The Lion Rangers program is deeply saddened to report the death of Sesfontein Lion Ranger Pienaar Muniozondjo Kasupi, who passed away unexpectedly on 18 July 2024.

Pienaar was among the first Lion Rangers to join the program in late 2017. An experienced and knowledgeable Conservancy Game Guard, he brought a deep wealth of knowledge about the natural resources of his conservancy and the surrounding landscapes. Pienaar grew up herding his family’s livestock in Kunene, where he came to know the natural environment and developed a sense of identification with its wildlife. As a Game Guard he was responsible for monitoring his community’s wildlife in the Ganamub and Hoanib river areas: it is a testament to his work that Sesfontein is well-known as an area where wildlife has been able to flourish. A seasoned tracker, Pienaar was chosen by his community as a Lion Ranger due to his depth of experience safely monitoring lions and other large carnivores.

As part of the Lion Rangers program, Pienaar was a natural leader – always willing to help mentor and instruct younger Rangers. Even as an experienced and senior member of his community, Pienaar never avoided the hard work of tracking in the field, or deployment to remote and rugged areas to monitor wildlife.

A committed family man and livestock farmer, Pienaar was looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren and children when his life was cut-short following an automobile accident while off duty. The Lion Rangers program helped celebrate his life by contributing to the cost of his tombstone; Mr. Uakendisa Muzuma attended the funeral, along with many of the Lion Rangers from Sesfontein and neighbouring conservancies. Muzuma reported a somber, well-attended ceremony and celebration of Pienaar’s life.

We remember and Pienaar’s steadfast work and contribution to ensuring the conservation of wildlife and simultaneous commitment to rural development in the Kunene Region. He will be missed.