Reply Mahlakwana comes from HERD’s surrounding community and is one of the newer elephant carers on the team. He spends most of his time at the orphanage, tending to the needs of the orphaned calves and providing a huge amount of kind care to the young elephants.

Reply had his first experience with adult and baby elephants at HERD, which sparked an immense love for these wonderful animals.

Khensani Ngobeni first joined HERD as a trainee carer and has since been promoted to a junior carer. Khensani has a kind personality that genuinely resonates with the young and displaced orphaned elephants that come to HERD.

As a result, Khensani has formed special relationships with young elephants and has shown a tremendous level of care.

With her sharp, intuitive and ingrained compassion, we look forward to watching Khensani’s journey as an elephant carer unfold.

Women in Conservation – Junior Elephant Carer, Khensani Ngobeni!

Stavros Chakoma is a cherished and highly respected member of our HERD and Jabulani Family. Stavros joined Jabulani the day the elephants arrived from Zimbabwe in 2002. He retired in 2021 but continues to return to HERD to help care for the orphan calves and train new carers.

Carer Conversations | Get To Know Elephant Carer, Stavros Chakoma

Herman Khosa has been employed by Jabulani Safari since 2017 [MW1] and has worked with elephants since 2018. Herman began his journey as part of the maintenance team, and during this time, he started a worm farm.

After seeing the exceptional level of care Herman provided to this worm farm, Adine Roode decided to give him the opportunity to work with the elephants as a carer.

Herman has shown exceptional care skills and has become a valued member of the HERD team, providing essential care for the orphaned elephants.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tigere Matipedza began working with elephants at the age of 16 and has gained a wealth of knowledge over the years. Tigere had been working with the original herd of elephants, now known as the Jabulani herd, back in Zimbabwe before the evacuation took place. Having been through so much together and spending so many years together, Tigere has exceptionally close bonds with each elephant.

He officially started working at Jabulani in 2005 once obtaining the necessary visa and permits, joining his colleagues and the herd and meeting young Jabulani for the first time.

Since then, Tigere has shown exceptional leadership skills and an eagerness to learn all there is to know about elephants and share his knowledge with the world. He completed his FGASA level one in field guiding in 2017.

Tigere’s wife and three children live in Zimbabwe, and he returns home to spend time with them when on leave.

Carer Conversations ~ Adine interviews Elephant Manager, Tigere about life, lessons and elephants

Originally from Zimbabwe, Godknows Chivero has worked with elephants since 2003 and has extraordinary knowledge of these great mammals.

Godknows assisted in training the elephant carers at Jabulani Safari in 2003, but unfortunately, due to not having the paperwork to stay, he had to return to Zimbabwe.

Godknows, and his brother Blessmore, were finally able to join the Jabulani team in 2010 after working with elephants in Mozambique and Pilanesberg.

Meet Elephant Carer, Godknows Chivero

Liverson Sande first started working with elephants on a farm in Zimbabwe in 1996. He made the journey with the original herd of Jabulani elephants in 2002 and has been a vital carer of this herd ever since.

Liverson has extensive knowledge of young, orphaned elephant calves and has been deeply involved with HERD since its inception.

Joshua Dube has been working with elephants since 1987 and has played a vital role in the rehabilitation and development of several orphaned calves. His knowledge and passion have been an immense asset both to Jabulani since coming over from Zimbabwe with the elephants in 2002 and to HERD.

Joshua’s son, Emmanual Dube, has followed in his father’s footsteps, joining Jabulani in 2009.

Carer Conversations | With Senior Elephant Carer, Joshua Dube

Owen has been working with elephants since 1999, beginning his career in Victoria Falls, where he met Paul Coetsee, who was Jabulani’s Elephant Manager at the time. Recognising Owen’s talent and potential, Paul kept in contact with Owen.

Owen joined the Jabulani team in 2005 and has been a valued leader within the team ever since.

Carer Conversations | Insights and Stories with Elephant Carer Owen Dube

Shepherd Nkomazana has been working with elephants since 2000 and previously worked in the Pilanesberg National Park for close to ten years before joining Jabulani Safari in 2017.

Shepherd has a world of knowledge on elephants and has been an exceptional addition to the elephant carer team. He lives near the reserve with the family he has built here in South Africa, including his two daughters.

Meet elephant carer, Shepherd Nkomazana

Born in Zimbabwe, Israel Shambira is an experienced elephant carer who has been working with elephants since 1996.

Israel travelled with the original herd of Jabulani elephants from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 2002 and has been with Jabulani Safari since.

Having a keen interest in orphaned wildlife care, Israel has been a huge asset to HERD since its conception, providing much knowledge and guidance to up-and-coming carers.

Much like his father, Joshua Dube, Tichaona Dube’s passion for wildlife has resulted in a career as an elephant carer. Before joining Jabulani Safari in 2005, Tichaona was employed by a game lodge in Zimbabwe. He then joined his father and brother, Emmanual Dube, at Jabulani Safari a few years after the elephants came over from Zimbabwe.

Tichaona is a quick learner with incredible dedication, which has earned him the position as a senior elephant carer.

Last Scholar is originally from Zimbabwe and has been working with elephants since 2005. Last spent four years training, learning about elephant care, and gaining practical experience at Elephants for Africa Forever before joining HERD in 2009.

The experience he has gained over the years has been of huge help to the HERD orphanage, and we’re grateful to have his knowledge and dedication on hand.

Keen elephant enthusiast, Clever Magiriva has been working with elephants since 2004 and first joined HERD in 2013.

He had gained much knowledge on elephants working with a lodge in Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 2006, gaining further experience through working with elephants in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.

Son to Joshua and brother to Tichaona, Emmanuel Dube’s family bonds to elephant care run deep. Emmanuel originates from Zimbabwe and has been working with elephants since he was employed at HERD in 2007.

Emmanuel enjoys living and working with his father and brother and has formed many close bonds with the elephants of the herd.

Blessmore Gwerere has an amazing and personal history with the original Jabulani herd of elephants and travelled with them from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 2002. HERD employed him as an elephant carer from 2002-2004 before leaving to return to Zimbabwe.

Blessmore re-joined HERD in 2010 and has been working with the Jabulani herd and orphaned calves at HERD since.

Carer Conversations | Lessons with Elephant Carer Blessmore Gwerere

With almost two decades of experience under his belt, Joyisa Hando is a valued member of HERD’s carer team. He first began working with elephants in 2003 and has worked with elephants both in Zimbabwe and at a few elephant facilities in South Africa.

Joyisa began working at HERD in 2013 and has since formed wonderful bonds with the elephants of the herd.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Foster has been working with elephants since 2006 and has been employed at HERD since 2010.

Foster gained experience working with elephants both in his home country, Zimbabwe and at a lodge in South Africa before joining HERD. He provides dedicated care to the Jabulani herd of elephants and assists with the orphaned calves too.

Simbarashe Ururi has nurtured a deep love for animals since childhood, so after completing his schooling in his home country of Zimbabwe in 1995, Simbarashe began working with elephants.

Simbarashe accompanied the original Jabulani herd from Zimbabwe to South Africa and has helped to care for orphaned elephants in South Africa ever since.

With a keen interest in medical care and much knowledge gained over the years, part of Simbarashe’s duties includes checking the herd each morning, tending to any minor wounds and keeping a close eye for any medical issues.

Colben Mogakane first joined HERD in 2004 and soon developed an immense passion for elephants. He worked with the Jabulani herd for a year and then spent some time working with elephants in Knysna.

Colben returned to HERD in 2010 and has been an asset to the HERD orphanage, providing superb care to the young, displaced calves.

Carer Conversations | With Elephant Carer, Colben Mogakane

Originally from Zimbabwe, George Zulu joined HERD in 2014 and has since become a highly valued elephant carer, both for the Jabulani herd and the orphaned calves of HERD.

George first began working with elephants in 2006 and gained much experience working with elephants at another lodge in South Africa before joining the Jabulani team.

Adine Roode is the founder of the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD) Trust and MD of JABULANI.

After achieving a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours) in Accountancy at The University of Pretoria, Adine spent much time working at her father’s side in the operational running of the Kapama reserve where HERD and JABULANI is located. She has a natural business acumen and can-do attitude in the face of challenges and the fight and drive required to be successful in running both.

In 2019, following the continual acceptance that the Jabulani elephant herd showed wild elephant calves, Adine gathered a team of experts to build and manage the HERD orphanage with her. Together they set up an advisory group, laying out the principles, objectives, requirements and the way forward to enable her to provide a dedicated space for orphaned elephant calves in need of a unique adoptive family structure, something that is crucial for their wellbeing and survival.

In 2021, Adine took the bold decision to form the HERD Trust, to bring the management of the Jabulani herd, which was previously funded solely by tourism at the lodge, under the same umbrella as the elephant orphanage.

Adine spends as much time on the ground with the elephants as well as overseeing the management and administration of the HERD Trust.

My path to the tourism industry was discovered by pure chance…

I attended Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) – now University of Johannesburg – and was all set to go into the field of Biokinetics. During my years at university, I was beckoned by a friend who needed German-speaking tour guides so, during my vacations, I enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to guide extensive tours through South Africa. These experiences highlighted the remarkable and diverse country that I lived in, and ignited my passion for travel, our beautiful country and, particularly, the wildlife.

After completing my BA HMS (Human Movement Science) in 1988, I took a determined detour, having decided that the only career I wanted to pursue was in the field of tourism. My primary motivator was to contribute in some way towards protecting our biggest asset – our wildlife – for future generations.

I have had the privilege of travelling to many different countries, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, but there is nothing that touches my heart and is as captivating for me as the sights, the sounds and the smells of the African bush . My 30-odd-year journey in tourism has allowed me to engage with so many different people from all over the world, educate them about the wonders of South Africa and led me to work with inspiring individuals and organisations, such as HERD. Pioneers in their protection and preservation efforts of elephants, it is with immense pride to be associated with HERD and have a part to play in fulfilling my original conservation aspirations.

Gert van den Berg is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in the field of estate planning, trusts and the law of succession.

Gert spent a number of years in the office of the Master of the High Court in Bloemfontein and six years with the trust department of a bank. He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1985.

During the past thirty-five years, Gert van den Berg has been in private practice, specialising in every facet of estate planning, trusts law and the law of succession. In December 2000 he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in their estate and trust division. He is co-author together with his previous partner, the late Dr PA Olivier, of the book titled Praktiese Boedelbeplanning as well as co-author of an updated version of the book Trust Law and Practice.

He lectures on trusts, estate planning and administration of estates at various universities and presents seminars on these topics throughout South Africa to various institutions such as the Law Society of Northern Provinces, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) and various Financial Institutions, Trust Companies and Insurance Companies.

Louis Marais is a Chartered Accountant in private practice. He has extensive knowledge in accounting, business and taxation having been in private practice for almost thirty years. He serves as an independent trustee/non-executive director for a select few trusts/ private companies of which the HERD Trust is one.

Although his practice focuses on commercial businesses his love of nature has seen him naturally being drawn to conservation issues. His two biggest concerns in conservation are declining natural habitat and litter pollution in Africa.

Kristin lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her six dogs and two horses, and has been involved with animal advocacy since 2004. Initially she began fostering for a local dog rescue, and eventually she started her own dog rescue non profit in 2014, which aims to save the most in need homeless dogs in Georgia.

She first visited Africa in 2019, and upon returning from that trip, knew she wanted to get involved with something bigger, literally! So she began researching ways to help elephant orphanages, which led her to HERD!

In Kristin’s spare time she is a wildlife photographer, loves to ride her horses, travel, ride her bike, and just spend time with her friends!

Ian has worked across the Hospitality, Travel, Technology and Ecommerce industries throughout his professional career. While working within the Travel Industry, Ian’s passion for wildlife conservation was ignited. Blessed with an opportunity to see the world from an early age, Ian has witnessed both the positive and negative effects the human race has had on wildlife, and that is why he has taken steps to ensure people are aware of the dangers and opportunities we have as humans when it comes to caring for all life on earth. Ian is purpose driven to highlight the impact of conservation, protection, and sustainability efforts taking place around the planet. Ian holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and multiple technology certifications. When he’s not in the office, Ian loves skydiving, Olympic lifting, photography, and furthering the cause of wildlife conservation.

Prof Rob Slotow is an Honorary Professor Genetics, Evolution & Environment Div of Biosciences. While his training and early research was in bird behavioural ecology, in 1997 he shifted to large mammal conservation. Rob has a long-standing research programme in conservation management, with a focus on elephant, rhino, and large carnivores.

He works closely with National Government, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, South African National Parks, Ezemvelo Kwazulu-Natal Wildlife, North West Parks and Tourism Board, and many private landowners, to develop understanding of practical solutions to management challenges for these species.

Professor Ganswindt (PhD, University of Muenster, Germany) joined the University of Pretoria as a postdoctoral fellow in 2006 and is an associate professor and Acting Head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology in the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

He is a behavioural endocrinologist by training and the founder of the Endocrine Research Laboratory at UP. His work combines the disciplines of physiological-endocrine research, behavioural biology, and wildlife ecology to improve the management and welfare of animals in zoological institutions as well as in the wild.

With the Jabulani herd and HERD orphans, Dr Peter Stewart Rogers has been one wildlife veterinarian who has been by our side continuously. With over 30 year’s experience, Dr Rogers is considered one of the most experienced wildlife veterinarians in the world. He specialises in the capture and veterinary care of some of South Africa’s most endangered species, including the southern white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African elephant, cheetah, African wild dog, African Lion, Temminck’s ground pangolin and many other species.

Edward C Webb is professor of Production Animal Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Pretoria. He has published extensively, presented papers at conferences, produced technical reports, co-edited two books, 18 book chapters, and 1 patent. He is a professional Animal Scientist and served as president of SA Society for Animal Science from 2009 to 2014.

Dr Johan Marais, a vet, photographer and founder of Saving the Survivors, a unique team of vets working on the ground in South Africa to treat endangered wildlife that has been attacked and injured by poachers. “I am in love with Africa and its wildlife,” Marais says. “I cannot, and will not, stand by and watch these incredible, iconic animals and our heritage get slaughtered and maimed, for what is basically greed. We will continue to save injured and poached species and create further opportunities to play an active role in the protection of our endangered wildlife, so that our kids may still enjoy seeing species like elephant and rhino roam the vast plains of Africa.”

The Elephant Reintegration Trust has been established by four passionate individuals with the vision & dream of developing an elephant refuge reserve in South Africa which will provide a secure wild environment for retired, commercially used elephants from various captive environments. These elephants will be reintegrated back into the wild where they can live out their remaining years, with dignity, as wild elephants.