29 NEWS & VIEWS 28 NEWS & VIEWS SACRED PLACE his is Mapungubwe, home to ancient civilisations filled with mystery and beauty. The Greater Mapungubwe has always been known to be a very spiritual and historical place. Many people have noted that they have spoken to their ancestors or at least heard them speak in their unique language which is often hard for many to fathom. I have always wanted to hear from my ancestors, well, I may not have spoken to them this time around but I am glad I had that brief spiritual experience. Put it this way, we feel and experience spirituality whether alone or with our ancestors in different ways.To own a home in this place is a luxury that few can afford but brief encounters such as the one I had will leave a lasting impression and who knows, maybe I will buy my own piece of paradise one day. Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is situated in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area on the banks of the Limpopo River bordered by World Heritage Sites and National Parks. It is here that I run wild (almost) as I watch the African game roam free in a unique conservation area and home to many people who prefer living in the bush. Mapungubwe, situated in the Limpopo Province means a place where jackals eat and is derived from ‘phungwe’ (Venda name for jackal). The Mapungubwe Landscape was declared a World Heritage Site on 3 July 2003. I watch with interest as herds of elephants head for the river to drink. Animals such as lion, gemsbok, eland can be found in the mopani areas around the large dams. There is a rare variety of birdlife along the river banks as well. This is more than just wildlife and scenery. Remains of fossil footprints have been discovered along the river banks making this place a sanctuary of beauty and art. The Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is one of the largest privately owned pieces of land which consists of 10 farms. These include, Kruidfontein, Modena, Somerville and Pontdrift. The property development in this conservation started with the purchase of Kruidfontein farm in 1996. Swedish national Leif Rahmqvist was on a safari in South Africa and actively looking for an area to set up his own private farm. He then went on to buy the other nine farms and the nature reserve was set up. HOME IN A As I sit under the Baobab tree, I hear the wind blowing gently. It feels very spiritual to sit here and take in all the sounds and sights. By Denise Mhlanga