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Ditto!

Thank you for placing this in its rightful place
A true Kruger hero
Indeed this is special

Media Release:

Another tribute to Sergeant Charlie Nkuna.

This son of Ranger Merriman Nkuna, patrolled the Pretoriuskop area with Ranger Henry Wolhuter, together with Helfas Mangane as well as Helfas Nkuna, during Wolhuters duty in the area between 1950 and 1959, and thereafter with many other Rangers. The trio mentioned were indeed the nemesis of many poachers.

This remarkable man is very well informed about the history of the Kruger National Park. It is him who indicated the grave of Chief Mataffin who had been murdered by the Swazis in 1890s, on 12 November 1985 on the western bank of the Imagoroti Creek.

The Nkuna family were for many generations involved in the Conservation of our heritage. There are 12 names recorded with the 'NKUNA"surname as Rangers who served with honour in this noble task.

Sergeant Charlie Mokoena I salute you.

How I would love to talk to you and record some of your knowledge.

Your tracks and your legacy will remain in the Kruger Park forever.

These veterans will be missed - I understand that the eductional requirement to be appointed is matric , now todays candidates who have grown up in the settlements and towns have relatively little bush experience and historical knowledge , a lot of info will be lost due to the passage of time and modernisation of their lifestyle .

Hear hear...Hats off to Sergeant Charlie Nkuna. What a rich life to live in so many ways. And great that the recognition was given by SANParks too.

I have actually got quiet a few stories which I will share with you soon , just in a bit of a rush now

Nombolo Mdluli the ranger on the first page, worked in Kruger for 52 years and retired in 1971. When he retired, what items did he donate to the museum at Skukuza, which apparently are still on display. I can not find anything about this if it is true or not can somebody help me.

It is true , I quote loosely and not fully from page 110 of the book "Kruger - Portrait of a National Park"

"His hat that was made from the skin of a lion he destroyed that had killed a young boy who was guarding a maize field from baboons , his rifle that he was authorised to use to despatch troublesome lions by the warden , as well as the sewing machine he received as a gift from the park warden are all on display at the museum within the Stevenson hamilton Library ."

Nombolo Mdluli had previously distinguished himself for other brave actions .

Thanks Ndloti, if I may ask where did you get the information.

Ja Louis, nou kan jy die geen-kudu horing vraag beantwoord

Louis , pm me your email address and I will copy and attach the pages from the book .

My source as well.

when I read some Stories about the Heroes, I ask my self if the really were. In my oppnion some were not. Are we a hero if we kill a Predator? Best example the man with the Lion eating kid. He is for me not a hero. Because He is doing his Job. when a lion eats a human being the Lion must be killed anyway to avoid Problems. It will be a different Story ih he saves the life of the Kid, but if I do not missunderstood the Post that is not the case.

But the man with the CRock is for me ahero he saved his buddy and brought himself into danger.

There are lot of books writing about the heroes of the Bush. one of you have asked for the source.

By the way does anybody know the Name of the Ranger from Skukuza? The man was heavily wounded by a Lion. The Lion attaked him and ahve him betwen the Jaws. In this case the Game was nearly over. He lost his gunb the only thing he had at this stage were the knive. But he was able to strike the knive in the Chest of the LIon. So the lIon died. The Ranger crawl along distance to the Road, where Tourist piked him up. He survived.

Dear Ndloti/ Rooies/ Louis,

I wrote a short paper on Nombolo Mdluli and can email it to you if you're interested. He must have been a remarkable man and one of those old timers I would have loved to meet. Send me your email addresses, if you're interested.

Kind regards.

JOEP STEVENS