For millennia, tracking has been woven into the fabric of African life. What began as a crucial survival skill – enabling communities to find food and navigate vast landscapes – has evolved into a sophisticated craft that now stands at the intersection of eco-tourism, conservation, and wildlife protection.
At Londolozi, this ancient practice isn’t just preserved – it’s revolutionized daily. As founding partners of the Tracker Academy, we’ve witnessed tracking’s power to transform both lives and landscapes. In 2024, we marked a historic milestone with the appointment of Tsundzukani Whati, not only Londolozi’s first female tracker but a pioneer in the industry.
Challenging Traditions, Creating Opportunities
Traditional tracking isn’t about physical prowess – it’s about perception, patience, and precision. Alex van den Heever, Tracker Academy co-founder, shares:
“We’ve consistently seen that tracking excellence knows no gender. Our female students regularly rank in the top 10% of their classes, bringing exceptional attention to detail that’s crucial for success in the field. Tsundzukani Whati exemplifies this excellence, thriving in her groundbreaking role at Londolozi.”
Pioneering Change: The Ladies-Only Lodge Tracker Programme
Building on this momentum, January 2025 marks another milestone – the launch of Tracker Academy’s Ladies-Only Lodge Tracker Programme.
“Research shows that women often achieve superior results in single-gender learning environments,” van den Heever explains. “This specialized program creates an optimal space for women to master tracking skills and emerge as conservation leaders.”
This initiative represents more than just training – it’s about reimagining possibilities in conservation leadership. At Londolozi, we’re proud to champion this evolution, recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to protect Africa’s wild spaces.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders
As we prepare to announce our inaugural class in January 2025, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey. Your support can help fund the training of these pioneering women, each of whom represents the future of wildlife conservation. Donors become part of our community, receiving regular updates on their sponsored students’ progress from training through employment in the eco-tourism sector.
The Future is Inclusive
Tracking has always been about connection – to the land, its creatures, and our shared heritage. Today, it’s also about innovation, opportunity, and breaking barriers. With initiatives like the Ladies-Only Lodge Tracker Programme and trailblazers like Tsundzukani Whati leading the way, we’re writing a new chapter in conservation’s story – one where everyone has a voice in protecting Africa’s wild legacy.
Be a part of the Ripple Effect
- If you would like some more detailed, one-on-one information, or if you would like to make a donation to the Londolozi Ripple Fund and start your own ripple effect, please reach out to us at ripple@londolozi.co.za
- Donate to the preservation of ancient knowledge and the creation of safe havens for iconic species like the rhino with Tracker Academy and Rhino Guardians (use the #Londolozi in the subject line)
Stay in the Ripple
To stay connected, we have established a Londolozi Ripple Fund Impact site as well as a Ripple Fund Instagram page where you can follow regular updates on projects and donations as they unfold and follow work that has already been successfully completed. If you would like to receive the Londolozi Ripple Fund Impact newsletter, please let us know on ripple@londolozi.co.za
