The Okonjima Story
A STORY ABOUT A FAMILY AND A FARM IN NAMIBIA.
Okonjima, the Hanssens and the AfriCat Foundation.
A world without Leopard.... Well, who would want to live in it? - Diana Vreeland
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This narrative chronicles the evolution of Okonjima, transitioning from a cattle and hunting farm to a guest farm and eventually expanding into a vast 220km² private nature reserve. It’s a tale of shifting perspectives and the determined conservation endeavours embarked upon by a single family.
This account underscores the convergence of wildlife preservation and tourism, and the importance of an environmentally sustainable approach.
Introduction
As the years unfolded, the Hanssen family found themselves at the forefront of a dual legacy — one rooted in the time-honored tradition of cattle farming and another dedicated to the conservation of Namibia’s magnificent carnivores and wildlife in general. The rocky, sandstone landscapes of Okonjima, which once resonated with the lowing of cattle, was now slowly transforming to include the sounds of wilder creatures. The change was not just physical, but represented a paradigm shift in the family’s ethos.
They had managed to seamlessly blend the traditional with the modern while embracing the winds of change that swept across Namibia during the country’s rebirth in 1990. Valdemar James (VJ) Hanssen, the patriarch of the family, was a man of vision. With weathered hands and a heart connected deeply to the land, he had seen the necessity for change. His wife Edith Rose (nee: Bagot-Smith) and children, Tammy, Wayne, Donna and Rosalea, shared his passion for Mother Nature, and together they championed a cause that went far beyond the boundaries of their ranch.
CHAPTER 1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, THE HANSSEN FAMILY & HOW IT ALL STARTED
The Hanssen family, rooted in a generations-old tradition of cattle farming, found themselves compelled to explore new avenues for survival. The rugged, mountainous terrain, while picturesque, also harboured its challenges, among others, the elusive leopard, despised by farmers for their predation on livestock, thrived in these protective heights, leading to significant livestock losses for the Hanssens.
Confronted with this challenge, and driven by a collective dedication to end trophy hunting, the family chose to shift their focus and take a different path towards wildlife conservation and land preservation. In a departure from the historical norm during which cattle farming and hunting were the predominant choices for farmers, the Hanssens opted to break away from this dichotomy. It was a bold decision, a divergence from the well-trodden and more familiar paths of the past. The high density of leopard on their land became a catalyst for change.
Rather than seeing these majestic creatures as adversaries, the family sought ways to coexist harmoniously with the wildlife that also called their farm home. It was a shift in perspective that mirrored a broader transformation which was taking place in Namibia.
Visitors from across the globe had eagerly started flocking to Africa’s newest nation, drawn by the prospect of an authentic African safari experience. Exploring this country promised more than encounters with the renowned wildlife that neighbouring South Africa was celebrated for; it also offered access to awe-inspiring desert vistas and rich, distinctive cultures. Embracing the momentum of this evolving landscape, the family set out on a journey to transform their farm into a haven, not just for cattle, but for the flourishing wildlife as well.
The decision coincided with a changing world, in which conservation and sustainability were gaining prominence.