Alex Van Den Heever

Alex Van Den Heever spent his formative years growing up on a cattle farm in the Western Cape, a particularly beautiful part of South Africa. After completing a Marketing and Business Management diploma at Damelin College he joined world renowned game lodge Londolozi in 1995 to become a safari guide. By the age of 24 he had already become Head Ranger. In 2002, he took the position of Land Manager and spent 6 years as custodian of the land. During his 13 years at Londolozi he raised money for habitat restoration projects, did marketing presentations and conducted specialised safaris. 
He holds the highest qualification for a guide in the country. Alex has just started a trust called ‘People of the Rare Earth Foundation’ which will raise funds for rural communities living adjacent to wildlife areas in Africa.

Alex Van Den Heever is a down-to-earth and passionate man, who through his love of the bush and the deep bond that formed between him and his tracker Renias, has learnt the true meaning of the power of relationships.

RENIAS MHLONGO

Renias Mhlongo was born on the farm Dudley in the former Eastern Transvaal province of South Africa. The Mhlongo family sustained themselves on the land by growing vegetables, tending cattle and hunting/gathering. Renias is fortunate in that he was one of the last people raised in the original traditions of a Shangaan pastoralist and naturalist. During Apartheid Renias and his family were sent to a designated Black settlement called Dixie. Without any formal education Renias was forced to seek work at Mala Mala Private Game Reserve as a labourer. 
In 1984 he became a tracker at Londolozi – thereby realising his skill as a naturalist. He is one of 16 Senior Trackers in South Africa and his intuitive approach to tracking is uncanny.
Renias has travelled internationally, and in so doing has touched many by the gracious manner with which he teaches people about African landscape, culture and philosophy.

THE RELATIONSHIP

The relationship that developed between Renias and Alex Van Den Heever started when Renias was appointed to Alex as his tracker. Renias passed on his deep knowledge of the African bush and also taught Alex to be fluent in Shangaan, the language of the area. When they went to London together, Alex was able to return the favour by showing Renias the wonders of the Western world. For thirteen years they have conducted safaris with guests all over Africa. From tracking leopards at Londolozi to following bears in California; from the remote African village of Dixie to the Knicker Bocker club in Manhattan these two men have broken through the barriers of their backgrounds and formed a bond which has changed both their lives forever. This is a relationship which is seen by many as a model in a democratic South Africa.