He's a proud ambassador of Pungwe and the Manyeleti!

For Pungwe safari guide Never Mathebula, the day he started working at Pungwe gave him not just a job but a whole new family and a purpose to his life.

The affable 39-year-old had almost lost hope when he got the chance to join the Pungwe team back in 2009 as a tracker. Born and raised in the nearby village of Gothenburg, Never left school in 2002 and did what many local youngsters do when fledging the nest, heading to the bright lights of Johannesburg to find work. 

He didn't find what he was looking for in the concrete jungle and in 2004, disillusioned with city life, he returned home.

"I decided to invest in myself and passed my drivers' test and got my licence and did a tracker's training course at a leading tented safari camp in the Kruger National Park," says Never. "Sadly, I still couldn't find work, so stayed at home, losing hope, for the next two years. In 2006 I went back to Johannesburg and got some work but in 2008 decided I did not like being away from home so came back to Gothenburg, determined to find work as a tracker and pursue my desire to work in the Manyeleti."

Never's father had been working in the reserve since the early 1980s as part of the anti-poaching unit and constantly encouraged his son not to give up hope. "He was my role model, growing up. I learned so much about the bush from him," says a wistful Never. 

"As a young boy I would tend to his livestock and just loved being out in the wilderness, discovering things and learning all I could about the environment we live in here," explains Never. "We Shangaan people have a very close relationship to this area and to the wilderness," he says. "So it's natural for us to feel at home here, close to nature."

His father's support paid off when, in 2009, Never got the chance to become a tracker at Pungwe. "I was so happy on that day and my father was so proud," smiles Never. "I worked hard and soon Pungwe's founder, Loot Schultz, soon gave me the nickname 'Clever Never', which stuck! He insisted that I train to be a guide and that's exactly what I did, passing my guide's exams and joining Isaac Baloyi on the guiding team."

Never loves being in the bush and could never see himself returning to an urban environment. "It's just a wonderful thing for me to be so blessed as to work here, in this beautiful reserve, so close to my home," he says. "I am so proud to be following in my father's footsteps. He passed away in 2018 and every day I am thankful for his wisdom and for all he taught me."

Being a tracker first has made him a better guide, says Never, especially when it comes to his favourite game activity - walking. "I love walking because it's then that I get to teach our guests how amazing it is to be here in the Manyeleti, especially when we get to approach animals like rhino and elephant on foot," he says. 

"Some guests have never walked in the bush before, so it's a privilege to show them the animals, as well as the small things. Tracks, footprints, trees - sharing my knowledge of what my forefathers have shared with us about their medicinal uses. I am proud of my Shangaan heritage and the wisdom my father taught me about what the bush provides for us and I love to share it with them."

Passing on that incredible wealth of knowledge to the young people in his community also motivates Never, who considers himself an ambassador both of Pungwe and of the Manyeleti. 

"The local communities here have a really good relationship with Pungwe and the Manyeleti so it's important for us to share our love of the bush and our understanding of it with them," he says. "They know and appreciate the benefit that tourism brings to this area and how important it is to look after our wildlife and keep them safe from poaching."

What makes Pungwe special for Never? "I love that it's a small, intimate camp that allows us to really share a special safari experience with our guests," he says. "With no fences the wildlife come through the camp and provide amazing experiences. It's like a family here. All of my colleagues are like my family," he explains. "I spend so much of my time here and am very happy here. It's home to me."