Space For Elephants participation in the Boundless SA expedition
This expedition integrates the objectives, mission statement and vision statement of Space For Elephants Foundation. Therefore Digs Pascoe as CEO was invited to lead some of the Boundless SA team, through Zululand, Swaziland and Mozambique, as well as being a specialist on Zulu history and culture.
Space For Elephants Foundation - Digs Pascoe, Melanie, Horace & Dulcie, symbolically a family group joins the Kingsley Holgate family group to roam Southern Africa. Larry Bentley, media bull, blows his trumpet, recording the saga in photos. The great day for this exciting African odyssey has arrived.
Friday 22 May
A convoy of Land Rovers with flashing lights leaves Shakaland to attend the Ncemani School celebrations, after a night spent in a beehive hut at the Cultural village. Artists are discovered, as the art competition is viewed. All schools were donated art materials by Kingsley. The artworks depicts Boundless SA themes of nature conservation & tourism. Dust is kicked up by little feet, as the football gets under way. Adolf & team from 4x4 Megaworld, create a soccer field. Mobile library containers from Rotary & sponsors are handed to the principal. Kingsley's and the team's wish is children with hope & dreams are our future - Ubuntu! "Mahlembehlembe" from Shakaland, proud of his Zulu culture, dressed in traditional regalia, acts as a top soccer commentator.
Ready to roam the next migratory route, a fluffy elephant, representing African Unity is attached to the bonnet of Dig's Land Rover.
A token of respect to the ancestors, stones are placed on the Isivivane, to bless the journey.
The expedition splits, Digs inland, Kingsley coastal route. A baby calabash travels Zululand, collecting water from each major source, symbolic of the Elephants, communicating through the mists of time. Umhlatuzi River is the first waterhole. Land Rovers wind the steep route with breathtaking views of the sacred Valley of the Kings.
The sun leaves us behind, as we wander into Emakhosini / Ophate Game Reserve welcomed by 2 rhinos & Dig's friend, Sihle Nxumalo, (O I C Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve) and Ncamsile with beaming smiles.
Saturday 23 May
A bronze King Cetshwayo stands proud to welcome us at the Ondini Cultural Museum and his historic residence. Educational and vibrant is the museum display.
Eerie in its silence. Spirit of Emakhosini (Valley of the Kings) is home to the ghosts of the past. Views from the peak surround all sides. A symbolic traditional beer pot on a beaded inkhata stands guard to the spirits.
White Umfolozi water is collected on the way to Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Park. Black Umfolozi River adds to the calabash as a lazy bull buffalo looks on with 3 white rhino wallowing in the mud. We pay homage to the pioneers of saving rhino in Africa at the Centenary Centre.
Sihle Nxumalo, once again welcomes us to Hilltops and gives a glowing account of the Park history, recorded by our TV cameraman.
The rhino & elephant want us to stay! Animal traffic jam! Mad Mike, Horace & Dulcie and their landies are of great enterest to the prehistoric pachyderms. We are privileged to have such close encounters.
Night is spenpt at the research camp, Phinda Game Reserve. Meeting up with Chris from Nandos and Dom from ‘& Beyond'. Tales are shared & dreams are manifest in the flickering flames of the bonfire, as we slouch in comfortable Canvas & Tent chairs.
Sunday 24 May
An inquisitive cheetah peeps at our tent as we leave.
Soccer, art & books add to the exciting day at the school near Phinda Game Reserve.
Education: how people and animals can co-exist. --- well done to Rotary & sponsors!
A chameleon accompanies the calabash to fill from Lake Sibaya. Chameleons, according to some, are symbolic of our sensitivity to the environment.
Through Mkuze Game Reserve. Hippos & Yellow billed storks herald our welcome as we bypass the Muzi Pans on our way out
Ghost Mountain, cave burial sites of chiefs long gone. Battle of Tshaneni. The wind whispers the memories of wars past.
Bheki Gumbi Wildlife Reserve & College is home that night. Camping under the moon lit sky. Spectacular Views of Lake Jozini below. Drought. Shortage of water. Humans make do with bringing their own. Adolf, 4x4 Mega World thankfully donates a water tanker for the wildlife. Bellows of thirsty Nguni cattle compete with Gary Albyn's stunning recital of his story of Manzovo, Place of the Elephants, around the bush T V. Story time, the African Way.
Monday 25 May
Myekeni School, Adolf's 4x4 Megaworld team transforms a desolate piece of ground into a soccer field. Roars of approval as the Thanda Lions coach football. Eyes were large, as the Thanda Royal Zulus played a friendly. Well-done to these professionals! Thanks to Pierre, Dulcie & Anna. The local teams awarded with the same enthusiasm. Trophy presented to winning team. Nkosi Zeblon Gumbi, the principal, officiates at the opening of the resource centre building at the school, funded by Soul of Africa, Space For Elephants Foundation & Rotary Eshowe/Canada. The first 2 mobile libraries make it home. Proud artists receive their gifts. Grindrods portable desktops distributed amongst kids. Community, culture & nature - Boundless South Africa wins again!
Trumpeted thanks to Amon, Dumisile, Busi, Dylon & Christa of Bhejane Nature Training, Mathew & Janine Pascoe, Horace, Dulcie & Lois for all their hard work to ensure a successful stay & community event. Thank you to 4-Square Supermarket & Somkhanda and Pongola Game Reserves for providing the feast. Grateful thanks to Ghost Mountain Inn for bathing a tired and grubby Boundless team.
Tuesday 26 May
Like a bull elephant from a nearby game reserve that went walkabout into Swaziland, The Boundless expedition passes through Golela border post.
Bright coloured Swazi traditional dress, adorned with elephants & lions, the deputy Prime Minister and 7 Ministers of Cabinet, greet the Boundless SA team with drumming marching majorettes into Swaziland. Hosted by Jay Azram & Royal Jozini Big 6 Reserve, the community and school event at Lavumisa, a huge success.
Arrangements change, as royal decree is issued & Wisdom Dlamini, the Director of Nature Conservation, accompanies the Boundless SA team to visit the Queen Mother, Nkos Ndlovugazi, Matriarch of Swaziland. Traditionally, respectfully adorned with beaded necklaces, and brightly coloured dress, the Boundless SA team transforms. Welcomed with the grace of the Queen Mother.
Dinner with smiling faces, a warm welcome at Mantenga Cultural Village, Ezulweni Valley. Peaceful sleep to bubbling streams & nestled amongst tree-tops. Early morning, soared the Swaziland choir voices mingling with songbirds with the Boundless SA song.
Wednesday 27 May
Back into Zululand. Phongolo Nature Reserve. 3 rhinos watch with sleepy eyes, as water is collected to the calabash from the Lake Jozini, then onwards to Maputaland.
Nkosi Tembe, greets the expedition on the Uphongolo bridge. Elephants used to drink from here in times long ago, so water is added to the little calabash.
Camping at the Tembe community lodge, at Tembe Elephant Park. Again, Gary Albyn holds us spellbound with Manzovo, whilst flames from the fire embrace us with warmth.
Thursday 28 May
Tembe School community day. Zulu drums greet the day. A container library, donated by Grindrod, stood in awe, as its shelves got filled with books. Soccer a festive game, and artworks completed with themes of nature.
Digs & his team roam the breathtaking Usuthu Gorge. Met by Clint of the Wildlands Conservation Trust, introduced to K.S Mathenjwa, the land giver, his stonework walls are edifices like ages gone by of Zimbabwe. A must see. A bountiful vegetable garden is a huge success. Awaiting tourism with abated breath.
Crocodiles wonder what this calabash is --- held by this crazy man at the waters edge - Usuthu River / Ndumo / Tembe / Muzi / Futhi corridor / Maputo Special Reserve, only apart by a fence, Imagine --- communities and --- Boundless S A will change all this.
Friday 29 May
School event near Kosi Bay. The dancers and singers brightly adorned in orange. 6 learners - soon to see their first elephants as treat from Isimangoliso. Excitement mounted as kids fondled Kingsley's beard. Soccer was played. Artwork, history of fish kraals praised by Debbie. Gindrod portable desktops awards. The event ended with a thank you God.
Drive through Tembe Elephant Park, to the Tembe-Futhi transfrontier Muzi Border post. Meant to crossover into Mozambique. Disappointment as it becomes symbolic crossing.
Welcome by Custodia Banze, head of Maputu Elephant Park. Dash along "no mans land" the Macmahon Line to reach the Kosi Bay border post before its close. Wheels come off as the SA officials close the gates. Mozambique border officials await our crossing "Boundless SA welcome at any time."
Ponta Mamoli awaits us late at night, after telephone wires burnt hot, and South African border gates re-opened for the diplomatic mission of Boundless SA. A beaded fly whisk works wonders to bless the forgiving border guards.
Saturday 30 May
Few orphan kids gather on the beach with welcome & games from Kingsley & Thompson tours.
Sunday 31 May
Angelo, the community facilitator Peace Parks, & Miguel of Peace Park Foundation, Lubombo Marine Reserve (Mozambique parks & beaches) led us into the remoteness of Maputo Special Reserve (Maputo Elephant Park). Vast expanse of grass parklands, rolling hills & valleys. Old Elephant dung on the beaches, hints at elusive comings & goings. Camp is set up, falling asleep to the roaring of the waves.
Monday 1 June
On the search for elephants - large footprints in sandy tracks, disappointing, dung is not fresh. Huge lakes with hippos & crocs with water so still. No visible signs of elephants.
Camp set up in the bush with the rhythmic sound of waves. Gigantic monkey apples fall from trees (narrowly missing Kingsley's bed).
Tuesday 2 June
Nando's deserving stroll into camp from the beach. Nandos, a sponsor of the expedition, also with malaria prevention, organizes an incentive for their staff. Met at the entrance gate by Kingsley & directed to walk the talk. Feasted Nando's chicken, potato wedges and stuffed. Comfortably seated, around the looking fire, a strange looking man walks into camp, old hat upon his head, stick in hand, slightly grubby looking. "Camping in the elephant's path is not such a good idea" says Digs, "the respected Nduna of the area, says that the elephants come onto the beaches, through this camp, to talk to the whales." Some did not sleep so sound that night!
Wednesday 3 June
Encounters with humans in this Special Reserve are rare. Yet, tucked away in the depths of this beauty, is Mbabala little school. Overwhelmed eyes stare at the Boundless SA and the Nandos team, as preparations for artwork & soccer begin. Mosquito nets, as part of Kingsley & Nando's anti-malaria campaign are handed out to mothers with children under 5. Soccer balls & gifts are welcomes with shy smiles and warm hearts.
As if the herd was racing against time, the team now pretend to Dakar rally. Ferry across waters at Delagoa Bay must be taken, in order to meet the Minister of Tourism and the Land Rover club in Maputo. The herd dips dusty trunks, and squirt the waters of the Rio Maputo into the traveling baby calabash.
Late night arrival Maraquenya
Thursday 4 June
Successful school event with Boundless & Nandos Nandacos taking charge
Space For Elephant's herd is turning back now. Its migratory route has come to an end.
Water collected in our little calabash, ritually, joins the water in the famous beaded Holgate calabash, Another Boundless S A story of great achievements joins the archives --- thanks to great minds, great givers and great communities. UBUNTU viva AFRICAN UNITY
Boundless SA - community, culture, conservation. It is about linking trans frontier conservation areas, educating learners, pre-empting the soccer world cup & sharing cultures. A privilege to have been invited to participate.
Johan Louw - the dreamer who dreamt up this concept. Thank you! To Leonore, sitting behind her desk, daydreaming to become part of the herd. To all the team, who made it happen. To all the sponsors whom assisted.
To the Boundless SA team on the road - Kingsley & Jill, Ross & Anna, Johann, Mad Mike, Dave, Rob, Babu and Richard - from one school to another, from one community to another, from one country to another, often arriving late at night to sleep where-ever they end up.
Dedication and the desire to assist communities, cultures & conservation is a worthwhile trend.
Thank you.
We are privileged to continue with Boundless SA and will be traveling through the Greater Mapungubwe /Limpopo-Shashe transfrontier and the Kavango Zambezi conservation areas soon.