As I approach my late fifties in my hands I feel a twinge of arthritis, my back reminds me of a motorcycle accident and I have to make an effort to remain fit.

When I took on Munyamadzi some 15 years ago the previous PH had tried to retire a frail-looking elderly tracker named Eliam and I tended to agree that he had seen the best of his days however he had much knowledge of the area and the movements of game so we kept him on.

I well remember Thor Kirchner and I were hunting with a client up in some hill country for Buff and took a great bull at dusk. Due to the humidity, we caped it out by firelight and had to carry it out. I was somewhat surprised to see Eliam step forward to help carry the oversized head which is something I doubt I could have done then. Incredibly he maneuvered the rocky incline in the dark to the vehicle without resting or pause. An amazing feat for an elderly man.



I then noticed when hunting he was first from the car and first to hang a bait. That his energy and strength seemed limitless.

When Thor took over the project I simply presumed that Eliam would be retired but now and again when I returned to hunt there was Eliam at the forefront again. I thought he was about 75 when I first met him and God only knows his true age.

Today he is still the head tracker and still the first to undertake arduous chores. Never have I come across such a tenacious and hard individual. He can out walk us all in stifling heat without the need of food or water.

Now and again you come across remarkable men and this is one that I was privileged to have met.

Fairgame, That is an impressive story. Eliam must be a mighty little man.

That's a very nice tribute. Well done.

Please thank Eliam for the inspiration.Nice picture,BTW.It's great to be a hunter.

Impressive indeed..

Very nice tribute
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That’s impressive!

Imagine if the general population had that kind of attitude, that kind of work ethic.

I feel like a wimp compared to him....

Great tribute, God bless Eliam.It's funny how I remember every tracker, and their names.

Excellent - sounds like a man worth knowing.

Stories like this are why our modern-world hyperfocus on age and expectations are ridiculous. Just keep on keeping on.

Just proves us old people do have value. Rock on Mr. Eliam!

One has to admire a man like that.

Such noble character!

Hear hear!

Amazing and inspiring! What a stud!

Eliam, is indeed a remarkable man. He is still working for us. I have never met a man as dedicated to anti-poaching as Eliam is.
He wants to retire at the end of this year, but then again he has been saying so the past 3 years.

Thanks for posting this one, fairgame. Every once in awhile I get to feeling old. And then I realize that most who can't do the stuff I do at my age have not made it to my age (LOL). Hopefully Eliam has more good years ahead of him.

Don't let him retire Thor. He'll be dead in a few months if he doesn't have anything to look forward to and to do. Keep him going in some form or fashion for you.

Very nice to hear about people like that! Gives us all something to aspire to.

Remarkable, indeed. A true inspiration.

Bravo, Eliam!

Sounds like it. Was it Satchel Paige who said how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Always thought those were words to live by.

..."Don't let the old man in."

Ol' Satch knew of what he spoke.

One cool, hale and hearty dude!

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Sounds like it. Was it Satchel Paige who said how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Always thought those were words to live by.

Satchel Paige was a fount of wisdom. He also said: "Never look back. Something might be gaining on you."

Mzee for sure!

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And I imagine he is humble as the day is long as well.

Great tale Andrew and all to often we - especially on the client side - forget that there is a lot more to the whole show than the client and the PH. Men like him in the quiet background that contribute a great deal to keeping the wheels on and rolling!

Thanks for posting.

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