The tonic of appreciation
In 2020 and 2021 – the years that changed my life – one thing was engrained in me: that was to appreciate what one had. Whether it is a reliable car, great climate, one’s health, a loving partner, or a satisfied customer. When complacency creeps in and appreciation dissipates – you’re treading on thin ice. And if you are self-employed – the customer is everything.
This past weekend, the South African Springboks beat for the fourth consecutive time, our longtime rivals – the All Blacks. Our nation savored every one of the 80 minutes played.
Because it is now Sunday, and yesterday was another great game of South African rugby – the Springbok is the hero of this AHG Monthly. The impala is featured as well on the current print edition of African Hunting Gazette. Both classic, never-to-be-taken-for-granted animals.
This morning, I got an exuberant message and pictures of Jonathan’s impala and gemsbok. He’s a first-timer to Africa, hunted with Kerneels Viljoen (www.mokanesafaris.co.za) and wanted TTS to take care of mounting and sending them home.
Yesterday, good friend Jon Fossel sent me a picture of the lion he’d just hunted with Derick Van Staden (www.derickvanstadensafaris.com) in Zambia. A monster. At 80-plus years old, Jon was probably as excited as he was the first time he came to Africa, decades back. I don’t know, but perhaps that enthusiasm is one of the secrets to living a long life. One thing is for sure, I should have started a logbook of the clients at Afton – who they were, what we chatted about, be it on their way in or on their way home, just having loved the experience this continent gave, or brimming with enthusiasm at the prospect of what lay ahead.
Of course, there are occasional glitches and it’s sad to see disappointment – worse still when it’s my fault. I really feel for visitors to Africa that have a less-than-incredible experience. By and large, when it comes to surpassing expectations, it is a wonderful position to be part of the African safari industry where one meets and engages with clients from all walks of life who are just loving and appreciating what our continent has on offer.
