A Tale of Remarkable Synchronicity
Prior to being named and adopted by Bhejane 4X4 Adventures and Mpafa Travel, Rex was born from the Toy Project, a beautifully creative and loving initiative started by Paul and Renée Leger in the Klein Karoo. Started in July 2011 as a community project, unemployed women of the Groenfontein Valley outside Calitzdorp were approached with a view to creating shweshwe rhino’s, elephants, giraffes…and others. Paul and Renee then moved to Plettenberg Bay, keeping the Groenfontein project going and commuting over the Outeniqua mountains from Plett to the Klein Karoo.
In January 2013, the Bitou Valley Foundation in Plettenberg Bay was established by Julie Carlisle, working with the Green Valley community establishing small businesses linked to eco-tourism. Out of this, Green Valley Creations was formed and a group of ladies began by sewing Wonder Bags (slow cookers) from shweshwe in addition to a variety of other goods.
Towards the end of 2013, Renée approached the Bitou Valley Foundation to connect with Green Valley Creations to expand their own Toy Project in Calitzdorp to Plettenberg Bay thereby increasing productivity.
Rex’s story is one of synchronicity in action, a win-win-win-win for four initiatives. Born from a community project in the Klein Karoo, expanded to another community project in Plettenberg Bay that was developed by an environmental foundation and finally adopted by businesses wishing to give back to the animals that drive their passion – the rhinos of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Rex’s voice, it seems, has filled a niche. The need for a small voice, with an enormous impact, that speaks to men, women and children, has been fulfilled. Little Rex has stepped firmly into these big shoes. And he’s going far.