Theo Nangolo
Shaping and Moulding art from the Veld to the Foyer
Taxidermists construct models of an animal’s body producing a reconstruction which captures the natural pose of the animal. A vital tool that allows mankind to teach about the huge range of life on Earth, taxidermy is way more than just a hip and trendy art form. Meet Taxidermist, Theo Nangolo, employed by Nyati Taxidermy, in the capital. This is his story.
FARM LIFE
Hailing from Outjo in Kunene, Theo Nangolo grew up a typical farmboy who loved nature and the outdoors, and who harboured dreams of becoming a professional hunter. “As young boys, we would often accompany the farm owner on hunting trips and that’s where the dream started, really. I imagined myself as this marksman with his own to-of-the-rage hunting rifle who never missed his target”, he shares.
A product of St. Michael’s Primary and Outjo High, Theo, unfortunately, succumbed to peer pressure in Grade 8, which in turn resulted in a few wrong decisions. “Let me just say that I got mixed up with the wrong crowd and that I ended up doing some things that landed me in trouble”, he reminisces.
Disappointed that he let his parents down, Theo left school and the family home. “I was very young and inexperienced still, but I decided nonetheless to go out there and face the world on my own. You know when you’re young and stubborn, you think in a different way. But, in hindsight, it was a good decision, because things turned out well for me”, Theo notes.
FIELD GUIDE AND HUNTING
Intent on carving out a future in the tourism sector, Theo struck it lucky and landed an opportunity to be groomed as a field guide on a hunting farm near Outjo. “The Van Rensburg Farm is where it all started, really. Part of the job was to render support to the farm’s hunting and safari operations and I was fortunate enough to be trained by seasoned hunters as far as tracking and hunting were concerned”, Theo explains.
Theo thrived in this environment. “I love nature and the outdoors. I’m happiest when I can explore the open savannah. It’s where I’m at peace”, he explains. “You also learn a lot through listening and observation. That’s what I did. Just observing how the more experienced guys were doing things. Just soaking up their knowledge of animal and animal behaviour, as well as animal tracking. Nature was my new classroom, in a way”, he adds.
Theo’s energy, diligence and enthusiasm for the work made a good impression on the farm owner. “I managed to gain his trust because he could rely on me to complete tasks. You see, it’s those small things that matter at the end of the day. In any work, you need to be reliable and your seniors should be able to trust you. If they don’t, and just consider you as just another employee taking up space and getting an income, you won’t make it far”, Theo shares.
BASIC TRAINING
Theo followed up his short, but exciting stint on the hunting farm with an opportunity to train as a taxidermist apprentice at the Retama Taxidermy at Outjo.
“The chance to be taken in as an apprentice came about and I grabbed it with both hands. In fact, I just had to; it’s not as if I had many
“The work is very detailed .... If you don’t get it right, the final product will not be the way the client wants it.”
other options at the time”, he shares. “What counted in my favour was the fact that whilst at the farm, I became very good at skinning animals. Skinning is easier said than done. Sharp knives are used and you need to work fast and with precision. The skins are valuable and any mistake on your part can result in losses. It’s certainly not child’s play”, he emphasizes.
On top of his skinning skill, an innate creative ability and a keen eye for detail made Theo’s in-service training smooth sailing and he took to the new environment like a fish to water. “Obviously, I started out with the skinning component, and gradually, the more seasoned team members started to introduce me to other aspects of the work”, Theo shares.
The taxidermy workshop is also where Theo was introduced to his mentor and good friend, Adam Araeb. “Any apprentice needs a good mentor; someone who not only supervises your work, but someone who is able to transfer their own knowledge and skills. He took me under his wing, really. Everything I know about this line of work today is very much because of Adam’s guidance and support”, Theo emphasizes.
KEEN APPRENTICE
Adam recalls how Theo, within a relatively short period of time, was able to enhance his skinning skill and master the mounting of tanned skins onto the pre-prepared frames.
“He just had the talent for the work. Do you know what they say about the master and the student? That the student often becomes better that the master? Well, that was the case with Theo. He soon was able to match my skill and in certain ways, he became better than me. It made me proud, really. I was proud of this talented young man I was teaching and I was proud of how he was excelling”, Adam shares.
Former apprentice and mentor are now on equal footing, both employed as taxidermists at Nyati Taxidermy, situated in the capital’s Northern Industrial Area. “Yes, we are colleagues now and we work very well as a team. We keep each other in check. We often ask for each other’s opinion on certain aspects of the work, because we respect each other’s skill and talent”, Theo remarks.
“However, in as much as we are colleagues today, I will forever be grateful for his support and the role he has played in my development and growth as a taxidermist. Yes, others have played a part as well, but I’m very much who I am today, because of Adam’s involvement and support. He’s been my rock”, he adds.
TAXING WORK
Taxidermy is labour-intensive and a full mount may take up to six months to complete. Knowing what materials to select and use to construct the framework, and what special techniques to apply in skinning the animal, preserving the skin, and fitting and sewing it over the framework, comes with practice and experience. Artistic skill, manual dexterity and fitness are other important requirements.
Theo ticks all the boxes. He appreciates all too well that as a taxidermist, he needs to be focused and patient. “The process starts with skinning. Usually, we skin from the back in between the horns to be able to remove the skin easily. It’s like taking off a shirt, really. The skin treatment process then starts. Washing it in salt water, soaping and treating it with a special chemical mix to soften, whereafter it pickled for about two days”, he explains.
Once the skin is ready, the taxidermists start the mounting process. “The mounting work is very detailed. You need to take into consideration the frame and its dimensions and make sure that the skin is stitched the right way. It’s an important stage because if you don’t get it right, the final product will not be the way the client wants it”, Theo notes.
“The eyes, nose and ears are high-detail work. Your job is to make it look realistic and true. Once again, you need to get it right,
otherwise, you’ll end up with a product that doesn’t look the part. At the end of the day, the final product must meet the client’s expectations. If it doesn’t, the business suffers and my reputation suffers as well”, he adds.
VALUED COLLEAGUE
Theo’s hard-earned professional reputation as a meticulous and talented taxidermist is well-deserved. His familiarity with animal anatomy, sculpture, painting and the tanning of animal hides aid him in ensuring attractive, lifelike results Colleagues and supervisors alike appreciate his dexterity and passion.
“To know that my supervisors and colleagues appreciate my skill and proficiency makes me feel good and it motivates me to continue giving my best. It’s a nice feeling, you know. Knowing that the products I made are now hanging in homes and offices across the world because most of our clients are from overseas. From Mexico, Germany, France, Hungary, all over the world”, he shares.
Manager, Sabine Gerde agrees. “We are very happy to have Theo as part of our team. He’s a real asset to Nyati Taxidermy. The products he delivers are of high and good quality. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in the game for a long time. And he’s always friendly. He obviously loves what he does which you can see in the work he produces”, she shares.
A close friend and colleague, Adam, concurs. “He’s really multi-talented. Very versatile. Don’t underestimate him. He’s a real perfectionist. Although I showed him the ropes in this line of work, he’s way better than I am now. In fact, he is doing certain things now, that I’m still not able to do. Some days, I find myself observing him and thinking to myself that Theo was born into this work. That’s just how good he is”, he notes.
BRIGHT FUTURE
Considering Namibia’s reputation as a renowned trophy-hunting destination, the demand for skilled taxidermists who can render high-quality products continue to grow. Theo appreciates that his well-rounded skill set and portfolio of high-quality taxidermy outputs make him an asset to the local tourism sector. However, he feels that there’s nothing special about what he does and that others can follow in his footsteps.
“I will not hesitate in encouraging others to consider taxidermy. Key traits to enter this exciting field include the ability to work well with your hands, attention to detail, thoroughness and the ability to work on your own. If you have these and you’re willing to learn the trade through an apprenticeship as I did, nothing prevents you from excelling”, Theo highlights.
On her part, Manager Sabine advises prospective apprentices not to be discouraged by the negative perceptions that come with trophy hunting and taxidermy.
“Trophy hunting and taxidermy are frowned upon in many countries, but people often do not consider the important link between the two for sustainable wildlife. Trophy hunting actually adds value to wildlife sustainability, and a great way to preserve the wildlife is to have it prepared as a mount or something that you can take along. So, I think there’s definitely a future in it, but you have to have a passion for the bush and the animals to pursue that”, Sabine explains.
“It’s a nice feeling, you know. Knowing that products I made are now hanging in homes and offices across the world because most of our clients are from overseas. From Mexico, Germany, France, Hungary, all over the world”
FAMILY MAN
Away from the demanding production deadlines and the pungent odour of chemicals and glue in the taxidermy workshop, Theo unwinds by spending time with family and close friends. They admire his skill, focus and dedication.
“Spending time with loved ones is very important. You need to get your mind away from the work because if you don’t, you end up worrying too much about mounts that are yet to be done and deadlines that loom. I found it difficult to switch off, at first. But, taking a break and giving others your time as will help you to stay on track. It’s about finding the right balance, really, Theo explains.
Theo also applies his free time towards a new hobby – upholstery. “Look, it’s really just a hobby. I tried my hand at it and realised that it’s something I’m actually good at. So often, I’m busy repairing and re-upholstering a neglected and worn furniture piece”, he notes.
Partner, Fransina Gaeses agrees. “That’s just how I know him. Always looking for something to do with his hands. Not someone who likes being idle, doing nothing. He works very hard. He’s our provider”, she shares.
Theo Nangolo. His story teaches us that success is no accident and that we must have firm resolve, persistence and tenacity in making progress in our careers. Simply put: that we must gear ourselves to work hard all the way. The sky is the limit for this trailblazing young man who continues to live his passion and who does not allow his circumstances to define his future. You, too, can become a taxidermist. Visit our website, www.nta.com.na to learn more about taxidermy and other technical and vocational career options.