“You don’t stumble upon your heritage. It’s there, just waiting to be explored and shared.”
September 24th is National Heritage Day in South Africa and a chance for us, as a nation, to pause and reflect on a tumultuous history spanning thousands of years of kinship and kingdoms throughout Southern Africa. It is on upon this diverse ancestral story that the foundations of modern-day South Africa have been forged and moulded.
Nelson Mandela at Londolozi
Born out of this rich tapestry of storytelling we at Londolozi celebrate our heritage in all its forms Founded on generations of pioneering endeavours, hard work, fun and friendship, Londolozi – 91 years later – continues its enduring partnership with nature.
We are able to reflect on how privileged we have been, for over four decades, to welcome a wide diversity of guests from a multitude of countries to our little African Village set in the heart of a vast and wild wilderness …. Londolozi – the place we call home.
This connection to our wider global family and friends has led us to believe that now is the time for us all to begin imagining a new order of things. The ideas that based on the laws of nature and lying within our shared humanity is the potential to create a kinder, gentler world, a world founded on our oneness with each other and the need to be more careful with our heritage and mindful of what we pass on to future generations. Just take a look at this incredible video by South African filmmaker, Dan Mace, to see what I mean.
Today at Londolozi, we reflect on our ancient heritage and our longing for wildness … to always hear the roar of a lion walking silently into the midst of an empty vastness. To treasure the shade of a tree, the river-song, sunlight, silence and the great remembering, as our hearts cry out for the simplicity of nature, shared humanity and the freedom to live our truth.
This is our treasured heritage
This is where we belong
This is our spirit of place
This is Londolozi
Beautifully written Dave. Nature is our heritage and we will all benefit by, as you wrote it’s simplicity.
Dave Varty, thank you for creating the world of Londolozi. Even more we thank you for having children who created the evolution to a more worthwhile way of appreciating so many of God’s creations.
I wonder how many lodges would take the trouble to comment on National Heritage Day, and perhaps that is what makes Londolozi special
????beautifully presented and timely! Thank you
I am with you in spirit every day…..every single day?‼️
Joining with your countrymen in the US is something all Americans need to work at. The divisions we have have been here for many years including racism, fear of foreigners or just someone who is different. It is simply more visible due to our president. I have been very lucky to have traveled in a fair number of places in the world and always found, with few exceptions, that the majority of people are interesting and nice and want the same things for their families. If you give them half a chance you discover many things in common. In the U S i think one problem is fear of many things and people and changes. One of the thing we love about Londolozi is the feeling that you have gained even for a few days a family and that you are a welcome addition to the family.When we leave we are sad at leaving behind friends and relations. South Africa has had a much more difficult history to overcome. I hope they will continue to win. I expect this is a little disjointed thanks for your patience Victoria
Thankful for your continued vision and determination to create, not only a safe place for the animals and the ground they stand on, but for embracing all others in unity with a universal focus for the future. In truth, we all are on this journey together. Thank you, Dave!
Indeed, we share the longing and appreciate how blessed we are Dave
Thank goodness the world has passionate people like you to bring awareness of our wild beautiful diversity; wildlife and of our people. Blessings