Kruger Park mourns the passing of a legendary conservationist
‘Ever since his boyhood, Johann wanted to be a game ranger’
MBOMBELA - Another of the Kruger National Park’s most beloved and legendary conservationists has fallen.
Long-time Mooiplaas section ranger, Johann Oelofse, passed away on September 9, following a series of debilitating setbacks to his health.
Born near Machadodorp, Oelofse and his brother Theunis grew up with the freedom to explore nature. It laid the groundwork for his undying love and passion for the natural world and its conservation.
His wife, Jocelyn, said, “Ever since his boyhood, Johann wanted to be a game ranger. He never lost sight of this dream and got his lucky break in 1979 when he became a trails guide on the Olifants Wilderness Trail.”
Oelofse was promoted to section ranger at the newly established Woodlands section, west of Shingwedzi, on December 4, 1982.
Six years later he was transferred to Tshokwane, until his final posting to Mooiplaas, just outside Mopani Camp, where he lived, served and thrived until his retirement on August 31, 2011.
Long-time friend and colleague, Joep Stevens, recalled the crucial role Oelofse played in enhancing the area around Mopani.
“He added new roads and viewpoints and was instrumental in creating Tzendze Rustic Camp. Johann served the Kruger Park with immense passion and dedication,” he said.
Jocelyn said despite being rendered immobile by the stroke, Oelofse never stopped travelling to the Kruger in his nightly dreams.
“He always had extraordinarily vivid dreams of walking through the park beneath those magnificent leadwoods, just as he did for so many years,” she said.
“After the stroke Johann used to say, ‘I can laugh or I can cry. Laughing is fun, but crying is messy. I choose to laugh.’”
Stevens said, “Our heartfelt condolences go to Jocelyn, their daughter Joline, and all his loved ones. May you now fly over the beautiful plains and mountains around Mopani, the area you so adored.”