“All we have is the knowledge passed on to us by our elders, experiences we inculcate and hardly negate. But to bridge the generation gap, one needs to adapt to the new while retaining the goodness of the old. Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them” – S0nali Bendre

Ancient wisdom intertwined with modern hospitality has always been at the heart of this place called Londolozi, this rhythm and beat of diverse people who come together and share their culture and stories of time. Wilderness and firelight always point you towards listening to the song of those who walk before you, elders who are there to guide you along the way.

Today, I want to pause and honour three exceptional elders whose lives have been deeply entwined with this place and business for over a century combined. Their unwavering dedication, resilience, and spirit epitomize the essence of Londolozi.

Two of the extraordinary men leaving us featured in an image that collectively has a sensational amount of knowledge and wisdom. Starting from the left, Judas Ngomane, the centre is Richard Siwela who departed Londolozi in 2017, and Jerry Hambana on the right.

These extraordinary men, with their unique stories, embody the spirit of Ubuntu, As we bid farewell to these remarkable men, we are reminded of the immeasurable impact they have had on the Londolozi family and the countless lives they have touched, guests, colleagues and family alike.

Their wisdom, kindness, and dedication have enriched us all, and we are eternally grateful for the privilege of learning from them. As we carry their legacy forward, may we continue to embrace the spirit of Ubuntu – “I am because of you.”

At Londolozi, we believe in honouring ancient wisdom, understanding traditions and cultures, and recognizing them as the foundation of our ethos. Londolozi is built on the richness of nature and the profound heritage of the culture brought to us from so many different walks of life.

Judas Ngomane ‘Bava Judes’

Humility personified. Judas’s journey represents the limitless strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Amidst the turmoil of civil unrest that began in Mozambique in 1977, Judas was a beacon of hope, guiding his family and countless others to safety with courage and compassion. His selfless acts of transport not only saved many lives but exemplified the true essence of Ubuntu – the interconnectedness of humanity.

Judas tells an entertaining story of how he became a tracker in 1980. He was working at another lodge as a gardener and the only one available to fill in as a temporary tracker for a colleague who had fallen ill. So thrilled by this opportunity, Judas eagerly scoured the road ahead of him looking for tracks until he came across a set of lion tracks. He and the ranger stepped out of the vehicle to investigate further. Moments later they found themselves still on the trail of the tracks now a few hundred meters from the vehicle with the ranger’s faith in Judas being able to find the lions dwindling, after all, he worked in the gardens and was not a tracker. Judas eventually convinced the ranger to continue a little further, and within minutes of resuming their tracking, the lions stood up from the grass in front of them!

The ranger could not believe it. Judas had managed to track and find the lions, his days working in the gardens were now over. A few years went by with Judas now working as a full-time tracker until fate would have John Varty and Elmon Mhlongo cross paths with Judas while filming cheetahs at the lodge. John was enamoured by Judas’s ability to track and they exchanged numbers. A while later, Judas made the move across to Londolozi in 1991.

His humble presence and unwavering dedication remind us of the transformative power of compassion and resilience. A man who has seen it all yet presents himself as the most kind-hearted and genuine person around. ‘Bava Judes’ as he is affectionately referred to within the Londolozi community, meaning ‘Father Judes’, stems from Judas being seen by everyone as a father figure, from whom many people would tap into his wisdom for guidance, counselling, and advice.

Ancient Shangaan Wisdom

Jerry Hambana

Jerry Hambana’s connection to the wilderness runs deep, nurtured by his grandfather’s gentle guidance from a young age, amidst the untamed landscapes of Mozambique. Fascinated by the wilderness his grandfather brought him to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where Jerry’s mother was born. Here he first saw and heard a lion. Without attending any form of school, Jerry could not read or write and spoke not a word of English. The only employment he could find was working on a sugarcane farm in Komatieport. Following years on the farm, Jerry felt lost and was desperate to return to the wilderness to find employment in the Kruger National Park, this resulted in him finding his way to the Newington Gate to the Sabi Sand Wildtuin in 1984.

Coincidently Alan Taylor was there looking for people to help with the land care team. After many years of working under Alan, he could only communicate by speaking fanakalo.

Fanakalo/Fanagalo |ˌfanaɡaˈlɒ |
noun

a lingua franca developed and used by the southern African mining companies, composed of frequently corrupted elements of the Nguni languages (Xhosa, Hlubi, Zulu, Ndebele, and Swati), English, and Afrikaans.

Jerry had seen many a tracker on the game drives and approached Alan about the prospects of becoming a tracker himself. Alan’s concern about Jerry’s inability to converse with the guests on the game drive was eased when Jerry assured him that he would learn from the guests. Jerry was given a six-month probation period as a trainee tracker, during which time if his English didn’t improve he would return to the habitat work he was doing. To Alan’s amazement, Jerry’s English had come on leaps and bounds, proving that he was serious about it.

Alan bought Jerry a large Oxford English Dictionary to help him on his way. From this Jerry then learned to read and write. Mastering the art of tracking and returning to his roots, Jerry graced Londolozi with his wisdom for 40 years, navigating the trails of tracking and weaving narratives of the bush for guests from all over the globe. Showcasing his unwavering dedication to his craft and boundless love for the people around him, a true testament to the calibre of man that he is. His enduring dedication to his craft and love for his family embody the essence of Londolozi’s ethos.

Colbert Mdluli

Colbert Mdluli’s journey embodies the transformative power of perseverance and the pursuit of dreams. Born and raised in the neighbouring village of Huntington, Colbert’s aspirations soared beyond the horizon of his humble beginnings. His lifelong career in hospitality began at a local hotel near the Paul Kruger Gate to the Kruger National Park, where he honed his skills as a waiter from a tender age.

Striving to better himself, the turning point in Colbert’s journey arrived through the kindness of a family friend, Lisen Ngwenya, who extended a helping hand by securing him a position as a waiter at Londolozi in September of 1993. From the outset, Colbert’s warmth and dedication left an indelible mark on both guests and colleagues alike.

For 27 years, Colbert entertained guests with his charismatic and endearing nature, sporting the widest of smiles around the clock. Working across all the Londolozi camps as a waiter and butler, Colbert had well and truly mastered his craft while watching the place around him grow into a magnificent and world-renowned destination for luxury and conservation.

Beyond his professional duties, Colbert’s impact throughout the Londolozi Village extends to the countless lives he touched and the strong connections he formed. He served as a mentor and friend, embodying the spirit of Londolozi as a place where every interaction is genuine and focused on excellence. His positive attitude and dedication inspired many throughout the organisation to embrace warmth, grace, and inclusivity.

These three men have been instrumental weaves in the Londolozi journey and will forever be part of the Londolozi family. Their departure marks the end of an era, but their legacy will endure in the hearts and minds of all who have had the privilege of knowing them. We bid them farewell with deep gratitude and respect, knowing that their wisdom will continue to guide us on our journey forward. May their next chapters be filled with joy, peace, and the same boundless love they have shared with us.

Farewell, Bava Judes, Jerry and Colby! Thank you for everything. You will always hold a special place in our hearts, and your legacy will shine brightly in the tapestry of Londolozi’s history.

Famba Kahle!