Alex & Renias: Power of Relationships

Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo are globally recognised wildlife trackers and keynote speakers transforming organisations through lessons in trust, diversity, collaboration and high-performance teamwork.

Alex & Renias

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Over 25 years of partnership and wildlife tracking expertise
  • Developed world-class methods for building trust and resilience
  • Keynotes delivered internationally across corporate, nonprofit, and conservation audiences
  • Real-life stories of survival, teamwork, and overcoming cultural divides
  • Advocates for environmental stewardship and cross-cultural understanding

Formats: Keynotes (45–60 min), workshops, conservation storytelling experiences

Audience: Corporate leaders, executive teams, sustainability organisations, diversity and inclusion groups, conferences and leadership development programmes.

Outcomes:
  1. Build trust in diverse and challenging environments
  2. Strengthen teamwork through authentic connection and shared purpose
  3. Apply lessons from the wilderness to leadership and organizational resilience
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (7 reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
  • Travels from: Mbombela

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

Presentation Highlights:

1. Renias saves Alex from Leopard attack
2. Alex visits Renias’s village, Dixie
3. Renias travels to England – his first trip from the bush
4. The poacher.

You will gain the following from the presentation:

  • How to build trust in difficult circumstances
  • How to create an environment conducive to mutual understanding
  • How to get to know your colleague from another culture
  • How strong culture creates big benefits
  • How to leverage the power of language
  • How to realise the power of diversity in the workplace

Alex and Renias tell their story of a path to profound mutual understanding. Their story is a tale of contrasts: white and black; man, and boy; apartheid and unity; third world and first world.

 

Alex uses the real-life story of his life as a game ranger at Londolozi Private Game Reserve and his relationship with tracker Renias Mhlongo to convey transformational wisdom and insights.

 

Alex van den Heever will demonstrate how to break down cultural barriers utterly in the workplace and foster generosity of spirit among people.

 

It is not a methodology they offer but rather an ability to inspire the audience and open their minds to their potential as individuals and as a team.

Talent Short Bio

Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo are internationally acclaimed wildlife trackers whose three-decade partnership has become a powerful model of cross-cultural collaboration, trust and shared purpose. Their journey began in the South African bush, where they honed the rare and ancient skill of tracking—learning to interpret nature with precision, patience and unity. From leopard tracking in the Lowveld to following grizzly bears across Yellowstone National Park, their work spans continents and ecosystems, demonstrating a universal approach to problem-solving and resilience.

Their partnership is remarkable not only for its technical mastery, but for the deep relationship they have built across backgrounds, histories and lived experiences. What began as a working relationship evolved into a lifelong bond grounded in mutual respect and an unwavering commitment to learning from one another. Their story has since become a globally sought-after leadership platform for organisations aiming to deepen trust, strengthen teams and bridge differences.

As keynote speakers, Alex and Renias translate complex field experiences into accessible, actionable insights for corporate audiences. They explore how tracking principles—acute awareness, reading subtle signals, adapting to uncertainty, collaborating under pressure and maintaining shared intent—mirror the challenges faced by leaders and teams.

Embark on an extraordinary journey with Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo as they unravel the profound lessons learned from 25 years of collaboration amidst the world’s most unforgiving terrains. Their keynote presentation, “The Power of Relationships,” is an unparalleled narrative that delves into the intricacies of human connections, mirrored against the backdrop of tracking formidable predators such as lions, leopards, grizzly bears, jaguars, and wolves. Prepare to be captivated by a tale of resilience, trust, and the profound insights gleaned from the wilderness.

Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo are not just collaborators; they are exemplars of the power of synergy and shared vision. With over two decades of partnership, they have honed their expertise in navigating the complexities of wildlife conservation and tracking in some of the world’s harshest environments. Alex, a seasoned wildlife tracker and conservationist, brings to the table a wealth of knowledge garnered from years of hands-on experience in the field. Renias, hailing from the local Shangaan community, infuses their collaboration with invaluable insights rooted in indigenous wisdom and ancestral connection to the land.

Their journey began in the heart of Africa, where they forged an unlikely alliance that transcended cultural barriers and language differences. Together, they embarked on a mission to safeguard endangered species and preserve the delicate balance of ecosystems. Alex van den Heever pioneering work has not only garnered international acclaim but has also inspired a new generation of conservationists to embrace collaboration as the cornerstone of effective wildlife management.

At the heart of Alex van den Heever and Renias’ partnership lies a deep-seated foundation of trust—one that transcends individual differences and fosters a sense of collective purpose. In an era marked by skepticism and division, their story serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the transformative potential of trust in forging meaningful connections and driving collaborative action. Through their shared experiences, they demonstrate that trust is not merely a fleeting sentiment but a tangible force capable of uniting disparate voices in pursuit of a common goal.

By cultivating a culture of trust within organizations and communities, they empower individuals to embrace vulnerability, communicate authentically, and cultivate enduring relationships built on mutual respect and integrity.

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Talent Videos

Alex van den Heever & Renias Mhlongo: The Power of Relationships

Alex van den Heever shares a story with Renias Mhlongo that demonstrates how true relationships are built on generosity and understanding.

This video captures a powerful message from Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo, who have worked together for over 23 years. Alex tells a story of staying at Renias’s home, where he was struck by the depth of hospitality he experienced. Early one morning, Renias and his children arrived with a large zinc bath filled with steaming hot water, along with a container of cold water so he could adjust the temperature. Despite limited means, their generosity and warmth created an experience far richer than any luxury hotel.

Alex reflects that this was the ultimate form of giving because it came from the heart. He and Renias emphasize that lasting, productive relationships are not built on superficial greetings or polite exchanges, but on truly understanding the life stories of others. The message challenges audiences to move beyond formality, to listen deeply, and to connect authentically. Their conclusion: when we cultivate real understanding and respect, we gain the strength to “walk with the lions together.”

Key Moments

00:00–00:20 — Introduction: Alex and Renias, 23 years of collaboration
00:21–01:00 — Story of hospitality: a zinc bath, generosity, and family care
01:01–01:25 — Lesson: true giving beyond material wealth
01:26–01:41 — Closing: relationships thrive through listening and shared understanding

Wildlife tracker Alex van den Heever illustrates how ancient tracking skills reveal practical lessons for leadership, resilience, and organizational success.

In this short demo, Alex van den Heever introduces his unique approach to leadership and success through the art of wildlife tracking. Drawing from years of experience as a professional tracker in the South African wilderness, he explains how the same skills required to track animals—observation, patience, interpretation, and adaptability—are directly transferable to business and leadership contexts.

Alex emphasizes that tracking is not simply about following footprints, but about reading subtle signs, interpreting patterns, and making informed decisions in uncertain environments. These lessons apply equally to organizations navigating complexity and change. His message highlights how ancient knowledge can inspire modern success, encouraging leaders to remain present, attentive, and resilient in pursuit of their goals.

Key Moments

00:00–00:20 — Introduction to tracking and its connection to success
00:21–00:40 — Lessons from the wilderness: observation and interpretation
00:41–01:03 — Applying tracking skills to leadership, resilience, and business growth

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Author Books | Articles

Changing-a-Leopards-Spots

World-renowned wildlife trackers Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo have spent three decades working together, tracking leopards and lions at Londolozi, jaguars in South America and grizzly bears in the United States.

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