I have a dream — environmental education, community empowerment and horses…
By: Harriet Nimmo
Tags: Horses, Dream, Community Empowerment, South Africa, Environmental Education

Vusi Tshabalala

Vusi Tshabalaba (centre) — turning his dream into reality.

I grew up loving horses, the most beautiful animals ever. But I’d never known a horse, and all the pictures and films I’d ever seen only showed white people with horses, never anyone like me. It has always been my dream to have horses, and for kids from the local communities to be able to spend time with horses.



I grew up in a rural community in Tzaneen, Limpopo. My grandfather had donkeys, cows, chickens, and goats in his backyard, and I used to love spending time with them — I felt at peace. My mum caught me sneaking puppies into my bed. I was known as the crazy boy who loved animals by my community.

Three years ago I was fortunate enough to go to a conference in Kenya, through my work. I am the Manager of the Environmental Monitors Programme, for the Kruger 2 Canyon Biosphere Reserve, based outside Hoedspruit in Limpopo. Next to my conference hotel in Nairobi was a racing stables, and this was the first time I ever saw black people riding! I used to get up especially early and go jogging, just so I could watch these black guys on horses.

I returned home to South Africa determined to make my dream happen and build a stables. As a conservationist specialising in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) I have always struggled for ways in which our learners can interact with wildlife, and only a lucky few get the opportunity to go on a trip to Kruger National Park. But now my dream and passion could be combined — open a stables where young black kids can be with horses, learn to ride and develop a special bond, even with a big scary animal like a horse, which might bite, buck or kick.



It is so important that young people have access to animals, that they learn to care for them and get to know their different personalities. How will we save Africa’s wildlife, if young people have no connection or empathy with animals?



I started my journey by visiting four different stables in Hoedspruit, to learn more about keeping horses. I kept being told that horses are too expensive, they get sick, people in your community will steal them or even eat them. The more I was discouraged — the more determined I became.

So I saved up and managed to buy a hectare of land on the edge of my community and with the help of my community leaders I managed to secure 4 hectares in total. I had very little money to buy any horses — they are so expensive. I was then told about some semi-wild horses that might be cheaper to buy. So I borrowed a trailer and bought two mares Queen and Nyeleti (Star), both unbroken, with their yearlings, Prince and N’weti (Moon).

As the stables were not yet built, I kept them in my yard for the first few weeks, much to the amusement of my neighbours. The horses were much wilder than I’d realised and it took me 5 weeks to tame them. Every day before and after work I’d spend time with them, talking to them. Then I learnt the magic password — pony nuts! As soon as I started rattling pony nuts in a bucket, they came to me, and gradually they let me put a halter on and groom them.



They became famous in my community — as no one had ever seen horses before. I walked them on a lead rope and the traffic stopped in amazement. When they accidentally got out of my yard — everyone ran after them, to make sure they got back home safely.



I have been fortunate to win some development support in India through the Active Change Drivers Entrepreneurship programme (which identifies young leaders in South Africa) — where I pitched my proposal titled “Idling Minds of Young People”. So now I can continue building my dream. The stables will become part of my bigger vision, the Octopus Entertainment Centre. I plan to build swimming pools, a computer centre, an obstacle course and a centre for music and art. An octopus has one head and many arms — and so this centre will have a central hub, with many activities.



The stables are the start. I have been overwhelmed and amazed at the children’s excitement at coming here. Every day after school, hordes of children rush here. They just want to spend time with the horses, stroking and brushing them and taking it in turns to lead them round the ring. They really love the horses, with all their hearts.

In fact, I’ve had to establish opening hours — otherwise the children are here all day. I want to create somewhere safe and welcoming for them, outside of school — where they can spend time with the horses and other animals. I still need to raise the funds for proper tack and for farrier and veterinary costs. This is just the start of my vision — watch this space!



I would like to thank K2C for supporting me with 3 Environmental Monitor staff, and the following stables for training in horse care — African Horse Dream Safaris, The Equine House, Rhino Revolution, Equi-Africa Adventures, Pfunanane Academy and Protrack anti-poaching.



For more information, or if you’d like to get involved or can help support the equestrian costs, please contact me. Vusi Tshabalala, +27 73 845 3526 / job.tshabalala@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook “Octopus Horse Riding Center”.

Image credits, Warren Ngobeni, Wild Shots Outreach