Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela! From Rhino Africa

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

What Does Mandela Mean To You?

Trying to write something about Tata Madiba feels a bit like trying to write wedding vows. Or how I imagine it to be. You don’t want to be trite about it. But the pressure somewhat cripples you. So, as often happens with vows, you start off writing about how difficult it was to write…

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a special man, not just to us in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. The world as a whole. He’s a legend and a landmark. A man both grand and humble to whom we owe so much – not just crazy shirts.

Today is his 94th birthday.

In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day to honour his birthday. It was the first time the United Nations had ever designated a day dedicated to a person…

He gave us 67 Years – Give back just 67 Minutes

The objective behind Mandela Day is not only to celebrate the man but also to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better. Mandela gave 67 years of his life to bring change to South Africa’s people – he was devoted to public service, a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected President of South Africa.

Every year on 18 July, individuals and organisations are encouraged to spend only 67 minutes  helping others… Read more here. What are you doing for Mandela Day? Tell us in the comments section below!

A Man of Nature

Madiba’s influence infiltrates every part of the South African nation. Even having moved out of the public eye in old age, he’s still here. In the people, locals and tourists. In the land, urban and rural. In the animals. His decisions, his hope and positivity shows throughout, even in places like the Sabi Sand…

Madiba saw the value in conserving our natural environment. He saw the value in bringing tourism to South Africa. More particularly to us in travel and conservation, he contributed to the way we now experience southern Africa’s game reserves.

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

Along with other visionaries, Mandela had the vision to join the reserves of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique “to establish a single park that links our countries and our peoples. That would be a victory not only for more cohesive management of our region’s ecology, but a concrete symbol of regional unity and a spur to development,” as he said in a speech at the 1998 Kruger National Park Centenary Celebrations.

On 10 November 10, 2000 this vision was realised. The governments of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique signed an agreement putting the project in motion. Many fences between the parks (including the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, Kruger National Park in South Africa, and Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe) have been taken down, letting the animals, inhabitants and visitors move around more freely and in harmony.

DID YOU KNOW: During the National Parks Centenary he stayed at one of our favourite private game reserves, Londolozi, and said this: “There, I saw people of all races living in harmony amid the beauty that mother nature offers. Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country.” Read more about this great occasion here on Londolozi’s Blog.

“The greatest glory in living
lies not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

You are in our hearts Madiba and have changed our lives forever.

Leave your tribute to the great man in the comments sections below.