Oma took us on holiday every December—we’d trek to a different place each year, immersing ourselves in the beautiful flora and fauna of South Africa. One year we went to Jobedi, a leopard sanctuary that we nicknamed “Nobedi” because there were literally no animals there. None. No leopards. Nothing.
We drove for four hours from Joburg to the middle of nowhere; the literal heart of the gamadoelas. When we arrived at Nobedi, we were directed to a house in middle –of the middle– of the gamadoelas; it had no electricity (although my husband might disagree), no TV and it was hot. So hot.
The closest town to Nobedi was an hour away.
There was nothing to see. Nothing to do. Other than get naked and sit in the mud to keep cool. Not us—the kids although we were a hair’s breadth away.
On one of our drives in and around this ‘middle of the gamadoelas’, we found an actual animal sanctuary—this saved the day and we spent a lot of time there. It was here that I was bitten by a lion (although my husband might disagree).
On the day of the attack, we bundled in the car; excited to see some wildlife at the sanctuary down the road. We were especially looking forward to petting a little lion cub that roamed around the reserve. No time was wasted upon our arrival—out the car and in with the animals. It didn’t take long to spot the lion. He was strolling around the picnic area, begging for a stroke on the head…
…and I was happy to oblige.
He was so soft and cute, and then he was up in my face, practically mauling my arm. Look, see for yourself:
I’ve been telling my kids this story for years. It’s gone done in the annals of epic family history. The day that mom survived a lion bite. I have no idea why my now-teenage daughter Chloë had the cheek to roll her eyes practically out of her head when finally seeing the legend of the lion bite happening on screen in front of her very privileged face—after all, it’s not every day that one sees such a thing…in the heart of the gamadoelas, no less.
No idea at all (although my husband might disagree).
Storyteller: Bronwyn Koch
Co-Authors: Bronwyn Koch & Andrea Zanin
Bronwyn Koch lives in Germany with her husband and three kids. They both grew up in Edenvale (Johannesburg) in South Africa. She is currently learning German and navigating life in a new country, being a wife, mother and foreigner. Check out her blog: South African in Germany
