Alex spent his formative years growing up on a cattle farm in the Western Cape, South Africa. After completing his studies in Marketing and Business Management, he joined Londolozi, the world-renowned game reserve in 1995, as a game ranger. By the age of 24 he had been promoted to Head Ranger, leading a team of 35 rangers and trackers. In 2002, he took the position of Land Manager and spent the next 6 years leading the conservation efforts at Londolozi. During his 13 years at Londolozi, Alex raised money for habitat restoration projects, presented for the marketing team and conducted specialised safaris.
Alex’s greatest fascination during his time in the bush was tracking. To this end, Alex dedicated much of his time to learning the ancient art of tracking eventually qualifying as one of 5 Senior Tracker Evaluators in 2004 – the youngest ever to achieve this feat. During the course of the last decade, Alex’s dedication to tracking has afforded him the opportunity to track jaguars in the Amazon Jungle, bears in California, grizzlies and wolves in Montana and the famous black-mane lions of the Kalahari. All of these adventures were experienced with his long-time friend and mentor, Renias Mhlongo. Alex is the co-founder of Nhlayisa Nutrition Solutions, a company which develops fortified food for rural people. The company now distributes a fortified breakfast cereal to Pick n Pay.
In addition his conservation work, Alex has worked as a facilitator for Vulindlela Transformational Services. Here he led courses aimed at facilitating a better understanding between black and white people working in the corporate world.
Alex is a down-to-earth and passionate man. Through his love of the bush and the deep bond he has formed with Renias Mhlongo, Alex has learnt the true meaning of the Power of Relationships. A few years ago Alex became a motivational speaker in order to tell his story on a wider stage. Alex and Renias have travelled to England, America and Australia giving their inspirational presentation.
Alex van den Heever
Motivational speaker & tracker
Renias Mhlongo was born in a mud hut on a piece of what is today part of the greater Kruger National Park. The Mhlongo family sustained themselves on the land by growing vegetables, tending cattle and hunting and gathering. Renias, almost as soon as he could walk, was sent out to tend the family’s cattle. He is one of the last people to be raised in the original traditions of a Shangaan pastoralist and naturalist.
During Apartheid Renias and his family were sent to a settlement called Dixie designated for black people. Without any formal education, he was forced to seek work at Mala Mala Private Game Reserve as a labourer. In 1984 he became a tracker at Londolozi - thereby putting to use his exceptional skills as a naturalist. Renias has since qualified as one of 16 Senior Trackers in South Africa – the most challenging formal tracker qualification in the world today. His intuition while tracking is uncanny and he played a major role in the habituation of the world-famous leopards of Londolozi.
Renias has conducted tracker training workshops in South Africa, Kenya and America - teaching people the traditional skills of trailing animals. In addition to his extensive experience with African animals he, with Alex, has tracked animals all over the world. Using his tracking skills Renias has also conducted small mammal surveys for various game reserve owners in South Africa.
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. In so doing, Renias has become one of the few rural Shangaan people to become a well known motivational speaker.
Renias Mhlongo
Motivational speaker & tracker
For 16 years, Alex and Renias conducted safaris for some of the world’s most discerning travellers at Londolozi Game Reserve. Renias and Alex are one of only two ranger/ tracker teams in South Africa where both are qualified Senior Trackers. They have conducted guided experiences in many areas of Africa and North America. Alex’s relationship with Renias reached a climax when he attended the rare “Nhluvula” ceremony in Dixie, in 2008.
When they went to London together, Alex was able to return the favour by showing Renias the wonders of the Western world. Until then Renias had never seen a large city, nor flown in an airplane.
Their journey together has taken them from tracking leopards at Londolozi to following grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park, Montana. 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.
Breaking barriers in a fledgling democracy - South Africa
Alex and Renias track elephants
Showing guests two leopards in Londolozi Game Reserve
Alex and Renias observing a lioness while tracking on foot
Renias speaks for the camera during an interview for SABC News