History - Jejane Private Nature Reserve

For more than 50 years, the farm that has become known as Jejane has been a private nature reserve.

Here’s a brief history of how we got there.

1967

Property proclaimed a Private Nature Reserve under the nature Conservation Ordinance (Administrator’s Proclamation No. 282 of 1967)

1988

Peter le Sueur Milstein, a conservationist qualified in agriculture and zoology with 20 years of nature conservation experience was taken to visit the then Fauncap Kwaratynplaas (which was in liquidation) by an old friend, Lolly Sussens (from Tshukudu). He was impressed by the farm’s potential, even though there was severe poaching. The farm was purchased for R1.1million on a deed of sale, a purchase price of around R750/ha.
From the outset, it was planned as a shared initiative, with 30 shares being offered for sale at a price of R50,000 each. Peter Milstein and his partner, Henry Radford (Harry) Savage, each received a share each as the “founders and drivers” of the initiative.
The farm was officially named Vienna Game Farm (Pty) Ltd.
The game on the farm was valued at R21,000 with game estimates of 90 Impala, 21 Blue Wildebeest, 16 Burchell’s Zebra, 4 Giraffe, 6 Kudu, 20 Warthogs, some Waterbuck, Grey Duiker, Steenbuck and Bushbuck.

30 April 1988

First formal meeting of shareholders was held at 07h30 for 08h00 at Irene Primary School. The purpose of the meeting was to formally constitute the Company, draft the Articles of Association and the Shareholders Agreement.

14 June 1988

Alan Ross submitted the first guarantee for the farm, and the first executive committee was elected: Frank Douwes(Chairman), Gerrie Griffieon, Barry Kraut, Dieter Mandlmeier, Peter Milstein, Harry Savage, Mike Snaddon, Keith van Heerden. Alan Ross was co-opted onto the committee.

17 June 1988

Guarantees of purchase presented to the liquidators.

20 June 1988

First Executive meeting held in Glenfurness at the Snaddon residence. Two important matters were discussed: the recruitment of new members and the allocation of sites.

August 1988

Johan du Preez surveyed the sites. Alan Ross jokingly named the main access road the N1, a name it bears today. One of the initial aesthetic guidelines was agreed: sites to have one corner of the house within 50m of the specific numbered peg. At this time, 186 bird species had been recorded as well as sightings of Side striped jackal, Aardwolf, Civet, Large spotted genet, Scrub hare, Bushbabies and Honey Badgers. Evidence of lion and leopard found.

1 Oct 1988

Price of unsold shares increased to R55,000.

20 Oct 1988

Sites finally allocated to shareholders.

November 1988

Helmuth Wessels (Site 24) erected the first dwelling on Vienna, an old army tent.

Wildlife [photo] — Photo: Stuart Hancock