In recent years the Eastern Cape has slowly built a reputation as one of the country’s greatest wildlife destinations, but word has not quite reached the ears of the rest of the world.
However, a collaboration between an SA tourism entrepreneur and a British author seeks to right that wrong and open the eyes of the world to one of SA’s wildlife and tourism meccas.
Hospitality and wildlife tycoon, and founder of the iconic Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Adrian Gardiner, got in touch with historian, lecturer and world traveller Dean Allen after coming across his writings about the lesser-known regions of SA.
While launching his book series Frontier Land — Exploring South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Allen, 50, also took the opportunity to announce his newest endeavour — writing the history of the province’s wildlife industry through the eyes of Gardiner.
Allen’s relationship with SA started in the mid 90s when a visit turned into his enrolment at the University of Stellenbosch.
Thereafter, he held lecturing positions in SA, Australia, Ireland and England before making SA his permanent home and researching the country’s rich history, particularly the Eastern Cape.
“I deal in nostalgia and I want to contribute to this beautiful place and its people.
“The Eastern Cape has so much to offer, and I want to tell that story,” he said.
Allen has published two volumes of Frontier Land, with a third on the way, and provides a unique perspective on some of the smaller, out-of-the-way towns steeped in historic significance.
His travels have taken him from the 1865 Moeder Kerk in Cradock, modelled on the St Martin’s Church in London’s Trafalgar Square, to the iconic pub The Pig and Whistle Inn in Bathurst.
Frontier Land also provides insight into the founding and more recent history of Makhanda, Komani, Steynsburg, Willowmore, Adelaide and Bathurst, among other towns.
“What is encouraging to see is how places like Bedford and Nieu-Bethesda, through a handful of individuals with a passion for their town, have seen a revival in recent years and turned themselves into tourist destinations.
“And just like those people, we each have an obligation to keep our history alive and to promote this beautiful place we call home,” Allen said.
Looking ahead at his project with Gardiner, Allen hopes to provide a unique perspective on the “rewilding” and conservation of the Eastern Cape through the trailblazing, entrepreneurial spirit of Shamwari’s founder.
The book will delve into Gardiner’s business endeavours, from his early days on the horse racing scene to the foundations of Shamwari and his strides in the international tourism market with the Mantis Collection.
Speaking at the book launch, at the Mantis No5 Boutique Hotel in Summerstrand on Thursday evening, Gardiner said the story was not his alone, and gave credit to a team of people that had helped him carry a legacy of conservation and wildlife in the Eastern Cape.
“I heard my name many times while Dean was speaking, but it’s not just me.
“It’s the story of a very dedicated team of people, and we hope to inspire others with what we have done.
“And we are very happy to welcome Dean as a member of our team to tell our story to the world,” Gardiner said.
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