FAREWELL, PIET HEYMANS

Piet Heymans loved the Kalahari. He was a business-owner from Bloemfontein, but he would travel up to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at least twice a year. He got to know the secrets of the Kalahari, and he could read animal behaviour. Piet, or Oom Piet ( Uncle Piet ), as he liked to be called, could tell from the number of moths around the campfire, if rain was to be expected in the next few days. The skies would be cloudless, and Oom Piet would watch the agamas. If the agamas were sitting high up and looking North, a shower of rain could be expected.

Oom Piet had visited the Kalahari during all the seasons. He saw the changing weather patterns and the different climates which accompanied each season. He knew the harsh, dry winters and the scorching, merciless summers. He would drive a Toyota Landcruiser from Bloemfontein, which had been converted for camping purposes, to the Kalahari. This vehicle was nicknamed "Skilpad", which means "tortoise". Oom Piet and Skilpad would be a familiar sight as he drove along the Park roads. He would often stop and chat to the tourists and discuss sightings.

Oom Piet favoured the region north of Nossob. He often sat at the water-holes of Cubitje-Quap; Kwang; Bedinkt; Langklaas and Kousant. In later years, the Botswana authorities established a campsite at Polentswa. This became Oom Piet's favourite campsite, as here he found tranquility and the freedom of an unfenced camp. Oom Piet would spend hours watching the animals coming to drink at the Polentswa water-hole. It was here, that he felt close to nature and his beloved Kalahari. By then, Skilpad had been replaced by a smart off-road caravan, and I wonder how many times Oom Piet took shelter in that caravan when lions and marauding hyenas came to visit  him at Polentswa.

It was a privilege to be invited to camp with Oom Piet. Noel Hammond; Anton and Elanie de Villiers; Jan and Elsie Hamman and Gavin Stapleton were some of the privileged fellow-campers. This was a group of friends and photographers that shared camaraderie around Oom Piet's campfire. Sadly, Jan passed away in 2004, and Gavin in 2008. Yesterday, the 16th of January 2013, Oom Piet slipped away in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

Oom Piet, you will always be remembered, as the Kalahari will never forget you. You have left behind a legacy of solar-powered water pumps at the water-holes. The water produced by these solar-powered pumps sustain the wildlife, and brings enjoyment to the animals which like to bathe. You worked tirelessly to establish "The Friends of the Kalahari", and to raise funds to replace the worn-out and malfunctioning windmills, giving your time and  generous sponsorship to this project. Oom Piet, your legacy lives on ...

 Sunset at Mata Mata

Please see the blog posting, "Where are the barking geckos ?" for photos, and information about Piet Heyman's book, "Ousus".