A Hero Has Fallen!

Today we wake up to the news that NELSON MANDELA has died during the night – at the remarkable age of 95.  Our nation has lost its Father – it’s strong moral compass – an icon of dignity, courage and forgiveness.  Even the morning African skies seem to be in mourning and we are graced with a grey and overcast day here in Johannesburg – even the birds seem sombre!

 As my children stare at disbelief at the TV and we watch tribute after tribute from famous faces around the world, we are reminded of the global impact our MADIBA has made in the world.    

 

Apart from the legacy he has left, it is the man himself that I remember most.  When he was first released from prison in 1990 he always seemed to have a very sombre – but dignified – expression, perhaps overwhelmed with the task of having to take our nation to its next level – an immense undertaking in a land of anger, distrust, resentment and bloodshed and how to bring all it’s people to reconciliation and growth.  He had been in prison for 27 years as a lead campaigner against apartheid – a struggle that he led with courage and discipline.  However, after his release and as he relaxed into his role of being our “Madiba – the father of our Nation” he showed a much more special side in his capacity for forgiveness, humility and compassion.  This is how I remember him, especially when he was surrounded by children. 

 

His face would crinkle up with smiles and such glee that his eyes would almost disappear and he made everyone around him feel special.  Yes – he was an icon, but we loved him for his unique shirts, his own dance style (those arms always had their own agenda and would start pumping as soon as a song he loved came up) and his lovely humour.  He loved his own jokes and would start smiling, with a naughty twinkle in his eye, before he got his jokes out so you always knew what was coming next.  He was such a humble man and was first to acknowledge his own imperfections, and he was ours!  He has been an inspiration to us all. 

 

I recently visited the APARTHEID MUSEUM with my family and spent a few minutes just sitting quietly on a bench surrounded by Madiba’s pictures and videos – feeling such overwhelming respect for this amazing man.  If you are ever in Johannesburg, I implore you to take a turn past this museum – take your time – and absorb the greatness that was Mandela.  www.apartheidmuseum.org.

 

As we remember him at this moment, let it remind us of the qualities we all strive for in our own lives and which he embodied so well.

Hamba Kahle Madiba.    

Welcome to Ratty's Rambles

The inspiration behind my new blog, RATTY’S RAMBLES,  stems from my early school days, Ratty being a nickname that I have never been able to shake off so I am embracing it full steam.  *Ramble… to walk for pleasure, with or without a definite route.

This is my story…

I was fortunate to have grown up in a passionate eco-tourism family in Southern Africa (my father being at the forefront of conservation and luxury private game lodge management) and I spent most of my school holidays in a private game reserve in a very special region of the African bush veld on the border of the Kruger National Park.  I soon grew to love the bush and never missed an opportunity for a game drive, during which I learnt a great deal about what makes Africa so special. 

Later, when I met my husband, David, at the University of Cape Town, and since our union, I have come to love Botswana where he grew up.  Over the years, we have taken our three sons regularly to Selebi Phikwe during their school holidays (David’s parents lived there for over 30 years) and our boys have been brought up playing in the surrounding koppies (small rocky hills), swimming in the Motloutse River and picnicking on its banks.   Other family highlights have included many family game reserve visits where our children have learnt everything there is to know about African wildlife directly from rangers and trackers.  Apart from numerous road trips around Southern Africa, we have also taken longer camping trips up to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Okavango Delta, Savuti, Linyanti and Victoria Falls, but a place special to all our hearts is the Chobe Game Reserve.   Sitting on the banks of the Chobe River, sipping a G&T and reading a book, the boys out on the water fishing with local fishermen – the world seems as it should be, a happier place.

Our family has been fortunate to experience the very best of Africa first-hand and been exposed to an authentic African traditional rituals and customs and knowledge of the bush from Africa’s charismatic people.  Having spent the last 20 years working as an African tour operator, I have further travelled and learnt a great deal more about every aspect of tourism.  So this is my story and the roots of my passion for this great continent - welcome to Ratty's Rambles.