Interesting Characters

Harry the Hominid

Harry is a hominid who lives in the Cradle of Humankind.  
Harry the hominid, is the chief tour guide at the Maropeng Visitor Centre

Harry had his debut on Ethiopian TV “Erica Jago with Harry the Hominid being interviewed for Ethiopian TV.  Not only did Maropeng’s ambassador Harry the Hominid add a stamp to his passport when he visited Germany recently for the ITB Berlin 2011 travel trade show, but he will also feature on Ethiopia TV in an interview with Maropeng General Manager Erica Jago.  On Saturday, 12 March, Day 4 of ITB Berlin 2011, a producer from Zana Productions, Solomon Kebede, and cameraman Tamarat Senbeto conducted the interview with Jago where she spoke extensively about Harry’s home, the Cradle of Humankind.  Harry attracted a lot of attention at ITB Berlin where he was stationed at the Gauteng Tourism Authority stand to promote the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Hundreds of visitors had their photo taken with Harry as a memory to take home and also as part of a competition where they could win a trip to the Cradle of Humankind, so it is no surprise that he is making news!  Harry, proudly sporting his South African scarf, stood next to Jago while she introduced him as a representation of an Australopithecus africanus that lived between about 2-million and 3-million years ago, and what this represented in terms of humankind’s development.  Harry and Jago were there to educate people
about Gauteng, the province where Harry’s home, the Cradle of Humankind, is situated and so it was marvellous for him to procure international screen-time!” – March 14, 2011 – Laura Maggs

The Zonki - Cute Freak of nature - found at Heia Safari

Zonki
Pronounciation: zon-kee
Noun
A freak of nature, literally, as this animal is a mixture between a zebra and a donkey
Other names: Zedonk (invented and soon to be patented by yours truly, Kelly)
Origins: African- obviously. Where else would you expect to find such amazing and comical creatures?

"South African animals can be eccentric. Some of them are even swingers. Kelly found the product of one night of passion between a zebra and a donkey at Heia Safari Ranch. Tadaa: Enter the Zonki On quiet nights, when there's nothing on TV, animals curb their boredom by becoming swingers. It's true. Now in the dark of the African veld, nobody knows who they're kafoefeling with so mistakes do happen. One of the products of such a night can be found at the Heia Safari Ranch in Muldersdrift. He is the Zonki.  This forlorn chap stands on the outskirts of the zebra herd on the ranch, looking very sorry for himself indeed. Just imagine Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh,
with stripey pyjama pants on and none of the others wanting to play with him. It's heartbreaking but he is amusing at the same time and makes you just want to hug him. He wouldn't let me though, so I had to settle with taking photos. I had heard and read about this rare type of animal before and had always longed to see one in real life. Unecpectedly, last week Saturday, this dream came true when my boyfriend and I met friends at Heia for a long, spring-type lunch. Heia Safari Ranch is really something special in a relaxed and rustic kind of way. It is situated below the Swartkop Mountain Range, just off Beyers Naude Drive and half way between Johannesburg and Pretoria. I would say it falls into the Muldersdrift area. (When you see the blue gum trees after The Moon and Sixpence Wedding Venue, look out for this Zonki sign).  Just twenty minutes from the Joburg suburbs you and yours can escape that city feeling and find yourselves totally engulfed in tranquility that only the
African bush can provide.  We enjoyed a delectable lunch on the deck in the sunshine and periodically watched the zebras drink from the pool. We later walked off our overindulgence when we strolled down to the huge dam. It was here that we met the Zonki and I was thrilled.  Apart from the infamous zonki a nd his zebra relatives, Heia Safari Ranch is home to numerous other game such as Wilderbees, giraffe and Springbok. We are so fortunate to live in Joburg as we have these treasures of the bush at such close proximity to us and many people don't take the time to appreciate this.  Don't be one of them. Turn off that TV and get out of the city to find that Zonki and other animal kingdom swingers.  Heia's restaurant is open to the public 7 days a week. Accomodation available in the form of 50 thatched bungalows complete with all the extras such as DSTV and veranders overlooking the impressive Lake Heritage at the bottom of the property. It also functions as a lovely wedding and conference venue.  Other activities offered at Heia include canoeing, fishing and game drives through the nearby Lion and Rhino Park. Mzumba Tribal dancers entertain guests with a show on Sunday afternoons." by Kelly Kidson - www.jhblive.com

Charles Gotthard

Based in Protea Ridge, Krugersdorp & Co-owner of Goblins Cove & La Provence d'afrique.  Charles Gotthard sculptor and creative architect extraordinaire!
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra”. 

Entrepeneur, Caterer & Hekpoort Chilli Queen (from humble beginnings to now a large chilli supplier to the Gauteng market.)

"Born in France.lived there for 4 years. Moved to the Netherlands, fiinished my school. got my diploma for general cooking. Moved to Switzerland for 1 year of finishing etiquette school, learned the Swiss kitchen,got my certificate in salads main meals and desserts .Moved back to Holland worked for a small restaurantt take away became managaress.Got the opportunity to go to Spain and help run the restaurant La cuava. Learned how to make a Spanish Paella down to a T.  Met my future husband in Spain and moved to South Africa with him.  I have 2 daughters,a 26 year selling and training experience and love marketing.  At the present moment i am setting up a small chillie business for it to succeed and the need to express my hobby.  Most of it is based on love. .I live passionately, I love passionately and I give with passion. Life is amazing and I enjoy each day!" Katy Van Wijk

John Banda

Owner of Desire Tours

All the locals know the friendly & helpful face of John Banda.  Despite many hardship, John has managed his business perfectly over the last few years.  He offers tailored guided transport solutions, airport transfers & shuttle services, local & long distance tours to international & local clients.  John has always provided extremely helpful & professional service.

Kevin Miller
Lindt Chocolate Studio

After studying Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Swiss Hotel School in Randburg, Kevin spent part of his training doing a 4 month practical at a guest house in Switzerland.  He has since worked at the Kloofzicht Lodge in Muldersdrift, the Mount Grace in Magaliesburg, the Palace at Sun City and the Silverstar Casino as a Pastry Chef.