It would be impossible for us at Londolozi, as true South Africans, to do this year’s round up without starting with a huge congratulations to our national rugby team who won the World Cup Rugby. This was not just a win, but a win for a 4^th time and twice in a row, 2019 and 2023 – a world first accomplishment! This global event, spanning 6 weeks, has brought our nation together as 65 million South Africans became emotionally vested in the outcome of each contest.  We witnessed the remarkable demonstration of commitment, tenacity and leadership of our national rugby team with a single focus to Win the World Cup for all South Africans!

At a deeper level, the events of the last 6 weeks hold many lessons for us all in leadership, nation building, humility in success and cooperation for the greater good. The management and players elected as their slogan “Stronger Together” which became the rallying point for the team who demonstrated to the nation Ubuntu, servant-leadership, togetherness and family values at every level of their behaviour. On every occasion this group of remarkable young South Africans acknowledged and appreciated the support given to them by their fellow South Africans. The “Stronger Together” slogan is having wider ramifications including in the world of conservation. In Africa it is evolving from a once individualistic and Euro-centric, scientific policy to a far more collective, Afro-centric and restoration-based policy promoting inclusion.

To frame this evolution of approach to conservation, one needs to trace the history of Conservation in Africa back to the 1800s when domination of nature resulted in a huge overkill of wildlife.  This era was followed in the early 1900s when a “military approach” was applied which was founded on conflict and protection as a way to stabilise the remnant game reserves on the continent. This approach was supported by “Keep Out” legislation and a hard border protection approach. This resulted in unintended consequences and the alienation of people living on the borders of these Game Reserves.  These protected areas became the exclusive domain of “scientists and conservationists” who despite the “elitist approach” during the 1960 and 70s made a contribution to giving us a greater understanding of the intelligent workings of nature. This was an early signal of the importance of symbiosis and interconnectedness and how natural systems are stronger by working together.

During this time several forward-thinking NGOs such as the Wildlife Society, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Wilderness Leadership School were founded, bringing greater cooperation and understanding of the importance of conservation as a national treasure.

By the 1980s the Londolozi Conservation Development Model had evolved and had inadvertently followed a principle of “Stronger Together” in the belief that wildlife and people could and should co-exist in harmony – each to the others mutual benefit. This belief was indeed reflected in Londolozi’s 1976 Mission Statement.

The Model demonstrated tangibly how conservation and tourism could be a force for social good and nation building. It’s this force that has been so prevalent over the last few weeks as a result of our national rugby team who won the World Cups. These wins have truly inspired a nation and kindled trust amongst all South Africans.

During 2023 we witnessed similar values and beliefs as two extraordinary NGOs of reference, being Peace Parks Foundation and Africa Parks Foundation, came together in a global first cooperative arrangement. They had a vision to acquire and distribute over 2000 white rhino back into the wild into various “safe havens” where they can thrive and multiply.  This excellent cooperative conservation project, which should see the rebuilding of vibrant white rhino populations at a number of different locations in Southern Africa, demonstrates further that “Stronger Together” works.  This development ushers in an era of transition from historic classic “inward” conservation and scientific research” to “outward” big landscape restoration and rewilding – a trend which is becoming synonymous with an emerging African Restoration movement in partnership with people. These restoration projects represent the expansion of land under wildlife and the pursuit of the greater good for Africa and her people…  something Dr Ken Tinley in the 1980s referred as “Outward Creative Conservation – the cooperative rebuilding of great interconnected ecosystems in partnership with nature and people…”

The list of restoration projects in Southern Africa during 2023 continues to grow and is becoming a prevailing worldwide movement – in Scotland, in South America, in India, in Sri Lanka and indeed the USA to name a few. Money, political support and dedicated operatives, such as the NGOs mentioned above, continue to positively fuel the flames of land restoration, river catchment protection and promotion of the economy of wildlife in service of people. These “Stronger Together” restoration projects are gathering momentum in Africa, it is indeed a movement that bodes well for the future.

In the late 1970s, Dr Anton Rupert had a vision of creating Transfrontier Peace Parks which would not only promote peace amongst nations but would also result in the regeneration of natural systems.  This concept was endorsed and embraced by Madiba as he, together with other forward thinking African leaders, established the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Peace Park – 6million acres of land under wildlife – further demonstrating even then that “Stronger Together” endures.

Could it be that over the next 100 years this philosophy will endure and that these Peace Parks grow in stature? In turn the cornerstones of a series of wildlife networked corridors open across Africa as cooperative conservation and land restoration becomes the new norm, inspired by African collective thinking.

The beginnings of this possibility is already evident as the countries of South Africa and Mozambique cooperate in the ongoing restocking of the Zinawe Reserve, east of Kruger in Mozambique – South Africa’s animals and Mozambique’s land.

Gregg Carr’s Gorongosa’s restoration project, now in its 10^th year, is yet another example of land restoration and human upliftment and represents a lighthouse for further humanitarian work founded on restoration of lands.

The Peace Parks Foundation and Africa Parks have understood that “Stronger Together” works and have made huge strides working in collaboration with each other and with various African governments and visionary funders to restore a number of wild reserves in various African countries.

Returning to the home fires at Londolozi’s Futuristic African Village, this year many “Stronger Together” initiatives have been started. 2023 included rebuilding of Founders Camp as a nod to our past Alumni, each of whom over many decades, added their “brick in the wall” to create Londolozi. Classic in design, the beautiful Founders Camp opened its doors to welcome guests in May this year.

Also during 2023, the village Clubhouse and Canteen, the heartbeat of the Londolozi community, was rebuilt. This idea of cultures coming together for greater strength at a venue, such as a Clubhouse, was the vision and advice of Dr Enos Mabuza during his visit to Londolozi in 1985. He suggested that the solution to our political divide was to pour cultures together towards greater understanding of each other. Enos had an innate understanding of “Stronger Together” and his visit lives on, particularly on these last evenings when the Londolozi family joined 65 million people across the country to roar their support, as the Springboks clawed their way towards the final whistle of the 2023 World Cup. The Clubhouse became the scene of great anxiety, interspersed with moments of high emotion, relief and joy as South Africa won its last 3 games in the World Cup by a single point, representing a defining moment in sporting history.

Over the past few years the global travel industry demonstrated amazing cooperation as our partners in the trade, and ourselves responded to the Covid pandemic. One sees in this unprecedented event a clear example of how we together withstood this setback, returning Stronger yet still Together as we rebuilt the industry. As a result of us working closely with our trade partners, we have had the opportunity to welcome many, many friends from around the world, who returned in numbers to rekindle their passion for the ever-thriving wildlife at Londolozi. As an aside during the wonders of 2023, we were privileged to win the Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Award for the Best Safari destination in the world.

During 2023 the Londolozi Ripple Fund continued to impact throughout the neighbouring villages starting with 3500 young learners who this year attended GWF’s open learning academies and a further 250 young South Africans who will be graduate from the ICDL, Tourism and Conservation Academies in November this year. We draw satisfaction in the knowledge that these young people are now well prepared to make their contribution in the future to making our country “Stronger Together.”

The same can be said for the Tracker Academy and Rhino Guardian graduates who continue to play an important role in protecting and rebuilding the white rhino populations of South Africa. Other Ripple Effect projects of cooperation, common cause and co-creation include investments by Londolozi in a number of small farming operations which have grown in stature and now represent valued suppliers of fresh produce to Londolozi. The year also saw a many in-house personal development and training programmes enabling continuous growth and stature for many members of our Londolozi Family. Indeed, the “Stronger Together” mantra is not new and has always been represented in the core values of Londolozi. For decades we have pursued and promoted a cooperative relationship between wildlife, land and people from all cultures and nationalities to work in harmony towards common objectives. It was these values that touched President Mandela deeply during his visit to Londolozi, causing him to remark that

“…I saw people of all races living in harmony amidst the beauty that Mother Nature offers…”

As we reflect on the outcome of this year’s World Cup Rugby tournament and how our African belief of Ubuntu was so strongly showcased around the globe, we spare a thought for the state of the world at large, the tragic divisions that exist and the devastating conflicts that have emerged this year. We send out heartfelt South African lessons of Ubuntu, pleading with the world that conflict keeps us apart and makes us weak whilst cooperation brings us together and makes us strong.

And so, to you all we send a heartfelt “Stronger Together” South African Christmas greetings and pray for greater cooperation, co-creation and peace in the world for the year ahead. As is tradition, here is Londolozi’s much-awaited Festive Season video… enjoy.

Dave Varty

World Cup Rugby Image: Eurosport