The Eastern Cape has seen centuries of loss, but standing at Founders Lodge, surrounded by wildlife and stories of recovery, it became clear that decline is not the only possible ending.
Eastern Cape, South Africa (22 February 2026) – Founders Lodge: Where hope grows. That’s the title I chose while I was driving in a game vehicle, surrounded by wildlife. But also hope. Hope was all around me.
I was invited to Founders Lodge by Mantis (or Founders as I now call it), a luxury boutique safari lodge set on its own private land in the Eastern Cape, with traversing rights on Shamwari Game Reserve, and yes, it had all the bells and whistles, thoughtful spaces, generous comfort, food served…
Cricket: Cricket is also extremely popular, with the national team, known as the
Proteas, competing at the highest international levels.

42nd Street
Aikona – not on your life [eye-koh-na] or [hi-koh-na] A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief when talking to friends or family.Example: “Aikona, why did she do that?!” / “Haikona, when?! How?!”
Bones
A child can play with anything including his mother’s breast but not his father’s testicles.