Mount Etjo Rhino Trust
Conservation is at the core of my identity as an artist, hunter, and nature lover. It fuels my passion and commitment to preserving our planet's precious ecosystems. In 2018, I had the honor of founding and hosting the inaugural ECA Award in Charleston, SC, which celebrated the unsung heroes of conservation worldwide. It became evident to me that these extraordinary individuals, driven by an unwavering dedication to saving creatures and their habitats, could have pursued lucrative careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Aerospace, or financial services. However, they chose to follow their deep passion for conservation, giving these endangered species and habitats a fighting chance in our Earth's increasingly human-dominated landscape.
As an artist and conservationist, I deeply connect with these ardent protectors of wild places. Each one of them is unique, and when we established our Wildscapes Foundation (out of necessity for transparent financial practices), I realized that the success of a project depended not only on its merit but also on the individuals behind it. While there is no shortage of important causes and projects in both the humanitarian and wildlife sectors, only a few conservation entrepreneurs possess an unbreakable resolve, a passionate heart, and a profound understanding of the issues that we must sometimes sacrifice the few to save the many. A profound understanding of conservation's impact at the local, regional, national, and global levels is needed to drive real change. Managing the complex web of relationships within their teams, local communities, and governmental bodies demands a nearly 24/7 and 365-day commitment, especially in the ever-changing political climates found in African countries.
I first had the privilege of meeting the late Jan Oelofse and his wife Antje nearly two decades ago at the Safari Club International Show in Las Vegas. Not only did Jan possess a commanding presence reminiscent of a cross between John Wayne and Salvador Dali, but it was his deep passion for the conservation of African wildlife that drew us together. From his days as a game ranger to developing game capture techniques (still referred to as the Oelofse Method today), Jan's journey was one of pioneering efforts in game ranching during the early 1970s. He possessed a profound understanding of both the consumptive and non-consumptive pragmatic approaches to modern-day conservation. Growing up in Namibia and spending his entire life outdoors, he worked as a game trapper for Tanganyika Game Limited, capturing various species of antelope, white and black rhinos, and elephants from around the world. He personally accompanied these animals on their ocean voyages to ensure their safe arrival at international zoos. Jan even trained the animals for the renowned film "Hatari," starring John Wayne, forging a close friendship with the legendary actor and becoming his hunting companion.
During his eight years with the Natal Parks Board, starting in 1964, Jan invented the plastic capture method, known today as the Oelofse Method, which revolutionized large-scale captures. He traveled the world teaching this technique to conservationists. In 1973, he captured animals from South Africa and relocated them to leased farmland in central Namibia. Eventually, he purchased the land and established the Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary and Mount Etjo Safari Lodge by restocking surplus game using his proprietary capture techniques. Later, Jan expanded his conservation efforts by founding Jan Oelofse Hunting Safaris. With nearly 80,000 acres of land, the sanctuary thrived with an impressive array of wildlife, including over 50 white and black rhinos. Successfully integrating hunting and non-hunting tourism, Jan and his wife, Annette, stood out as modern-day conservationists achieving success in both endeavors within a single landscape.
Today, Jan and Annette's son, Alex, an engineer, and skilled pilot, along with his talented wife, Carola, holding a degree in Human Genetics, oversee the operations of the conservancy. Their two young children, Kiera and Jan, already display an innate love for nature. The Oelofse family plays a significant role in Namibia's history, intertwined with its journey towards independence. In 1884, the region was known as German Southwest Africa, which later fell under British Commonwealth South Africa during World War I. South Africa assumed administration of SW Africa (Namibia) in 1920, but in 1966, the South West Peoples Organization initiated guerrilla attacks against the South African Forces, sparking a protracted struggle for independence. In 1989, the joint Commission established by the Brazzaville Protocol held an extraordinary session at Mt Etjo, attended by Angola, Cuba, South Africa, the USA, and the Soviet Union as observers. The "Mount Etjo Declaration" was adopted, recommitting to all aspects of the peace process, and one year later, Sam Nujoma was inaugurated as Namibia's first President. The historic moment of Namibia's declaration of independence was signed in their Lappa, where the Oelofse family, along with their staff at Mountain Etjo Safari Lodge, felt immensely privileged to have played a role and witnessed the birth of a nation at their Lodge.
I have often emphasized that in this critical moment of crisis, we must redouble our support for the areas where we are achieving success, where wildlife populations are increasing. While Mt. Etjo's Okonjati Conservancy has remained untouched by rhino poaching incidents, it is crucial to prepare for the day when poachers may strike. With the generous grant received from the Shikar Safari Club, we hope that day remains distant and that our conservation efforts can continue unabated. I deeply admire those who choose to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness, and the Oelofse family embodies this spirit as they light a candle daily in their quest to protect wild lands and wildlife.
