Christened Reneck Ndlovu, better known as ‘Scotch’, has been with Tanda Tula for over 26 years. He is a member of our family who does not really need an introduction: if you have met him you will never forget him and if you have not had the pleasure you may well have heard about this kind, soft natured, skilled and funny gentleman.
Scotch has a unique skill, something that sets him apart, amazing and inspiring his guests and the many people he meets in the Timbavati.
When you set out on a safari with Scotch you may point up to a bird and wonder what it is, quick as a flash he will reply. But, not just with the name of the bird, he will also give you the page number and placement in his bird book for fast and easy reference. This really is an impressive safari party trick and when most people experience this for the first time they are left in complete awe. After that, it becomes a game and his guest will keep testing him, but very seldom does he let them down.
Why does he do this you may wonder? Well, in his early years of tracking, when he was training to become a guide, he noticed how some of his mentors would stop and show the guests the birds in their books. He realised if he wanted to be a really good guide, he needed something that set him apart, instead of wasting time looking for the bird it seemed easier to learn the name, page and reference all at the same time.
Then he saw how much guests loved this special trick and he was really encouraged, so he continued learning more until today where he can do this with over 150 species. A truly remarkable talent that sets him apart when it comes to guiding expertise.
This is not Scotch’s only claim to Fame though. Not only is Scotch a wonderful guide, but he also one of the few qualified Master Trackers in South Africa. He can read and understand the signs of the bush like very few other individuals in the Greater Kruger Park region which makes walking with this knowledgeable and insightful man an absolute pleasure.
Scotch points out that when you walk in the bush you become one with nature, you hear everything and experience things in a heightened state. He is particularly passionate when teaching his guests about the plants and herbs and their medicinal uses, all of which he learnt from his grandmother who was a well-respected sangoma in a nearby community.
Scotch is also incredibly proud of his son, Expect, one of Tanda Tula Foundation‘s scholarship learners, who attends Southern Cross Schools, a private school in Hoedspruit. He acknowledges that here his son can get a number of opportunities that he never had, Expect has learnt to speak English better than anyone else in his family and Scotch is filled with pride. He points out that it never ceases to amaze him when he watches Expect typing away at a computer, a task that would take him hours gets completed in a couple of minutes by Expect. This inspires Scotch and keeps him wanting to better himself.
What a humble approach, to view one’s own children as your motivation. This is very indicative of the kind of man he is, his combined talent and empathy make him a very special member of the Tanda Tula team.
