deur, touwys te maak nie.

Dit was ook ‘n goeie leerskool vir ‘n soortgelyke projek die volgende maand by die New Life Day Care Centre in Welverdiend waar Simunye Project Australië hulle gewig by die span ingegooi het. Ook hier is ‘n boorgat geboor, pype gelê en selfs ‘n watertenk opgerig.

CET se paaie het sowat twee jaar gelede met die van Simunye Project Australië gekruis.

Die projekbestuurder, Mel Beal, vergesel ‘n groep vrywilligers van Australië wat aan verskeie projekte in Suid Afrika werk, onder meer ‘n creche in Johannesburg, Manyeleti Primary School en die New Life Centre.

Simunye het ook in Desember verlede jaar verskeie items aan die CET skoolprogram geskenk gebreide poppe vanuit Australië, pette, balle, skryfbehoeftes, klere en koekies.

Kit-a-Kid YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN

For just R250 we can kit-a-kid in a school uniform for the year! A uniform makes an enormous difference to a child’s school life ... they gain self confidence, work harder and achieve more!

A complete uniform consists of a shirt, shorts/dress, jersey, shoes and socks. Thanks to the generous support we received for this project last year 220 children received a complete uniform plus an extra school shirt. To receive a uniform the children have to work hard and attend the CET trainings during the holidays, and at our adopted Acornhoek schools the committed and enthusiastic learners who participate in the various CET projects also have a chance to qualify for a uniform.

The children need YOU to make a difference .... Children’s Eco Training, Acc nr: 013 253 611, STANDARD BANK, Hatfield Branch, Branch no: 01-15-45, Swift code: SBZAZAJJ, Cheque account, ref: your surname and send proof of payment to zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax 086 628 8733. See our website for more. www.ecochildren.co.za

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 15

Winners take on Magoebaskloof

E

very year CET concludes its Holiday Workshops with a winners’ tour for the age group 14, 15 and 16 and all 16-year-olds who attended most of the Holiday Workshops over the past few years.

The younger groups receive a stationery, toy, book and sweets hamper, while all of the children who attended workshops get certificates of attendance. On average about 220 pupils at-

tend these workshops every year.

The 2010 winners were rewarded with a visit to the well-known Magoebaskloof Adventures and Canopy Tours.

They were joined by the trainers and CET staff for a two-night stay that were packed with activities like ice-breakers, team building, paint ball, wall climbing, brain teasers, the Zip Line and a fashion show featuring haute couture the recycled way.

It was an amazing experience, and no amount of fog or rain could dampen the spirits.

For many of the pupils that was a first outing away from home and made possible by the generous donations from Great North Transport, Pick n Pay, Tommy Bach of Nova Engineering Works (Pty) Ltd, Mike Anderson’s family and friends, Dave Mackenzie, the Cassidy family and Karen Anderson.

BROKKIESSNIPPETS

16 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

BOOK REVIEW - Anton Nel Title:

Author: Publisher: Publication Date: ISBN: Pages:

T

the moon a biography David Whitehouse Headline Review 2002 978-0747264958 320

he book starts with an interesting overview of the supernatural status of the moon in the older nations, including the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, French and even Africans. The Godstatus (in many cases Goddess-status) of the moon across the continents proves the impact that our satellite has had over the ages. Whitehouse argues that the moon has lost its status as a primary object for astronomers. Probably as a result of technological advancements, man has increasingly turned his gaze towards the deeper mysteries of space, seldom sparing even a sidelong glance at the moon.

The mid-twentieth century interest in the moon was mainly driven by political and military power play, rather than scientific interest. However, the book describes the history of lunar observation in much detail with specific references to map making and the (sometimes colourful!) characters involved in the development of our current knowledge of the moon. The theories around the origination of the moon and earth are of particular interest.

The book is well-written and although full of facts, it is easy to read and should hold any reader’s interest. It also contains myths and mysteries about the moon that balance the facts and scientific elements well. There are twelve pages with pictures and photographs that enhance the reading experience, and it has a handy index. The book is not only meant for astronomers or scientists, in fact there might be other more “pure” science books about the moon for such serious reading.

Anyone interested in the moon or astronomy should enjoy this book. An optimal way to enjoy the book would be to sit with a map of the moon and a pair of binoculars to follow the author as he describes the more obvious features of the moon.

Hlokomela candle light memorial held

O

n 20 May 2011 the annual candle light memorial was held at the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve memorial for remembering and honouring heroes, ambassadors and all people who lost their lives as a result of HIV and AIDS. A maximum of 90 workers from the Klaserie game lodges attended the event. The theme of the day was the international theme, ‘Touching Lives”.

The Hlokomela staff performed a drama on workplace policy, life-threatening diseases including HIV and AIDS, TB and other chronic diseases.

The drama revealed how farm and game lodge workers behaved when finding out the hor-

rifying news that they had been infected by these life-threatening diseases.

Gender coordinators facilitated dialogue sessions on the quarterly theme of “It is my turn to talk”, and the monthly topic, “Lead by example”. Couples responded well to questions like, “Why men go drinking and only come home the next day”.

Various other topics were also discussed regarding HIV and AIDS, TB, use of condoms, counselling and the importance of being tested.

It is always a very poignant moment when the ceremony of lighting candles for all the victims of HIV and AIDS brings the event to a close.

HLOKOMELA: CLINIC DATES 2011 • • • • • • •

8 June 22 June 13 July 27 July 10 August 24 August 14 September

• • • • • • •

28 September 12 October 26 October 09November 23 November 14 December 28 December

BROKKIESSNIPPETS

Monnikaasvoëls

by Seekoeigat, Beyers-kamp Marthie van Wyk

S

edert die jaar 2000 het ons die ongelooflike voorreg om met elke besoek aan die Klaserie die aktiwiteite van ‘n paar monnikaasvoëls in die top van ‘n mingerhoutboom aan die wal van die Olifantsrivier dop te hou.

Ons kom gereeld, minstens elke drie maande, in die kamp en het nog nooit hul nes onbewoon gevind nie.

Hulle is of besig om nes te bou, te paar of te broei.

Dis vir ons interessant dat hul nie seisoenaal broei nie, maar sodra die kleintjie die nes verlaat, begin die ouerpaar reeds voorberei vir die volgende broei-sessie.

Ons kon waarneem dat die ouerpaar bo-op die nes paar. Die mannetjie bou aan die nes, pak die materiaal na sy sin en doen dit sitsit-so, asof hy moet voel of dit gerieflik genoeg sal wees.

In dieselfde tyd neem die wyfie in waarnemende hoedanigheid toesig, maar help nie bou nie, sy vlieg periodiek weg om te gaan kos soek terwyl manlief onverpoosd bou.

Hy dra stokke en riet as boumateriaal aan.

Tydens die broei-periode

verlaat hy nie die wyfie nie.

Ons kon waarneem hoe hy haar voer, en selfs kos in haar bek braak.

Ons kan nie bevestig dat hul mekaar aflos nie maar wel dat die nes nooit onbewaak gelaat word nie.

Een keer kon ons waarneem hoe ‘n jongeling vanaf die nes probeer vlieg!

Per geleentheid het ‘n luiperd ‘n rooibok-karkas in ‘n droë boom opgesleep.

En was ons verbasing groot om nie minder as vyf monnike naby die karkas waar te neem nie.

Ons vermoede dat die familie nie ver van mekaar bly voortbestaan nie is bevestig toe ons die week van 24 Mei 2011 nege monnikaasvoëls oor die eiland sien sirkel het.

Hul familie is wel gebiedsgebonde.

Tydens die April-vakansie (2011) was die paartjie aan nes bou en paar. ‘n Enkele maand later vind ons tot ons verbasing dat hulle weer nes bou en paar.

Daar moes dus iets met die broeisel gebeur het.

Ons het die nag van 17 Mei 2011 hewige donderweer in Klaserie beleef, en vir ‘n volle 24 uur was die nes onbewoon. Hulle verlaat ook die nes teen 40ºC soos in Maart 2011.

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17| 17

MAD CAMP 2011

The annual MAD camp took place at High Africa Adventures, outside Worcester from 6-10 April this year and was attended by the bursary pupils, Zandi Mathebula, Mashudu Mutshaeni, Dikgetho Mametja and Samkelo Mahlalela.

BROKKIESSNIPPETS

18 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

Slippery when wet

How you can help CET Anton Nel

I

t was a leopard that started it. Even before my alarm clock went off, in the early hours of the morning, our cats woke my dear wife, Zenta.

Still sleepy, she was negotiating with them to allow her to sleep until the alarm clock went, when she heard the distinct sawing sound uttered by a leopard.

It sounded right outside our house, so she jumped up and walked through the still dark house to get the spotlight and to look through the front window towards the river.

As she stepped down into the living room, she felt something soft under her foot and then it also touched the side of her foot.

Wondering which toy the cats had left lying around she switched on a mini light not to disturb the leopard, and gave a sidelong glance at the toy on which she stepped.

So much for the leopard…

“Anton!” came the yell. Still half asleep, hoping that the alarm clock had somehow broken during the night, and would allow me to sleep late, I recognized the note of panic in my dear wife’s voice. So much for sleeping late… Stum-

bling from the bedroom, I managed to focus on the object of interest to my wife.

A rather stressed out little Marbled Tree Snake was eyeing my wife with trepidation.

Being treated as a stepping stone while catching quick forty winks is no fun, even for a snake!

After the obligatory photo session, we managed to trap the snake underneath a plastic bucket and slide it onto a piece of cardboard.

That allowed me to carry the frightened, but unharmed snake to the fence and release it on the river side where, with a disgruntled backward glance over its shoulder (just kidding!) it slithered away in the grass.

By that time of course there was no sign of any leopard, but the little encounter enabled us to meet another of our seemingly endless visiting wild neighbours.

Classified as mildly venomous, the Marbled Tree Snake is harmless to humans and is 40-60 cm long on average.

It is a beautiful creature, with light to red-brown colouring on its back and dull white cross bands across its body.

It is not uncommon to find it near houses where it hunts geckos.

• •

• • • • • • • • •

Become a donor Donations are tax deductable, Section 18A of the Income Tax Act. Adopt a Project Contribute to Kit-a-Kid Support a Bursary student Leaving us a bequest in your will Introduce us to like minded people Donations in kind Support the volunteer programme Spread the environmental message Pay us a visit

For account and delivery queries, please call us on (015) 793 0482 or e-mail us on fhoedspruit@pnp.co.za

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17 | 19

Stewards of the earth

By Sieglinde Rode

S

tewardship is each individual’s responsibility to manage his life and property with proper regard to the rights of others.

Environmental or wildlife documentaries can be very depressing as most of them paint a decidedly bleak picture of the future.

These documentaries are all brilliant, but at the same time show the devastating effects that human kind has on the environment, like deforestation for instance.

We switch off the television and forget about what we have just seen, but the devastation does not disappear as easily as that.Charity begins at home, but so should conservation.

At home there are many small things that we can do to make a difference, for example: • saving electricity • switching off electrical

devices not being used

CET DATES 29 and 30 June Holiday Workshop, Trainers 4 – 7 July Holiday Workshop, Children 24, 25 September Holiday Workshop, Trainers (tentative) 3 – 6 October Holiday Workshop, Children 3,4 December Winners’ Excursion 6,7 December Holiday Workshop, Trainers 12 – 15 December Holiday Workshop, Children

• saving water • irrigating late afternoon • closing dripping taps, etc.

• recycling.

Just because we do not live by the ocean does not mean we do not have a responsibility there.

We should all consider what we eat, especially when it comes to fish.

A scientific study done, predicts that if we continue fishing the way we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048! Shocking, but so true and it is each individual’s responsibility to do something about it.

We should start by using fish sustainably and responsibly. Every person can download a free WWF SASSI card online at www.wwf.org.za/sassi.

This will show you exactly which fish species are classified as green, orange or red.

Green-listed species are the species that are relatively healthy and well managed populations that can sustain current fishing pressure.

You can also sms the name of the fish you are unsure of to 079 499 8795 (FishMS), and they will let you know within minutes in what category the species is listed.

Some interesting sightings

A mannetjie met ‘n mohawk Louis Kruger

What’s up, Baldy?

Pieter Strauss

LASTWORD

20 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no. 17

A journey from collapse to restoration to transport the statue to Gravelotte, statue was complete and ready for a considerably shorter distance from transport back home. On 4 March 2011 Letaba. the elephant statue returned to Letaba.

The funds, about R110 000, were The statue was lifted from the crate raised fairly quickly by the Honorary in the camp and guests and staff were Rangers and the general public. A very treated to the spectacle of an elephant generous donation from Mr Iain Gil- flying through the camp. bert concluded the fundraising efforts, Jean Meintjes secured the statue which were facilitated by the Bushveld by welding the new footings onto Region of the Honorary Rangers. the plates attached to the concrete With the funds raised the work could footings. continue and the challenge of moving After what seemed like an eternity, a severely damaged statue reared its but was in reality several hours the head again. The biggest part of this iconic statue that had always stood challenge being that the statue needed proudly at Letaba was home, a day to be transported suspended given the worth celebrating. damage to the feet (he had previously been transported on the now non-existent stands). With the assistance of Piet van Wyk (KNP transport manager), Anton Olivier (technical services) and Johan Malan (Game Capture) an elaborate plan was made after several site visits and negotiations.

The move was scheduled for early December 2010.

Game capture donated an old shipping container which was modified by Anton Olivier. With the assistance of game capture’s Thomas Mahori and the game capture vehicle, as well as the general worker teams from both the local ranger and the technical team from Mr Olivier, the epic task of lifting and securing the elephant set the convoy on its way to Gravelotte.

Work on the statue began in late January 2011 and progressed well.

Jean Meintjes adding a Regular visits saw the elfew last touches. ephant of old taking shape again. In late February the

Kirsty Redman

I

n May 2007 Letaba camp staff in the Kruger National Park (KNP) noticed the iconic statue in front of the elephant hall was in danger of collapse.

Local section ranger, Joe Nkuna, secured the statue with ropes to the nearby leadwoods and the task of securing the statue began.

The steel footing on the rear left foot of the elephant had collapsed and were stretching the remaining two footings threatening the entire statue. This appeared to have been caused by longterm rusting.

Upon lifting the statue it became evident that the damage was more severe than initially thought and straight-forward repairs were impossible. Technical services decided to excavate a hole in an enclosed location and to cushion the statue in this hole with tyres until arrangements could be made.

This started an epic almost four year challenge to repair the statue. Logistics and expense prevented the willing assistance of the original artist Phil Minaar as the equipment needed could not be brought to the KNP and no one was prepared to undertake the risk of transporting an already damaged statue to Pretoria where Mr Minaar resided.

In July 2010 a light at the end of the tunnel emerged through an Honorary Ranger from Lowveld Region, Otto Frauenstein who was assisting in the Letaba Elephant Hall. Having experienced what the permanent staff did daily since the removal with the variety of “where is the statue” questions, Otto suggested a young artist resident in Gravelotte, Jean Meintjes, whom he knew and felt that he would be able to undertake the work required.

After a very positive meeting and seeing the level of work that Mr Meintjes was capable of it was approved that we could continue with the repairs. We would just need to raise the funds and

SOME OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE Tel. : (021) 976-9320 Cell : 082-466-8515 Fax : 086-692-3035 E-mail : rian@hrcover.co.za www.hrcover.co.za

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Dispute Resolution Company Specific Policies and Procedures Performance Management

Registered Human Resources Practice (SABPP)

• • • •

Employment Equity Reporting Skills Development Reporting BEE Etc.

Linking Employee Performance and Company Performance