Kruger Heroes

[Elsa]

Steven Whitfield, ranger and pilot based in the Tshokwane area is following in his Dad's footsteps.

[Pangolin2u]

Senyetse, Dr Joubert was external examinor on my Master as well. You must have done something on the larger animals then.
Where were you based and when?

Elsa, I still have a knife from Ted Whitfield

Mike English was a section ranger in Kruger. His son Don is still working in Kruger.

Will be interesting to know where the Kruger's are today.

Often people move apart and loose contact, I was not aware of Sunday's get together for old staff in Pretoria. Would have loved to attend it and meet some of the old faces again.

[Mubi]

Mike English is is very much alive. He has retired and he and his wife (Andre) live in White River. As Pangolin has noted, his eldest son Don, is Section ranger at Malelane.

[Pangolin2u]

gmlsmit, excellent thread "Lest we Forget" I wish we get get the same on all the "old" rangers. In the days of Custos magazine this kind of information was hungrily read by all. As a youngster I couldn't wait for Custos.
Nowadays so little information is known on the parks, their people and interesting things - must say that these forums are a goldfield of very welcome chats and sharing of a common love for nature and the parks.

It is clear from your articles in Lest we Forget that a lot of work has gone into each - also your other posts. Thanks for that, its all worthwhile reading

Even in this modern age with all its comms we tend to be so caught up in our own work and lifes that we loose contact with old acquintances and colleagues. That was the idea behind my post - to catch up again with old acquintances and colleagues and to establish a common forum where all could "talk" again.

Look at the Club 20 - how many attended, but also how many didn't. We need to get to those who didn't attend as well. Perhaps Manie Coetzee and Chris van der Linde could help us here.

[Stoffel]

Piet van der Hyde (ex ranger) - his photo can be seen in Rabelais Hut, where photos of all previous rangers of Kingfisherspruit can seen - and later buyer for the park based in Skukuza, is my neighbour here in Kleinmond. In front of his house he still has and old road sign showing "Shingwedzi ¼ Mile".
He also has the skull of the leopard that killed the watchman at Shingwedzi.
However, he did not shoot the leopard - I think Louis Olivier shot it.

I really enjoy listening to Piet's stories about his days in the park.
He has asked me whether I'll be able to assist him to put his memoirs on paper.
But I'm not a writer.

[George M]

Last we heard Kobus and Kobie Kruger were living in the Hoedpruit/Blyde River area after a foray down to the Eastern Cape....

[Pangolin2u]

Thanks for all the PM's from so many people.

Let's update:
Tom Yssel lives in USA persuing a sculpturer career
Sam de Beer has passed away. He was killed by an elephant while helping with research
Dr Salmon Joubert now works in Zimbabwe
Dr Douw Steyn is now in private practice as a wildlife vet
Johan van Graan is at Mooiplaas
Mike English has retired and now lives in Whiteriver. His son Don is still in the Park at Malelane
Lynn van Rooyen is on a game farm in Cullinun

Where is Cleve Cheney and Anthony Hall-Martin?

[Oryx]

Just a small correction Pangolin2u. It was Sam Fourie, not Sam de Beer who was sadly killed by an elephant, but not while helping with research. Johan Oelofse is at Mooiplaas. last I heard Johan van Graan was working on a game farm near Kimberley.

[ndloti]

Steven Witfields (section ranger at Tshokwane) father , the legendary Ted Witfield lives nearby on the edge of the escarpment .

[cptphotographer]

Over the years a few employees of Kruger Park really stand out in my mind as having added value to the whole Kruger experience.
This might sound unfamiliar to some, but a few people (other than my parents) had a profound impact on developing my love for Kruger.
One such person was Mr. James Hart, not sure how many forumites are familiar with him or even recognise his name, but he was camp manager at Satara in the early 90's.
I was studying at the time and made the 4 hour journey to Kruger from Joburg on every available (and sometimes not available) opportunity.
I became friends with Mr. Hart and he always accommodated my requests in managing to find me a spot to pitch my little 2 man tent even though the campsites were technically fully booked.
He incidentally showed me the first zebra I have ever seen with absolutely no striping pattern on its legs.
I have always considered him a special friend and someone I had immense respect for.
Not knowing how to thank him after all these years, this is the best way I can think of.
There are other colorful characters I'll mention later who really stand out.
Anyone else with any similar experiences?

[daniel.koch]

For me personally:

Oom Piet Dup (Piet du Plessis, deputy head tourism)
Nic de Beer
Ampie Espag (ranger)
Bruce Bryden (head ranger)
Ted Whitfield (ranger)
Ryan Ernst (skukuza camp manager)
my mom and dad :-)

cheers!

[Frederik]

Ampie Espach and Bruce Bryden both passed away.
One of the present big tuskers in Kruger was named after Ampie Espach, "Tsotsi".

[louis dreyer]

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.

[ndloti]

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 .

[Joep Stevens]

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