Ep 42: Theresa Sowry – SAWC and educating the next generation of conservationists.

Ep 42: Theresa Sowry – SAWC and educating the next generation of conservationists.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Theresa Sowry. Theresa is the CEO of the Southern African Wildlife College, which equips people with the necessary knowledge and applied skills to conserve and protect Africa’s natural resources and biodiversity in viable, inclusive and economically successful ways. Theresa holds a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of the Witswatersrand, South Africa. She gained conservation experience while employed by South African National Parks working on their rare antelope programme in the Kruger National Park. And she is a pilot, flying a Savannah S, Light Sport Aircraft.

In this conversation, we talk about Theresa’s family visits to Kruger National Park in her youth, and how those fostered her love of nature. We talk about her path to working at the Wildlife College, the beauty of the location and people, and the many programmes offered: from field ranger training, the K9 unit, and aerial support to community and youth development, and responsible Resource Management. We talk about the changes that took place because of the rhino poaching crisis, the complexities and nuances of conservation, and Theresa’s love of flying. Such a wonderful, wide-ranging conversation.

LEARN MORE
Instagram: @wildlifecollege
Facebook: @theresa.sowry | @southernafricanwildlifecollege
LinkedIn: @Theresa Sowry | @Southern African Wildlife College

Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Reginah Smith. Reggie is a ranger corporal in Pilanesberg National Park in North West Province, South Africa. She’s an adjutant of the Pilanesberg Rhino Protection Unit, she’s a participating member of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and she is studying law to become an advocate for rangers in the legal system.

In this conversation, we talk about Reggie’s unexpected path into becoming a ranger. We talk about her training at the Southern African Wildlife college by Ruben de Kock and Martin Mthembu, and the confidence and leadership skills they instilled in her. We go into the beauty of Pilanesberg National Park, the height of the rhino poaching crisis, the formation of the Rhino Protection Unit, and how she’s overcome the challenges of leading a ranger unit as a woman. She remembers Anton Mzimba, and we discuss the lessons loss. Reggie has a deep love for family, inspiring the youth, and advocating for her rangers.

LEARN MORE
Website: northwestparks.org.za/
Instagram: @pilanesberg_national_park
Facebook: @visitnwparks | @PilanesbergNationalPark
Twitter: @NWP_HOME | @PilanesbergNP

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Sharon Haussmann. Sharon is the CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation or GKEPF, which was established to assist with protecting wildlife and combatting environmental crime across the region. Over the last four-plus years, Sharon has held multiple Chairperson positions at Balule Nature Reserve. She has strong roots in farming in the Lowveld, and has academic qualifications in engineering and conflict management.

In this conversation, we talk about Sharon’s early upbringing and her path into conservation. We dig into the history of the formation of Balule Nature Reserve. We go into her experience of the early days of the rhino poaching crisis and how it has evolved over time. We dive into the formation of GKEPF and the wide ranging work they are doing to coordinate partners and programs in an effort to protect wildlife. And we even spend time talking about the importance of rangers and our dear friend and fallen ranger, Anton Mzimba. She had some beautiful words to say about his life and memorial service. Throughout this episode, Sharon exudes passion, dedication, and love for the people and the work of conservation.

LEARN MORE
Website: gkepf.org
Instagram: @sharonhaussmann01 | @thegkepf
Facebook: @GKEPFoundation
Twitter: @gkepf
LinkedIn: @Sharon Haussmann | @GKEPF

Ep 31: Leitah Mkhabela – The Black Mambas, and the life of a female anti-poaching ranger.

Ep 31: Leitah Mkhabela – The Black Mambas, and the life of a female anti-poaching ranger.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Leitah Mkhabela. Leitah is a Supervisor and Media Officer for the Black Mambas. Founded in 2013 by Craig Spencer of Transfrontier Africa, the Black Mambas are South Africa’s first all female anti-poaching unit. They operate on the front lines of the Balule coalition of private game reserves on the western border of Kruger National Park. Leitah started her career as a Black Mamba in 2014. In 2020, she received a Ranger of the Year award by The International Paradise Foundation in China.

In this conversation, we talk about Leitah’s blossoming love for wildlife as a teen, her decision to become a ranger for the Black Mambas, and the challenges she faced from society as a woman going into this field. Leitah dives into her growth as a ranger, the dangers rangers face in the field, and the reasons the Black Mambas patrol in the bush unarmed. We go into depth on the role of a ranger, community engagement, and advice for women in conservation. We even talk about our dear friend, Leitah’s cousin, the late Anton Mzimba of the Timbavati—how he motivated Leitah and what it means to pick up the torch and continue his work.

LEARN MORE
Website: transfrontierafrica/the-black-mambas
Instagram: @theblackmambas
Facebook: @blackmambasapu
Twitter: @blackmambasapu
LinkedIn: @Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit

Ep 24: General Johan Jooste – Rhino War: the battle to save Kruger National Park’s rhinos.

Ep 24: General Johan Jooste – Rhino War: the battle to save Kruger National Park’s rhinos.

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In this episode, I’m talking with retired Major General Johan Jooste. General Jooste spent 35 years in the South African National Defence Force as an infantry officer, a war veteran of Southern African campaigns, and finally exiting the military as the Deputy Chief of the Army. His second career was 5 years as the Director of International Business Development for BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa, a South African defence company. The General’s third career started in 2013 and includes the roles of Officer Commanding Special Projects at Kruger, Officer Commanding Special Projects at SANParks, Law Enforcement and Security Program Manager at Peace Parks Foundation, and Law Enforcement and Security Program Manager seconded to the National Department.

In this conversation, we talk about General Jooste’s past experience in the military and how he ended up leading the para-militarization of the ranger corps at Kruger National Park. We dive into the many challenges he faced, his method for securing the park from the outside in, the risks the rangers must take to protect the rhinos from poaching syndicates, and why he decided to write his new book titled, Rhino War. The General wants to make it clear that all of his answers are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the organizations he works for. There are many great stories and lessons in this one, along with the harsh realities of poaching crisis.

LEARN MORE
Rhino War: Buy book on Amazon
Instagram: @sanparks | @krugernationalpark | @peaceparks | @tonyparkauthor
Facebook: @SANParksHonoraryRangers

Ep 23: Paul Thomaz – RHINO MAN: an anthem for the rangers, and a passion for music.

Ep 23: Paul Thomaz – RHINO MAN: an anthem for the rangers, and a passion for music.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Paul Thomaz Lindenberg. Paul is a singer-songwriter who grew up in South Africa during apartheid. He served in the military and became a part of the band, performing for soldiers deployed to the Border War. He eventually made his way to Italy, where his musical career grew. He performed regularly and recorded songs for Polydor Records, some of which are now being re-released through Underflow Records.

This is a very special conversation, because Paul is the father of Matt Lindenberg, my good friend, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Global Conservation Corps. Paul’s newly released song, Rhino Man, was the inspiration for the title of our film and is an ode to the rangers who put their lives on the line to protect the rhinos.

In this chat, we discuss Paul’s early days growing up, his relationship with music, his time in the military, and his desire to see the world. We talk about his musical process, and how he became connected to conservation. We dive into the development of the song Rhino Man, and how that name, along with Matt’s passion for conservation, sparked a movement. Paul even gives us an acoustic taste of Rhino Man at the end of the episode. So make sure to listen to the end, and then go to Spotify or Apple Music to hear the fully produced release.

This episode is dedicated to the late great legend and friend, ranger Anton Mzimba (1980-2022).

LEARN MORE
Listen to RHINO MAN: song.rhinomanthemovie.org
Website: underflowrecords.com/paulthomaz
Instagram: @lindenberg_consulting | @underflowrecords
Facebook: @underflowrecords

Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

Ep 11: Matt Lindenberg – GCC, RHINO MAN, and fighting for the future of conservation.

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In this episode, I’m talking with one of my best friends in the world, Matthew Lindenberg. Matt is the founder and executive director of the Global Conservation Corps and a co-director and producer of RHINO MAN the movie. Early on, Matt studied at the Southern African Wildlife College, where he subsequently worked for six years. During this time, Matt was mentored by Martin Mthembu, one of the finest ranger trainers in the African continent. Matt went on to attain his Masters in Cheetah Conservation from Grand Valley State University. After Martin passed away in 2014, Matt was compelled to continue Martin’s legacy of conservation and he did so by founding GCC and RHINO MAN the movie.

In this conversation, Matt and I dig deep into his early connection to wildlife, his years of moving around South Africa and the US, his struggle for direction during his youth, how he eventually reconnected with his love of nature, and the path down which following this passion took him. We dive into the inspiration for starting the Global Conservation Corps, how RHINO MAN the movie came about, the trials and tribulations we’ve both had while bringing the film to life, and some of the recent challenges since COVID-19 changed the world. There are a ton of amazing stories of overcoming struggle, finding one’s direction, and committing to something bigger than oneself.

LEARN MORE
GCC Website: globalconservationcorps.org
Instagram: @theglobalconservationcorps @matt.lindenberg
Facebook: @globalconservationcorps. @matt.lindenberg.5

Ep 8: Ruben De Kock – A life of training rangers as the frontline of conservation.

Ep 8: Ruben De Kock – A life of training rangers as the frontline of conservation.

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In this episode, I’m talking with my good friend Ruben de Kock. Ruben was first a soldier in the South African Defence Force, where he specialized in training equestrian and motorcycle skills along with weapons handling. When he retired as a Staff Sergeant he began training field rangers for the Bureau of Natural Resources in KwaZulu-Natal. There he met the legendary ranger trainer Martin Mthembu, who soon became Ruben’s best friend and eventually partner in their own business, African Field Ranger Training Services. Together, along with Ruben’s wife Marianne, they trained thousands of rangers across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Later they sold AFRTS to the Southern African Wildlife College, and now Ruben works as the Development Manager at LEAD Ranger. He is also one of the stars of our film RHINO MAN.

In this chat, we take a trip into Ruben’s storied past – plane crashes in the Congo, poacher encounters in the bush. We learn about his time in the military, and when he first trained rangers at Ntinini under conservationist Nick Steele. We dive deep into his relationships with his friend Martin and his wife Marianne, and we explore Ruben’s passion for everything rangers. He has truly dedicated his life to fighting for field rangers, making sure that they get the best skills and support they well deserve. So without further ado, let’s jump into this epic conversation.

LEARN MORE
LEAD Ranger: leadranger.org
Southern African Wildlife College: wildlifecollege.org.za

Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

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On the evening of July 26th, 2022, our dear friend Anton Mzimba was brutally gunned down at his home in front of his family, by what was presumed to have been hitmen from a rhino poaching syndicate. He always said he knew the risks. The risks of being a ranger. The risks of sharing his story. But that doesn’t change the fact that his loss is devastating. He could have done so much more. This podcast episode may be the last interview Anton gave. In it he gives us his life story, his hopes, and his dreams. May your legacy forever live on, my friend. 🦏🙏❤️

In this episode, I’m talking with my good friend, Anton Mzimba. Anton has been a field ranger in South Africa for over 24 years, and he is currently the Head of Security for the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. In 2016, he won Best Field Ranger at the Rhino Conservation Awards. Anton also serves as a technical advisor for the Global Conservation Corps.

In this conversation, we talk about how Anton became a ranger, his days of training rangers at the Southern African Wildlife College, the role of a ranger and how it has changed over the years, the emotional toll of facing armed poachers, and how to navigate family life with a job that takes you away from home for long periods of time. We also dig into potential solutions to poaching, which include working closely with local communities, and we get Anton’s thoughts on the coming release of Rhino Man.

FOLLOW
Website: timbavatiprivatenaturereserve.org
Instagram: @timbavati_pnr
Facebook: @timbavatiprivatenaturereserve