The kids at Dixie

The name Shangaan loosely translated means 'lost tribe'. A name coined when the Tsonga people split from the powerful Zulu Nation. However, one proud man, Rexon Ntimane, believes his people have found hope.
Dixie is a small rural village on the outskirts of the Sabie Sand Game Reserve in South Africa. Just 1km away from these humble dirt roads, leopards embrace the night and herds of buffalo roam the savanna. A small structure serves as a curio shop for the passing patrons of sculpture and craft. Chickens, cattle and goats loiter the roads. The usual rural African village seems different though.
There are no children in the streets running up to us to have their picture taken. They are all at Wisani Nursery School. Many of these kids are oblivious to the fact that the man visiting them is responsible for their being there, and perhaps even their future. Their innocent eyes are more focused on the porridge that is being dished up in their enamel bowls.
When Rexon first started his community work he was met with resistance. These people have seen individuals sell precious land for empty promises. Rexon managed to win the trust of the community and the elders.
This was not easy. Rexon explains that the Shangaan people are steeped in tradition and this often makes it difficult to initiate change.
The beauty lies between the lines. Here is man hanging on to traditions in a modern world. A man who seeks the approval from the elders but knows his generation is the the vehicle for change - all for the benefit of future generations. Nothing is black or white in the rainbow nation.
Rex is certainly forward thinking. He established the nursery school to free the mothers from their children so they could work. Most of them now work in the game lodges or tend vegetable gardens. 'My main aim is to build something the community can run because they are the future.' says Rexon as we head off to see his other labour of love.
'We hope construction will be finished by June. but we have to work hard'. Rex walks us through a small building that will later serve as the hub of the community. HIV counselling, art, ethnic education and even woman's soccer. Rex somehow finds time for these projects in between his hectic schedule with Wild Earth and his role as patriarch in his family.
It takes someone with imagination and courage to dedicate his life to the upliftment of his people and overcome immense odds to get things done. Rexon praises his father for being such an honourable man who taught him the history of his culture. The influence on his character seems obvious. Rexon is wise beyond the limitations of language. Self taught in written and spoken English.
The bush was his University. 'What's the difference between your upbringing and that of these lighties?' I ask.
'We grew up hunting small game in the area. Herding cattle. Collecting wood, making fences. A lot has changed. Our culture is diluted.' Rex hopes the youth will embrace their culture. He realises that the only way to succeed in that is to engage them in the community and pass down the knowledge that they too will pass on to their children.
Rexon has hopes of his son becoming a lawyer. He firmly believes all his children should get a university degree. His stature within the community is now as firm as the foundations of the school building. 'I drive past here and sometimes my tears come off'. Seeing the faces of these kids in a safe, caring environment makes Rex feel proud of his work. Proud too of his community. The warmth of the Shangaan people is around every corner and the entire village benefit from the eco-tourism. Its evident that growing up near the African bush has shaped the beauty of these people. Their regard for wildlife has changed with the times but remains firmly ingrained in their nature.
Dixie is a place of hope that is slowly seeing change through the efforts of a man who seeks no reward. He is inspired by his heritage. The spirit of Africa to guides him on the path to uplifting his people and helping them live a life their ancestors would be proud of.
Written by Daniel Querido
(Note: The Wisani Nursery school was built with funds provided by the Buffelshoek Trust (www.buffelshoektrust.co.za). Djuma Game Reserve (www.djuma.com) is the largest contributor towards the monthly running costs of the creche.)

WE have received a phenomenol $2140.00 for the project to take the kids from Dixie to the movies!!! Far more than we planned or expected. This has allowed us to take many more kids, and we are also planning to get each of them a T-Shirt, and maybe more ... (I will keep you updated on our arrangements and of course make sure you feel like you are there with us on the day.)
There are some WEangels that have requested to remain annonymous, and WE will of course respect this. I would like to extend a very sincere thank you to all of you that decided to help our humble little project to take some underpriveleged kids in Africa to the movies for an experience of a lifetime. I know that this project came at a time when many people around the world are very uncertain about the financial and political systems everywhere, and I think it is a testimony to the kindness of people that come on safari with us LIVE, that they could find it in their hearts to help the less fortunate in a time of their own relative darkness. You are all truly special people, you are WEangels and I am so grateful that it is in your nature.
This project has taught me something about what WE do, and more importantly, what WE can do. I think that it is the beginning of something special and very meaningful. I promise that this will not be the last time that you hear of the army of WEangels.

While the WildEarth crew slept, angels came in the night, and donated money to our cause!! WE now have $955.00 towards the trip to the movies because of the following WEangels: Stacy Manfredi, Peter Braat, Cathy M Glenney-Munro, Beverly Bailey, Michael Moss, Carol Roll, Barbara Ellington, Patricia Mulligan, Andrew Hudson, Sharon Mcdorman, Mike Merritt, Mary Schooley, Kathleen Lambert, Vicki Kiskamp and Jean-Pierre LEVY.
WE need about $1300.00 to take about 25 kids and 5 adults to the movies. But what with the amazing response of the WEangels, we are going to try and take more kids. Emily is working on finding more buses and growing this little project because of your AMAZING generosity. You are all stars and should be very very proud of yourselves. WE are going to make a lot of kids very very happy.
Thank you. You are WEangels ... it's in your nature.

A big big thank you to all our supporters so far. We have raised US$295.00.
Emily and I have almost finished costing the trip and will be Bloging the whole story later today. But our initial guess is that we are already about a third of the way there.
The gang will be on their way to Dixie, when they have finished with the morning shows, and after we have the pictures and video I will Blog here, the WildEarth Blog (http://blog.wildearth.tv) and create a Facebook cause as well.
Thank you to Amanda ($100), Letricia ($75), and Kathy ($50) for helping make this possible.
I can't wait.

A huge big thank you to Colleen ($50) and Dania ($20) for making the first two donations to our little project to take the kids at Dixie creche to the movies in Nelspruit.
Emily has almost completed the costing and planning for this trip. So we hope to post the details of exactly how much money we need and when it will be happening tomorrow. Also, Rexon, Pieter, Herman and Simon will be going to the creche in Dixie tomorrow to film and photograph the kids and Rex talking about our plans, and we will also post all this info.
I now that the whole world is having tough times right now. But sometimes doing something small for someone else, can come back into your own life many time amplified. I cannot think of anything better than making a perfect day for 25 underprivileged kids. Come on lets take them to the movies ... It's in your nature.

There is a little village called Dixie, just outside Djuma Game Reserve in Mpumulanga, South Africa. Rexon Ntimane, a presenter at www.wildearth.tv helped has worked very hard over the years to get a creche and school going in his village. All of us at WildEarth thought that it would be a great idea to hire a bus and take all the kids to the movies in Nelspruit, which is the closest cinema three hours drive away.
Many of these kids, well actually all of them, have never been out of their village. They have never seen a two storey building, or a paved road. WE want to take them to Nelspruit, get them each some popcorn and a soda while they watch their very first movie. Then we want to take them to get a hamburger for lunch.
This might not seem like a big deal for you, but for these kids it will be an adventure of a life time.
I am still figuring out how much this will cost, how many kids, when we can do it etc. So check back soon to see what is happening. Pieter will be going in to Dixie with Texan and Rexon on the 24th September 2008 to take some pictures, which I will post over here.
Also, on the day of the trip to the movies, WildEarth will send along a cameraman and WE will make a short film about the days trip, so all of you that have donated money to make these kids happy, will be able to see how it went. No promises, but i might even be able to organise a LIVE link up ... it's in our nature.