N E W S & V I E W S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 27 free reign by NCT to take ownership of the farm and to carry out projects to the benefit of the farm and the NCT members who all have a shared interest in the farm. Many members of the public from school groups, hiking groups, neighbours, foreign and South African students, researchers, fellow foresters, international clients, history groups, garden clubs, contractors, nature students, FSC auditors, department of labour and KZN Ezemvelo officers have visited Enon and so many have marvelled at the natural beauty of the farm and acknowledged many of the good management practises observed. As the manager of Enon I influence many facets of life for all employees living and working on the farm. They need to have strong faith in my abilities to care for them and the farm to ensure we all get along without discord and that through the farm prospering we all prosper. That said, I have a vision for the farm, ideas, and projects that I want to implement but without the support of all staff, my ideas and vision would not materialise. I have enjoyed working with some special people such as Elphius Zungu (deceased) who was the Induna on Enon for more than 20 years, I sure miss him to this day. Zamokwakhe Zungu who is current Induna ( retiring end of October 2023) William Nyembe ex tractor driver(deceased), John Nzimande (fire truck driver retiring in 2024), Khumbuzile Ngcobo (deceased), Emily Ndlovu (Deceased), Lilly Bhengu (retired), Thandeka Ngubane (induna at HPM Etterby) Zwelintini D`Avrincourt Chemane (ex-general worker, now successful contractor), Mveli Mtolo ex chainsaw operator for HL & H Mining Timber, now successful owner of Funokwakhe Contracting and Vumokwakhe Bhengu ( retired bell driver) who made me reflect and write this article. All the names mention had a large influence on my life and have taught me to be a better forester, father, husband, friend, NCT employee and human being. Khumbuzile who is quiet, reliable, gentle, and hard working wove beautiful Zulu sleeping mats, gardened and traded her produce, taught me to take an interest in learning more about the workers on Enon. Elphius Zungu was a small man who commanded immense respect from everyone and ruled the Enon work force with strict discipline and was meticulous in ensuring work was done to high standards, including making sure that I kept my socks pulled up and trusted him when he made suggestions ( more like orders) as to how to amend some of my ideas as to work methods or who to trust with more complex tasks. The first day my family and I arrived at Enon, we were met at the front door by Emily Ndlovu who was housekeeper and part-time gardener. Emily was a feisty grandmother, and she wasted no time in informing us that she kept the house in order and would not tolerate mess, she would clean the house until 1pm there after she worked sections of the garden and we were not to expect her to clean up after us should we make a mess in the house after 1pm. Life was good in the care of Emily until she retired. Vumokwakhe Bhengu has a long history with Enon having spent almost all his life between Enon, Etterby and a few other farms in the Richmond area. Bhengu was a first-class bell driver as well as being able to drive just about any other machine with wheels. Bhengu is a gentleman with good manners and such a willing attitude. Bhengu is a man that I was not too proud to approach for advice and guidance on a range of matters affecting the farm and when I had some crazy idea, he was my sounding board, either he would endorse my idea or suggest changes or alternatives. Bhengu was not afraid to use his initiative and make changes or adaptions to my instructions, usually for the better and this taught me that I should never be totally autocratic. As I mentioned earlier, without the support, respect, and guidance of my staff I would not be able to manage Enon to the standard that we have achieved and continue to achieve. The men and women named in this article were all born, raised, and worked most of their lives under the Apartheid government, yet they retained their dignity, self-worth and humbleness and respect for authority and elders. This greatly impressed me and as I aged, I came to appreciate these gems of people and to form a deep respect for them. The last of my good men and women will be retired by the end of 2024, I am going to really miss them. The younger generation replacing the retirees have very different expectations from life and are more politically influenced and technologically able. They will also have hidden talent and abilities, time will bring this out in them so that is my challenge for the next few years, to get to know my younger staff and to enable them to work in an environment where they will be encouraged to show initiative and responsibility, also for them to teach me new ways, that is going to be their challenge.
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