Frontier Land with Dr Dean Allen: Recent Episodes
Algoa FM
Best-selling author Dr. Dean Allen chats to some of the most inspirational people with remarkable stories in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and beyond.
A teacher by trade, Rhian Berning now has a new mission in life. The CEO of the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative, Rhian heads up this funding-dependent
NGO that is working to establish a protected 100,000-hectare biodiversity corridor spanning the Western and Eastern Cape.
Given the increased focus on biodiversity and carbon credits ahead of the 2030 global agreement, her work and that of others in this field are vital for the planet moving forward.
Listen here on Frontierland as she explains the importance of returning corridors of land to nature.
For ecologist John O’Brien and vet Johan Joubert, Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has been a major part of their lives.
These close friends and colleagues have worked together at Shamwari since the early days to create one of the world’s most highly regarded ‘Big 5’ wildlife reserves.
Join them here on Frontierland as they discuss their memories as well as hopes for the future. It makes for a fascinating listen.
Do you know what an ecologist does? No, neither did I. Listen here as Craig Sholto-Douglas, the Environmental Manager at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa explains the importance of his job and how the future of our natural world is literally in our hands.
It makes for a fascinating episode.
When Angus Sholto-Douglas, then a game ranger at Mala Mala in Mpumalanga, was offered the incredible opportunity to start his own game reserve back home in the Eastern Cape, he didn’t think twice. Today he is the Managing Director of the magnificent Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, home to the Big 5 and a model of how eco-tourism should work. He is a man worth listening to.
It is no surprise that the Springboks’ World Cup victories were largely achieved through the prowess of their kickers
Today we marvel at the skills of Handré Pollard, one of the highest-paid players in professional rugby. Back in the day, however, it was Joel Stransky who, in the 1995 final, dropped-kicked probably the most important 3 points in South Africa’s history.
Listen here on Frontier Land as Joel looks back on his illustrious career and offers his thoughts on the current state of South Africa – both the rugby and the country.
The title of John Varty’s memoirs is ‘Nine Lives’ and there is little doubt that he has led a charmed life.
This legendary South African filmmaker, activist, and game reserve owner has swam across crocodile-infested rivers, been charged by angry hippos, and has been mauled and almost killed by a tiger he helped rescue.
His incredible story and views on conservation are well worth a listen.
Steve Lansdown is a self-made man. Awarded a CBE in 2017 for services to business and the community in Bristol (his home city), he is the co-founder of the British financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown. Perhaps most notably he is a founder of Bristol Sport and majority shareholder of Bristol Bears Rugby Club, Bristol Flyers Basketball, and my team, Bristol City Football Club who play in the English Championship. He is also the owner of the beautiful Mashatu Game Reserve in southern Botswana. Listen here as we learn about his passion for Africa and its wildlife.
When Kiwi Devan Touhey moved to South Africa almost 30 years ago it was for the sport of rugby. Little did he know then that he would leave a legacy as a pioneer of a rather different sport in this country – bungy jumping!
Devan’s company, Face Adrenalin, have been running the famous Bloukrans Bridge bungy operation since 1997. At 216 metres (709 ft) above the Bloukrans River, on the border of the Eastern and Western Cape, it remains one of the highest commercial bungy jumping sites in the world. Listen how he overcame his own fear of heights and how he experienced the paparazzi’s treatment of Prince Harry firsthand.
The first time he set eyes on the ocean, Sibusiso Sizatu thought that, with all that water, it must have been a very large lake. A few years later, the former herd boy from Qumbu, near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, would skipper a racing yacht to third place in the world-famous Cape to Rio race. It’s an incredible story!
Regarded as one of South Africa’s most talented yachtsmen, Rick Nankin has enjoyed a life dedicated to the sport he loves. First chosen by Phil Gutsche to skipper his famous yacht ‘Warrior’ in the 1996 Cape-to-Rio race, listening to Rick one is in little doubt that he was born to a life on the ocean wave. It makes for a fascinating listen.
For most of us the idea of travelling the world aboard a cruise ship is a distant dream. However, having recently been invited to speak aboard Holland America’s Grand World Voyage, I took the opportunity to chat with not only passengers but also those, like me, working their passage. With the cruise industry so important for tourism in South Africa this episode of Frontier Land sheds light on life aboard a luxury liner.
The Rushmere Family are highly respected in the Eastern Cape. At Kariega Game Reserve they have developed one of the finest safari reserves in South Africa. Passionate about conservation, Mark Rushmere chats here about his life and reflects too on a memorable cricketing career that saw him represent South Africa on their return to the world stage in 1992
To picture captive-born tigers roaming wild in the Free State of South Africa is something hard to imagine. But that is the reality at Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve where an inspirational couple, Rodney and Lorna Drew have dedicated their lives to saving one of the world’s most endangered animals. It’s an incredible story
Elinda Vorster (nee Rademeyer) had a dream to run in the Olympics Games. Following South Africa’s readmission in 1992, she achieved that ambition in the magnificent city of Barcelona. Listen here as she tells the story of her incredible journey and how she has dedicated her life to athletics and the country she loves
Sarah Tompkins is a true pioneer of conservation in the Eastern Cape. Along with her husband Mark, she created the Samara Karoo Reserve in 1997 with the vision to restore the area to its natural state. Listen here as she talks about her incredible journey
The name Mark Boucher is synonymous with South African and world cricket. Regarded as one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, he holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper, with 532 catches and 555 total dismissals. While a serious eye injury forced an end to his playing days, he has gone on to become a successful top-level coach.
Listen here as he reflects on his sporting career as well as his passion for conservation.
Joanna Wallace works for the Sustainable Seas Trust, a Non-Profit Organisation founded in the Eastern Cape with the aim of growing awareness about ocean conservation and plastic pollution. An environmentalist, educator, and researcher, this dynamic daughter of Pietermaritzburg has travelled the world but now considers Nelson Mandela Bay home. We find out about her mission in life in this episode of Frontier Land
Wayne Bolton is not your average labour law consultant. Inspired by the plight of our African rhinos, he has cycled 3/4 of the way around the world for his ‘One Land Love It’ cause. Discover here how he found his purpose in life.
Regorapetse (Ree) Serote is a lady on a mission. Inspired by some incredible personal challenges, she has founded ‘She Speaks SA’: A platform that aims to give South African women a voice. Her story is quite remarkable.
The Sport Legends Trust was founded to provide assistance to past international and provincial sport persons and their families in times of need. Listen here as South African sporting legends Trevor Quirk; Bossie Clarke; Rupert ‘Spook’ Hanley & Hugh Page talk about their support of this special cause
To watch Rob Yordi around animals is to witness someone in his natural element. On first impressions, however, this middle-aged American may not appear to be your typical conservationist. Rob is the Executive Director of the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and is responsible for administering essential funding for conservation projects around the world. We catch up with him here on a fact-finding trip back to South Africa and his beloved Eastern Cape.
Dublin-born Kenneth Denton is the biggest property owner in the history of Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha. An international property investor and self-confessed introvert, Ken first visited PE in the 1990s when he fell in love with the region and its people. He has since gone on to buy up some of Central Port Elizabeth’s most historic buildings - many of which appear to remain derelict.
Listen here as this soft-spoken Irishman explains, in a rare interview, his plans for the future.
No one can call Francine Zana lucky. From growing up in a Port Elizabeth township to making the progression from chambermaid to company owner, this determined and charismatic lady has worked incredibly hard to make a success of her life.
Her drive and enthusiasm are infectious and her story is one that should inspire not only South Africans from a disadvantaged background but also anyone looking for an example of how to follow your desired path in life.
Paul Gardiner may have lived in the UK for the past 20 years but is heart is still here in South Africa. In fact, he still refers to the Eastern Cape as ‘home’ and is a passionate ambassador for the province.
The son of Adrian Gardiner, one of the Eastern Cape’s most renowned entrepreneurs, Paul is the CEO of Mantis, a company that his father started in 2000. His is a fascinating story in its own right.
After inheriting his family fortune, Paul Lister decided to turn his back on the corporate world and instead invest his time and money into conservation. The founder of the European Nature Trust, he is the custodian of Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands where he hopes to reintroduce wolves into the wild. Inspired by Africa, he’s a remarkable man with a vision.
Zukiswa Kona and Ncedisa Maqoma are descendants of that great Xhosa warrior Chief Maqoma (1798 - 1873). Both ladies had grown up listening as the men in their family told tales of Maqoma and his struggles against the might of the British Empire. Today, these determined ladies face their own fight to be recognised as the rightful leaders of their community. Listen here as they tell their story
Garth Davis is typical of many South Africans. Early in his career, he chose to leave these shores to pursue, what he perceived as, better opportunities overseas. Having made his fortune in California, he is now back to reconnect with South Africa on a very personal journey. As he embarks on a ground-breaking project that will cement his relationship with the country, we hear how recent events have shaped his life and how the Eastern Cape has become part of his story. www.algoafm.co.za
On 22 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. As a result of the conflict, Margarita Matsevich and her family were forced to flee their homeland into neighbouring Slovakia. Along with her son, daughter and her mother as well as Olya Laevskaya, her cousin, Margarita has experienced first-hand the trauma of war and upheaval on a scale last witnessed during World War 2.
To think that this is happening today is unimaginable.
Listen here as their incredible tale is told. It is a story that should make us all stop and take stock of our own situations...
Every now and then in life, you meet a person whose energy and spirit instantly lifts you. Someone with a story so incredible that you cannot fail to be inspired. Jenni Gault is one such person. Listen in as she shares with us her mountainous journey: One of extreme personal challenges, that she has not only overcome but has actively embraced. Prepare to be inspired!
Div de Villiers is a big man with a big personality. Nearing 40 years of service, Div is a ‘Green Scorpion’ - part of the law enforcement team that help protect and preserve our precious wildlife. Div’s engaging personality makes for an entertaining interview, but listen closer and you will learn of the very serious nature of his work and the challenges he and his colleagues face on a daily basis.
Andrew is one of South Africa’s most influential conservationists and social entrepreneurs, having run conservation and developmental NGOs for over 30 years. He is a specialist in the fields of protected area expansion and management; sustainable and eco-tourism; advocacy and environmental policy and youth and community development. Wilderness Foundation