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Outlook: Lessons in grief from the South African wilderness

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Sicelo Mbatha smiles at the camera in the field

22/12/2021 GMT

Lessons in grief from the South African wilderness

BBC World Service - Outlook, Lessons in grief from the South African wilderness

Working as a wilderness guide helped Sicelo Mbatha confront the loss of his best friend

As a child, Sicelo Mbatha was traumatised after his friend was attacked by a crocodile. Years later, observing nature at close quarters helped him process his loss.

Sicelo Mbatha grew up in the remote South African region of Kwahlabisa, on the doorstep of a game reserve. Every day, he and his friends - including his best friend Sanele - would walk many miles to get to school and back. One day, on their way home, they approached their final river crossing and children started screaming - there was a crocodile. Tragically, Sicelo witnessed a brutal attack on Sanele that day. The experience traumatised him for years.  But rather than turning away from nature, and being fearful of wildlife, he was drawn to it. He wanted to understand the behaviour of wild animals, so pursued his dream to become a wilderness guide. It was by being close to the often brutal world of animals that he would finally come to terms with what had happened, and find peace after grief. 

In Paris, there's an historic taxidermy shop called Deyrolle that's been an inspiration for famous artists like Salvador Dali. It's even featured in movies including Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. Reporter Saskia Edwards met the owner Prince Louis Albert de Broglie to find out more about his passion for stuffed animals. This interview was first broadcast in March 2017. 

Peter Wohlleben is a tree expert with an affinity for forests. He’s the best selling author of The Hidden Life of Trees which detailed his research about the social lives of trees and how they communicate through a network of fungus. This interview was first broadcast in April 2020.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar

(Photo: Sicelo Mbatha. Credit: Bridget Pitt)

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