Stories worth telling
During the last few weeks, I was captivated by uniquely South African stories – the kind of special moments that can only be written in a country such as ours.
The first is the victory of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup, which doesn’t need much elaboration. Captain Siya Kolisi said it best in his post-final interview: ‘People who are not from South Africa don’t understand what this means for our country.’ The second is the lesser-known story of Magqubu Ntombela and Ian Player (older brother of South African golfing legend Gary Player), masterfully told by CA-turned-historian-storyteller Michael Charton.
During the 1950s Ian Player was assigned to the Umfolozi Game Reserve as a ranger by the then newly established Natal Parks Board. There his path crossed with that of Magqubu Ntombela, head of the Game Guard force. These two men forged an extraordinary partnership, leveraging Magqubu’s vast experience and knowledge of the Zululand bush and Ian’s sense of adventure and boundless passion for conservation.
Their partnership spanned three decades of apartheid South Africa and ultimately saved the white rhino from the brink of extinction. Together they pioneered the darting and tranquilising of game which enabled the relocation and re-introduction of large game − an innovation that has changed conservation globally. A short paragraph does not do this incredible story justice, and seeing Michael tell it live is a must (Leave some for the honey badger on www.inheritsouthafrica.com.)
I had to stand still and consider why these two events left such a profound impression on me. Perhaps it can be broken down into the following:
- When we come together, magic happens.
- For magic to happen, there first needs to be mutual respect.
- Respect is built on trust.
- Trust is earned by knowing each other’s stories.
- To hear a story, you have to listen.
- We all have a unique story to tell.
The moral of the story? We need to tell more stories!
As I pondered the collective spirit of South Africa, illustrated so poignantly by the Springboks and the conservation duo, I couldn’t help but reflect on our own company story at Tripco.
We faced a question that struck at our core: Why are South Africans turning to international online travel agencies for local travel? It isn’t just about lost revenues − though R2 billion lost from our economy is material in anyone’s books − it’s about lost connections. Our response, much like in the stories above, was to forge a path rooted in homegrown trust and understanding. We launched Viya not merely as an app but as a bridge, a place where every click resonated with the heartbeat of Mzansi, channelling the same unity and respect that saved rhinos from extinction and spurred the Springboks to glory. This path is by no means easy, we stumble and success is not guaranteed. But by working together we are one step closer to our goal of becoming the go-to choice for local travellers.
At the Springboks victory parade, the isiXhosa song vibrated through the streets of Cape Town:
Zumpeee mntana kamama
Zumpeya ufik’ izolo umntana kamama
Thina siyazalana mama
We are related. We come from the same womb.
Our stories may differ, but they are interwoven: We are stronger together.
