Renias and Alex van den Heever helped a game reserve start a leopard habituation project in the Waterberg and here is the MESSAGE FROM A WILDEBEEST. A Tracker Academy project to track, find and form relationships with leopards. For the benefit of ecotourism lodges in the area.
During the day we tracked leopards. In the evenings, we made a fire, braaied our food and chatted freely.
Our conversations spanned several topics, and in his usual manner, Renias introduced humour at every possible juncture. He loves making people laugh! And I thoroughly enjoy the banter.
We spoke in both Shangaan and English.
It struck me that the spirit of our conversations is unique. In stark contrast to the hostile tone of the current national conversation. Especially between people of disparate cultures.
Just before bed, Renias reminded me of lions we’d watched hunting a wildebeest at Londolozi.
We had been talking politics and I sensed he had something important to say.
Whilst sprinting for its life the WILDEBEEST glanced back at the fast-approaching lion – at exactly the wrong moment. Causing the animal to crash into a small tree.
The obstacle gifted the lion the extra split second it needed. Ultimately killing the poor wildebeest.
Although macabre, Renias’s theatrics in acting out the scene was very entertaining. Please watch the video if you haven’t seen it yet.
Metaphorically speaking, Ren wants South Africans to know that we should not look backwards. Otherwise, we will be killed.
It is true that if the wildebeest had not looked back, he may still be alive. But equally, his rear-guard vigilance alerted him to the danger in the first place.
Perhaps he looked backwards once too many times?
But something bothered me about the story’s message. I reflected further and realised that for many people the past still haunts them.
It’s not so easy to just drop emotionally charged memories. Above all, trauma.
Renias’s message is that we should rather focus on the now. Build relationships now. Contribute to the country now. Instead of dwelling on the past or fearing the future.
Easier said than done.
I have noticed a trend where white people avoid talking about the past. And black people (and those affected by apartheid) demonstrate the need to address our common history.
One group feels guilty and/or fears retribution. Whilst the other desires acknowledgement and reparation. Both are expected human responses given the circumstances.
The problem is that no ‘side’ will give an inch. Consequently, attitudes have begun to harden – driving us even further apart.
It may be wise to suggest that we collectively engage with both the past and future. The old adage of ‘the tyranny of OR versus the genius of AND’ comes to mind.
The question is, how?
Renias and I advocate for ordinary people to intentionally form meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
To create interpersonal bonds where logic, empathy and being authentically you, can flourish. As it turns out, these are also the main drivers of high-trust relationships.
As a country, we must focus on the only moment that really matters – now.
Perhaps then we have a chance of survival. A chance to escape the charging lion of the eventual demise of our beautiful country.
What can you do today to improve the state of our relationships then listen to our story and others including the WILDEBEEST?
Read our latest book called Changing a Leopard’s Spots
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Send us your enquiry
Renias and Alex van den Heever helped a game reserve start a leopard habituation project in the Waterberg and here is the MESSAGE FROM A WILDEBEEST. A Tracker Academy project to track, find and form relationships with leopards. For the benefit of ecotourism lodges in the area. During the day we tracked leopards. In the […]
In July 2019, I experienced one of the most significant and yet most daunting MINDSETS of my career as a professional speaker. I had been invited by Discovery Healthcare to present a 3-hour workshop to thirty Neurosurgeons on my research into the Neuroscience of Growth MINDSETS for Leaders. Discovery had requested that I equip the […]
Speakers Inc is available to offer you our South Africa’s Best Speakers as the Inspiring Motivational keynote speaker to open or close your next Johannesburg, Gauteng event or conference. Speakers Inc is a leading South Africa’s Best Speakers Bureau for motivational speakers that delivers keynotes over 3000 times per year. Our South Africa’s Best Speakers are […]
Kirsten Landman Does It, and has completed the Dakar 2023 Malle Moto, coming 2nd in the women’s classification, 12th in Malle Moto and 71st overall! Saudi Arabia (16 January 2023) – Kirsten Landman has completed the Dakar 2023, and she has done it unsupported. We want to take the chance to wish her our congratulations! South […]
While future of optimization has permeated our culture at large, it is Gen Z that has grown up in era when technology has enabled them to optimize everything from their sleep and their workouts to their study habits and even their intellect. Last year, I interviewed executives who work in the vitamin division of a […]
Speakers Inc has partnered with some of our favourite talent in Adding Value, Changing Lives. To bring you a unique opportunity to help reinforce their message and add REAL value to your next conference … without adding a cent to your budget. Day in and day out, we’re being bombarded with bad news and negativity […]
WHEN I FIRST BEGAN STUDYING NUTRITION IN 2009 THERE WAS PRETTY MUCH NO MENTION OF GUT HEALTHY AND HAPPY. Since then a lot has changed and most of us now know that to maintain good health, the gut must properly absorb nutrients and eliminate waste and toxins on a daily basis. So, it’s not so […]
Customer experience can no longer be treated as an afterthought delegated to a single department. It has to be central to the entire organisation as it is a key ingredient to being exceptional: one of the four fundamentals of winning in the new game of business. Business success isn’t only reserved for large corporations with […]
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2024. Designed using Voxel
