Our perspective isn’t only shaped by what we see. When the world appears quiet, we need only close our eyes to notice what remains. To hear the calls of birds and wind rattling leaves. To absorb the scent of wild sage and baked earth, and to feel warmth on our skin between each gust of breeze.
perspective
volume 6
contents
welcome note
inspiration
sunset drive
blurring the boundaries seeing me in you
experience
zoom out, zoom in
stories in the sky from sasakwa hill
wisdom tune into nature’s frequency on form and function furs for life dawn chorus
welcome
Our perspective isn’t only shaped by what we see.
When the world appears quiet,
we need only close our eyes
to notice what remains.
To hear the calls of birds and wind rattling leaves.
To absorb the scent of wild sage
and baked earth,
and to feel warmth on our skin
between each gust of breeze.
In this volume of the Singita magazine, we reexamine the concept
of perspective as something felt
as much as observed.
We hope you enjoy, The people of Singita
we may feel small
but we belong
inspiration
inspiration
sunset
drive
A drive in the wild,
much like life, is a journey of discovery
inspiration
“At some point, you have to choose one road,” notes Walter Mabilane, my guide at Singita Kruger National Park , as we decide where to next. He has been in the region for 10 years, and I know he knows this landscape like the back of his hand. “Even so,” he says, “Each drive is different. Sometimes, it’s simple, sometimes it’s difficult.” There is wisdom in this beyond the obvious meaning. A drive is a condensed version of life. There are choices to be made, obstacles to overcome, or go around, moments of beauty and
reflection, periods where it’s quiet and when it’s busy. Along the way, we stop to appreciate a scene or watch a bird. Floyd Machaba, our tracker, takes a moment to point out a leopard track in the road. Walter jumps off as something has caught his eye and he wants to show us. He comes back with a tree branch. To some it’s simply an umbrella thorn. Beautiful for sure – a shelter for many animals and birds, food for others. To the Shangaan people, it’s also a remedy and a resource. He tells us it can help
Previous spread The ritual of watching the sunset invites reflection and understanding. Left By looking, listening, touching, we learn about our world, and ourselves.
inspiration
each drive is different
sometimes it’s simple,
sometimes it’s difficult
with headaches, and once you strip the bark and weave it, it makes a strong and useful rope. We move on. And as we near the end of our drive, we stop to enjoy a moment of pause and appreciate the setting sun. The bush is peaceful, but full of the sounds of dusk. The nocturnal birds and animals are stirring. Walter asks, “Do you know why the sun sometimes looks bigger and at other times smaller?” I have wondered this, but had never known the answer. “When it’s setting, and it
drops lower in the sky, there are objects to compare it to – trees on the horizon, maybe mountains or hills. In relation to them, it looks huge. But when it’s high in the sky, it’s alone.” The colours of a sunset, too, he points out, are caused by dust in the near distance, rather than anything in the sky at that elevation. As it darkens fully, we drive on, home to the lodge. And I’m left with the thought that with context, all things have more meaning and value.
Right Under the surface of everything lies something of value.
eyes
trace
shapes,
and then comes feeling
inspiration
blurring
the boundaries
Lebombo has evolved and adapted,
now merging more fully than ever
with its surroundings
inspiration
Watching a katydid sit, almost completely camouflaged, on a leaf on the edge of the deck at Lebombo, I’m struck again by nature’s limitless ability to inspire; its power to teach, provide, and sustain; its capacity to adapt, evolve, and endure. Reverence for what nature gives us, without asking for anything in return, is woven throughout Lebombo. The lodge is and always has been open to the elements – with no divisions between inside and out, its surroundings merge into each of its spaces. These spaces are built around and in harmony with the landscape. Rainbow skinks sun themselves on the wooden walkways that
wind through the trees, birds and antelope come comfortably close to the structures, wide windows frame the wild both above and below. It is part of the landscape, and like the landscape, it must evolve. Lebombo has moved into a new season. One that mirrors nature’s own rhythm. As time goes on, things change out of necessity, but also, in pursuit of improvement. Lebombo’s latest incarnation is just that, a nod to the need to adapt. Its updated spaces integrate nature even more fully and elevate it to its rightful stature – at the centre. The Conservation Lounge and Gallery of Treasures form the physical and symbolic heart of the lodge. In this space, precious items and artefacts
Previous spread Warm tones of earth, bark and bush dissolve walls and invite nature in. Left Embraced by glass and air, you become one with the surroundings.
At Lebombo’s heart, a space where creativity and conservation meet.
inspiration
nature isn’t a backdrop,
it’s the centre
collected in the wild live alongside art by a collective of South African creatives. Art celebrating nature, nature as art. To reflect this deepening expression of nature through design, the surroundings have been invited even further in. Lebombo’s formerly grey palette has become shades of brown and cream. You can see the soft hide of a waterbuck in the latte and linen textures. The warm tan and delicate stripes of the resident nyala who browse just below the deck of the Long Bar in the veining of the marble at its centre. The combretum pods and euphorbia lend their shape to carved vessels and patterns on textiles. Outside in.
The architecture has been fine-tuned to enhance the experience of being here – and while largely unseen, these changes offer comfort to the senses, and an even softer immersion into your surroundings. The stillness and calm of altitude punctuate the air. Every aspect of Lebombo’s design is made to help you unravel, to slow, to yield. Back out in the wild, your guides will encourage you to look, touch, smell, and even taste what’s around you. Engage. Wild herbs, wildlife tracks, bird calls, fireflies. There is no end to the ways this place embraces you as part of it – if you allow yourself to give in fully.
Right Reflective of purpose, the spaces here speak to the wilderness beyond.
nature
is the highest form
of art
inspiration
seeing me
in you
Across Africa, totems are sacred symbols of identity and belonging
profound ties between humans
and the natural and spiritual worlds
inspiration
“The first time I stood before a buffalo in Chobe National Park, time slowed. There it was: my totem. No longer a story told in childhood, but flesh and breath and presence. In that moment, I felt curiosity and excitement but, more than anything, recognition. It was as though the land was introducing me to myself.” Lesego Selao, of Elela, is a member of the Molete clan from Gabane, a village near Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. Her totem is the buffalo. “I was raised with a deep respect for lineage, the land, and one’s totem,” she says. “On my father’s side, my lineage traces back to Plumtree in Zimbabwe. Its totem is the heart. In this clan, women are revered and affectionately called Mma Moyo (Mother Heart), or Mma Ndlovhu (Mother Elephant). So, I have both the buffalo and elephant totems.” Across African cultures, kinship is established through blood and totem. Blood binds families. Totems unite clans and tribes, denoting lineage
and belonging. “They’re a means for people to identify themselves,” Lesego says. “My journey into the wilderness was never accidental; it has always felt ancestral.” Totems take many forms: animals, plants, celestial bodies, or even parts of the human anatomy. Regardless of nationality, language, or culture, those who share a totem regard one another as relatives. “When I travel, if I meet someone with the same totem, it becomes an immediate bridge between us,” she says. Rooted in the belief that humans share a spiritual connection with the natural world and their ancestors, totems are passed down through generations, shaping how people relate both to one another and to their environment. “I have a responsibility to protect the buffalo,” Lesego says. It is sacred to her and her clan. “I can’t eat it, harm it, or even disturb anything that belongs to it, like the veld. In that way, having a totem prompts us to be conservationists.”
Previous spread In the Delta, every body of water reflects the sky, and everything we see reflects something in us. Left Buffaloes represent strength, unity, and protection.
inspiration
This responsibility also reflects a deep, intuitive respect for nature. “Totems influence marital practices and, some say, our characteristics, but they even extend to our dietary codes. People whose totem is a lion may be more inclined to eat meat. But if your totem is an herbivore, you might lean towards a more plant-based diet.” Each totem is a bond that fosters respect and serves as a quiet guide for living in harmony with the natural world. “They bring you back to the understanding that nature is much bigger than any one of us.” Leopards and impalas, zebras, hippopotamuses, baboons; eagles, vultures, and chickens; wild olive trees, mopanes, acacias, and sorghum; the sun, moon, and stars; rain, earth, wind – and even the heart – these are just some of the totems found across Botswana. Together, they reflect a deep cultural commitment to honouring nature and heritage. In many ways, they model shared custodianship, rooted in identity. Totem-holders tend to their
respective thread of the ecosystem, viewing nature not as a singular, overwhelming system, but as a network of relationships – each nurtured with care. When conservation feels overwhelming, this perspective offers a different path: care for what you know, what you belong to, what connects you to the world around you, what you see yourself in. There is no single solution, rather many small, intentional acts of stewardship, each grounded in belonging and deeply rooted in culture. “My Batswana and Zimbabwean ancestry feel like a sacred alignment with the very landscapes I have been privileged to serve within. Each totem adds a layer of care.” A totem cannot be chosen, changed, or acquired. “It is fixed for life,” Lesego says. But that doesn’t mean we can’t care for the elements of nature that call to us. Perhaps what we need most is connection – something more personal, and therefore enduring.
Right To care for one part of nature is to begin caring for it all.
experience
experience
experience
zoom out
zoom in
It’s easy to forget,
when looking at the majesty of Rwanda’s mountains,
how many essential moving parts, both big and small,
make up their magnificence
41
experience
The first words that come to mind when looking up at the Virunga Mountains – a chain of eight volcanoes that form part of the border between northern Rwanda, southwestern Uganda, and eastern DRC – are largely to do with their scale and presence. Cinematic, imposing, ancient. Three of these volcanoes are visible from Kwitonda and Kataza House : Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura. An immeasurably biodiverse ecosystem, made up of different zones, Volcanoes National Park shares this mountain range with Virunga National Park – the oldest national park in Africa. Roughly half the world’s mountain gorilla
population lives here. These gentle giants form the centre point around which ecotourism has blossomed and have inspired a conservation renaissance. But when you start to look a little closer, and deeper into its borders, you will see that it’s not merely gorillas, or the bamboo thickets they inhabit, that define Volcanoes National Park. Within its boundaries – and just outside – are cultivated areas, which gradually turn into Neoboutonia forest, and then, at 2500 to 3200 metres above sea level, transform into a lush bamboo forest zone. After this comes the Hagenia-Hypericum forest and, finally, Afroalpine
Previous spread Majestic from afar, delicate up close, the species of Volcanoes National Park form a complex interconnected web. Left Community land meets park borders, and then forest to form a patchwork of habitats.
experience
a living presence
unfolding in front of our eyes
shrubland and moorland at around 4000 metres. An equally diverse variety of life spans these habitats: buffaloes, bushpigs, and black-fronted duikers; forest elephants and golden monkeys; around 200 bird species, including 17 Albertine Rift endemics; and so much more. If you’re lucky, you might see a flash of glossy, red-tipped purple wings – a bolt of colour that is the Rwenzori turaco. Not only is the park home to incredible biodiversity, but the preservation of this life and the research it supports, in turn, supports local livelihoods through the vocation of conservation – an ecosystem in and of itself.
The communities that border the park live just a few metres from its edge, tending crops and cattle on the land they depend on. Beside them lies another, wilder world. These two worlds do and must exist in parallel. To understand conservation is to hold both perspectives at once: the vast, long view of protecting nature into the future, and the quiet attention to its smallest details – the moss clinging to stone, a bird moving through bamboo. When we truly look, what once felt distant comes into focus, and the forest is no longer an idea beyond us, but a living presence unfolding in front of our eyes.
Right Multiple microclimates foster layers upon layers of life forms.
a landscape shaped
by silence
and scale
experience
stories
in the sky
We have always looked upward,
into the vast, uncertain sky, and wondered.
From this wondering came stories,
shaped by what we saw,
what we believed, and what we needed to understand
These stories differ across cultures and generations,
evolving as they are told They aren’t an exact art or science, but an enduring belief that gathers new meaning with each voice that carries them forward
Only a relative few can speak to some of the star lore of Southern and East Africa
These stories endure only as long as they are shared...
experience
BELLATRIX
BETELGEUSE
MINTAKA
RIGEL
LUNA
SAIPH
Swahili
SIRIUS
The Great Guardian
in the Sky
Long ago, the ancestors saw that the Serengeti was a hard place to survive. The nights were pitch black, and people needed a guide who would never die. So, they took the greatest protector ever to walk the plains and placed him high in the night sky. They made him the watcher to help everyone find their way when the world goes dark. Most people look up and see the constellation Orion, but here, he is Mlinzi, the Guardian. To shape this Guardian in the stars, the ancestors used the brightest points in the night. Two stars form his shoulders: Betelgeuse and Bellatrix. Below them, they placed his belt of three bright stars. The far right one is Mintaka. This star is the most important for anyone lost in the dark because it sits exactly on the celestial equator. It rises in true East and sets in true West, no matter where you are on the plains. It is a natural compass that never fails. Down at his feet are the stars Saiph and Rigel. Together, they create the shape of the man who
watches over us all. They gave Mlinzi a pouch to hang from his belt that holds the dust of life. This pouch is the clock for the entire Serengeti. When Mlinzi stands tall in the night sky, that dust falls as morning dew to feed the grass and keep the plains green. But when the long dry season comes, Mlinzi gets tired and hides behind the sun to rest. Without him, the dew stops, and the plains turn dry. This is when and why the Great Migration begins. The herds are forced to march in search of water because their Guardian has gone to sleep. The stars and the migration move together. Mlinzi is also a survival map. If you follow the line of his belt straight down toward the Southeast, it points directly to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. The ancestors called it Moto Mkubwa, the Great Campfire. And always, this fire leads you to the comfort of a direction you’ll always know.
Tsonga
The Phases
of the Moon
The sun and moon are locked in a perpetual race to light the sky. The sun is constant – bright and all-encompassing. The moon, however, has phases. When it’s new, it’s feeble, like a newborn baby, and its light pales in comparison. But the moon is a fighter. Its light grows stronger with each passing night. And when it’s full, even the Sun must reckon with it. Then its light wanes once more, and the cycle continues. But no light is ever wasted. The day of the new moon is a shimusi, a day of rest. No one tends to their crops on this day, lest
they face the wrath of violent winds and hail. The first in each village to glimpse the moon calls out, and dancers rejoice in the knowledge that it will soon be full again. As word snakes across the land, it rises in chants and song. If the crescent’s horns face the Earth, it’s a sign the month’s dangers have been poured out. The celebrations that follow are filled with a great lightness of heart. – Venus Rising, South African Astronomical Beliefs, Customs and Observations
– David Israel, Singita Grumeti
experience
GACRUX
IMAI
MIMOSA
ACRUX
FOMALHAUT
HADAR
RIGIL KENTAURUS
Tswana
What the Giraffes
Teaches Us
The sky is a dome of solid stone resting on the Earth. The sun and moon move across its surface. Beyond it dwells Modimo, the creator of all things and the moulder of destiny. The sun is also an eye that watches us. It knows that we humans cannot labour without end, so it turns its gaze away at night, and the Earth falls into darkness. This, the story goes, is when unsavoury deeds are done. But it’s also when we gather to marvel at the many holes in this great dome, through which light shines to guide us. These are stars, or badimo – the spirits of ancestors from far antiquity who guide and protect us, and mediate our relations with Modimo. Those that shine brightest are said to have been important when they roamed the Earth. Each holds a story, a sign, a lesson. When we gather under the great, wide sky of Ngamiland, the shimmering waters of the
Okavango Delta around us, and only the warmth of a fire to draw us close, we see it clearly. A cluster of six stars in the southern sky. Some know them as the Southern Cross and Pointers, but here, they are Dithutlwa, the giraffes. A mother and her young walking slowly across the night. Always together. Moving as one. “You see those stars?” the elders ask each generation in turn. “How they are always together?” And we nod, absorbed by the orange glow that illuminates their face and hands. “They remind us to stay together, and to remember where we come from. Not to pull away from our own, or rush to arrive wherever we are going. But to keep our eyes fixed ahead – looking far, like the giraffe – and take our time. Always remaining close.”
Shona
The Sweetheart Star
To some, it’s the lonely star of autumn. To others, Fomalhaut. Here, it is Ndemara – the sweetheart star. In the southern sky, few others surround it, at least that we can see. Alone in a stretch of impenetrable darkness, it shines brightly enough to remind us. In the summer months, Ndemara sets late. When it appears, it’s time for secret lovers to part – to return home before their absence is discovered.
The night sky and romance are timeless companions. There is romance in it, around it, beneath it, because of it. But do not be caught with your lover after Ndemara rises. Let the spell of the cosmos linger. Return to your lover tomorrow. Gaze upward, then at each other, and know that some things belong only to you, if only for a moment.
– Nthopang Xani, Singita Okavango Delta
– Chantelle Rode, Singita Sabi Sand
experience
from
sasakwa hill
Our three homes in the Serengeti
each occupy a different position
in relation to the plains,
offering a unique perspective
and experience
experience
Africa is vast – the experience of it shifting in relation to where you are. Each geographic location is unique not only in longitude and latitude, but in culture, landscape, and through these things, perspective. Our homes and lodges reflect this diversity. Each has a personality all its own – an identity tied to its setting, defined by its people, and energised by its occupants. A living, breathing embodiment of life in this place, at this time. While they differ in appearance, atmosphere, and experience, our Tanzanian homes share an indefinable sense of freedom and space that only the Serengeti offers – a feeling that you are experiencing nature at its most immediate.
Held within: Shaded by trees, cradled by sun-baked walls, and softened by dappled light, Kilima is our truest expression of African warmth. A balance of solid stone and soft fabric, envelopment and space, comfort and adventure. Here you are held close by your surroundings – safe and serene – with a vantage point framed by foliage and softened at the edges. Lizards sit quietly on a wall, and birds bustle in the canopy of acacia above you, enjoying the shelter. The world feels wide, but all that matters is close.
Resting on: Sitting quietly on the slope of the hill, as it opens out onto the plains, Serengeti House encapsulates both the essence and appearance of the Serengeti. Layered shades of blonde and beige mirror the surrounding grasses. Level with the scenery and movement beyond, here you are part of the landscape. Indoors flow outwards, merging quietly with the wild. The monkeys bound around the veranda, perching first on the edge of a sun lounger, then on the back of a chair. Impalas slowly graze at the edges of the lawn, where grass gradually dissolves its edges into the plains. Peace is all around you.
Soaring above: There’s a sense of openness at Milele, felt in every space. Vibrant and bold, it comes alive in shifting light, overlooking the vastness beyond with energy and exhilaration. Views boundless and felt, the Serengeti spreads out all around you, sweeping in every direction, from east to west – sunrise on one side, sunset on the other. Below you, giraffes, tiny from here, move languidly across the landscape. A celebration of space, and a joyful expression of place. Birds soar, the breeze blows, unencumbered by any obstacles. This is freedom.
wisdom
wisdom
tune into
nature’s
frequency
Part adaptation,
part emotional advantage, humans’ ability to see more shades of green
than any other colour is one of the many ways
nature shows her wisdom
forest
moss
pistachio
celadon
peridot
lime
grass
sage
mint
emerald
olive
jade
teal
apple
viridian
avocado
These are just a few shades of green – a drop in the ocean, so to speak, of the millions that exist. High concentrations of chlorophyll in foliage make green the dominant colour in the world (on land). Estimates range from hundreds to potentially millions of variations. The countless tints of green in existence highlight the extent to which the human eye can detect nuances. The reason behind this phenomenon is complex but can be explained. Science tells us that the colour’s prevalence in nature prompted the evolutionary need to be able to spot food and predators in foliage, and as such, we have a biological sensitivity to its wavelength. The magic is that being able to see so many shades also elevates our mental state and general sense of well-being.
Seeing green for survival Our ancestors – both human and, before them, primate – lived in dense, green habitats. Here, over many years, they developed a fine-tuned ability to distinguish between different tones of green. This was a necessary adaptation for survival. Being able to differentiate between slight nuances in colour helped them find ripe food, spot predators hiding in the foliage, and identify toxic plants, thus giving them an evolutionary advantage in a challenging environment.
The eye’s ideal state The biology of our vision itself has evolved to facilitate this superpower. Human vision is particularly sensitive to green wavelengths, which fall in the middle of our visual spectrum, within the 495–570 nanometre range (a nanometre is one thousand-millionth of a metre). This makes these tones easier to process and allows us to see them most easily, in their myriad variations. So, even now that we aren’t primarily inhabiting a forest, jungle, or savanna, the eye is geared towards green.
From survival to a source of solace Not only are our eyes evolved to see it most easily, but the act of simply resting them on green spaces also eases our mental and emotional state. Looking out onto a field, across a plain after the rainy season, or up into the canopy of a rainforest causes less strain than focusing them on other shades. What began as an evolutionary advantage has remained part of our DNA, allowing us to find sanctuary not just in wilderness areas, but any green space in close reach. Step outside, look around, up, and down, and rest your eyes.
the colour of nature’s
eternal life force
wisdom
on form
and function
What we value in nature,
and when, is shaped by our place within it
wisdom
A good year is one of plentiful rain, which nourishes the great community of life from its earthly foundation. As the land turns from gold to vibrant green, new existence comes into view. The emergence of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) in spring is seen by the Tsonga and Shangaan people of southern Africa as a good omen. Here, they are a necessity for daily life; but to many around the world, it’s their beauty that stands out. The more we understand them, the more clearly we see that their function and form are just different ways of recognising the same importance. Mopane caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina) are an important food source amongst the indigenous peoples of South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Incredibly rich in protein, they’re typically par- cooked and dried for preservation, and brought to life in times of need and celebration by
cooking them with spices and other aromatics; grinding them into a fine powder and mixing them with maize into a porridge; or rehydrating and snacking on them directly. Gathered and sold in local markets, they’re also a means for people to build livelihoods and educate their children – both a sign of a healthy ecosystem and socio-economic well-being amongst communities that live in relationship with Africa’s wild spaces. Plump and vibrant when alive, mopane caterpillars are a smattering of colours and features. Their segmented bodies move gently, like tiny beads strung together, and fine hairs brush the air as they inch along, a defence against predators. Small and humble in size at the start of their lives, they eventually metamorphose into the magnificent Mopane emperor moth, whose dusty reddish-brown wings echo the sandstone canvases of ancient rock art. Two striking yellow spots, like eyes, on their wings make them unforgettable.
Previous spread From birth to death, life continually evolves – both in function and in form. Left Size has no bearing on importance or impact.
wisdom
a flutter of wings,
a season of abundance
“It isn’t common for indigenous peoples to seek out butterflies or moths simply to admire them,” says Alweet Hlungwani, a Field Guide at Singita Sabi Sand. “One day, I believe our children will see a moth not only as a source of food or income, but also as an object of beauty. Something to be admired. Something that brings them pleasure.” Maphaphatani is the Tsonga term for butterflies and moths, for Lepidoptera. There are over 10,000 species of this order across Southern Africa, each carrying eye-catching or camouflaging colours and patterns on wings which vary in shape and size. They emerge from the cocooned stillness of winter each spring, filling the landscape with brightness and energy. Like flying flowers and leaves, they draw the eye – and the admiration of many who cross their path. There’s an innocent wonder in humans’ collective appreciation for these winged creatures, and yet they aren’t always seen beyond their visage.
Maphaphatani are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Even the slightest shift in soil condition or temperature can alter their behaviour. Monitoring them paints a picture of the well-being of entire ecosystems. The more butterflies and moths one sees, the healthier it is – they help sustain it through pollination. Butterflies travel extremely long distances, covering a huge variety of plants and flowers each day. Through this, they introduce genetic diversity to the landscape, helping plants develop greater disease resistance. Moths, on the other hand, pollinate at night, facilitating the continuation of nocturnal plant species. Without each, the food chain would collapse. They’re sustenance for so many other species. And as global bee populations decrease, both are proving ever more vital to the ecosystem. The more we understand that perspective is what defines value, the clearer it becomes that beauty and function can be equally important at different times.
Right Nature isn’t beautiful for us, yet we are still given its beauty to enjoy.
the wild speaks without words
in patterns
for those with eyes to see
wisdom
furs
for life
Panthera’s quest to preserve cultures and wildlife populations in unison
wisdom
The strength of the leopard In many African cultures, leopards are enduring symbols of power. Their fur has traditionally been worn by warriors, chiefs, and kings during cultural and religious ceremonies to signal status and strength. Although this practice is rooted in reverence for these creatures, it has also contributed to their dwindling numbers – especially in South Africa. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, a few hundred kilometres south of the Kruger National Park, members of the Nazareth Baptist eBuhleni, or Shembe Church, traditionally wear leopard skin shoulder capes called amambatha in the Mgidi , a ceremony of deep spiritual significance. Just over a decade ago, an estimated 800–1200 leopards would be needed each year to meet this demand, and over 15,000 real shoulder garments were in circulation. Given the obvious conflict between the illegality of poaching and the important cultural significance of such deeply rooted traditions, ceremonies like the Mgidi present complex challenges – ones that Panthera recognised as critical to address.
Two truths at once Their golden coats, dotted with rosettes, blend into the dappled light of tree canopies. Here, they lie in wait, green eyes filled with alertness and curiosity – resting in the heat of the day, scanning the savanna for prey, or feeding away from rivals’ hungry gaze. Leopards are even more magnificent to behold than they are difficult to spot. Revered for their strength, stealth, and agility, they are among the most sought-after sightings in Africa, and among its most mesmerising. But despite their status as icons and apexes, they remain among the most persecuted of the continent’s big cats. Once widespread across Africa, leopards are now considered a vulnerable species. They’ve disappeared from around two-thirds of their natural habitat in South Africa alone over the last few decades – a decline driven largely by habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and, most significantly, the illegal fur trade.
Previous spread Ever elusive, leopards reveal themselves only to patience and respect. Left These big cats show that there is strength in silence and beauty where we least expect it.
wisdom
Balancing customs and conservation In 2013, Panthera launched the Furs for Life project. Through this initiative, it produces high- quality, affordable faux leopard furs – known as Heritage Furs – that honour the Shembe’s traditions while presenting an alternative to the use of real fur. To make them, authentic leopard furs were photographed and digitised to replicate their distinctive patterns, then recreated using materials designed to both look and feel natural. Genuine leopard furs typically only last a decade, which also contributes to poaching remaining a continuing concern. By contrast, Heritage Furs are far more durable, particularly when subjected to rain, making them a highly sustainable alternative. Not only do they help save the lives of countless leopards each year, but they also create jobs and a reliable source of income for tailors and seamstresses across the region, who craft Heritage Furs and sell them at ceremonial gatherings.
A pan-African roadmap Support from Shembe leaders is critical.
Through their recognition of the consequences that leopard depopulation poses, Heritage Furs have continued to gain traction amongst the church’s members. To date, over 18,500 furs have been distributed to them, cutting real-fur demand by roughly 50%. Following the success of Furs for Life, Panthera partnered with the Barotse Royal Establishment of the Lozi people in 2019 to launch Furs for Life in Zambia, an expansion of the initiative. So far, 1350 of Heritage Furs have been distributed here with latest survey showing that over 80% of followers used the Heritage Furs in the last ceremony. Projects like these show that protecting wildlife doesn’t have to come at the cost of culture, but can evolve alongside it, sustaining both for generations to come. They are a reminder that creativity and community engagement are not just complementary to conservation. They’re essential to its success.
Previous spread Across Africa, cultures are increasingly recognising the importance of protecting leopards. Right Nature rests in a delicate balance that we have the power to preserve.
wisdom
dawn
chorus
When you can’t see it,
the wild is an exercise
in imagination
wisdom
Blurry-eyed, you stumble along a wooden walkway to the place you agreed to gather. The biting cold is a stark contrast to your bed’s embrace. Beside you is your porter, asking quiet questions you barely register. Quick flashes of his torch illuminate the bushes around you, and you remember where you are. You thank him as you reach the firepit in the main lodge. You’re the first here, eager to meet the day. The flickering warmth clears the mist that clouds your mind, and smoke stings your eyes into focus. Where yesterday there was a
view over the river, now there is only a wall of darkness. Above you, stars glisten in their eternal mystery. The throaty crescendo of a lone spurfowl reverberates through the air. You rush to the edge of the deck, as if you might see it. Now that you’re listening, you notice the steady hum of cicadas. The spurfowl calls out again. Soon, a different bird signals the oncoming dawn. Then another, moments later. Before long, you’re listening to a chorus of chirps, clicks, and trills. For a while, you can’t tell them apart until
Previous spread Sunlight, steam, and smoke meet to mark the morning. Left The closer you look, the more you see the Earth itself is breathing.
wisdom
the day begins in darkness –
before revealing a world
that was always there
a hollow, rumbling coo rings out, echoing in the morning’s breath, lingering in your ears. Rrr-Roo . Rrr-Roo . You think to ask your guide what it was. By now, the sky has lifted to a deep indigo, and you can just make out the tops of the trees on that distant ridge. One looks like a leopard about to pounce from a rock. One looks like nothing at all. Each is a doorway to the life that fills this land from soil to sky. The smell of coffee and earth meets in each breath. Voices chatter behind you, but your gaze remains fixed ahead. You wonder what’s out there,
what you’ll see. By now, the stars have been swallowed by the slow approach of dawn. In the first light, you notice circles rippling across the river’s surface. On its banks, leaves stir and forms emerge. Spoor hints at nighttime activity you try to picture. Colours come into focus, revealing a landscape where there was none before. And then, you’re called to the vehicle to set out in search of answers to the questions that have rushed through your mind, knowing well you won’t find them all.
Right Cold hands wrap around warm mugs, and curiosity stirs.
“to travel is to see”
“go tsamaya ke go bona”
TSWANA PROVERB
With thanks to our collaborators Alweet Hlungwani, Brian Rode, Chantelle Rode, David Israel, Floyd Machaba, Edward Kaaya, Emma Jackson, Japhet Roberts, Jessica Robertson, Julia Freemantle, Katerina Sonntagova, Lesego Selao, Lindsay Couper, Michael Schapiro, Nthopang Xani, Ross Couper, Tamlyn Anthony, Tara Shupe, Walter Mabilane, and LOOKBOOK Studio.
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