Tswale, the Mpumalanga elephant, happy in ‘paradise'

The Citizen

02-05-2025

Tswale, the renowned Mpumalanga elephant, is thriving in his new environment.
Amos Jivendava, who has been his handler and keeper for 21 years, says the animal can at last just live a peaceful life at the beautiful, undisclosed location where he is now roaming free. 'It is paradise for him.'
Lowvelder had the privilege of interviewing Jivendava on Tuesday.
Standing next to the majestic Tswale, Jivendava said: 'You can see in his eyes he is happy.' The two share a 21-year bond as they have journeyed together over the years.
When the elephant bull was rescued many years ago, he was taken to a facility in the Tzaneen area where he was trained. Jivendava became his handler and has never left his side.
Later, Tswale was relocated to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, where the public could interact with him and go on elephant-back safaris.
During Covid-19, Tswale was moved to Lowhills, where he continued to interact with tourists, with Jivendava always nearby to keep a watchful eye on him.
@lowvelder
After years of service and survival, Tswale now splashes in rivers and roams wild, finally living the life every elephant deserves – with his beloved handler at his side. Tswale, the renowned Mpumalanga elephant, is thriving in his new environment. Amos Jivendava, who has been his handler and keeper for 21 years, says the animal can at last just live a peaceful life at the beautiful, undisclosed location where he is now roaming free. 'It is paradise for him.' Lowvelder had the privilege of interviewing Jivendava on Tuesday. Standing next to the majestic Tswale, Jivendava said: 'You can see in his eyes he is happy.' The two share a 21-year bond as they have journeyed together over the years. When the elephant bull was rescued many years ago, he was taken to a facility in the Tzaneen area where he was trained. Jivendava became his handler and has never left his side. Later, Tswale was relocated to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, where the public could interact with him and go on elephant-back safaris. During Covid-19, Tswale was moved to Lowhills, where he continued to interact with tourists, with Jivendava always nearby to keep a watchful eye on him. On February 21, Tswale was removed from Lowhills Farm by a professional relocation team, under the supervision of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), WeWild Africa and Provet Wildlife Services, after Shofeeds, the owners of the farm, obtained a court order from the Mpumalanga High Court. Tswale's owner, Sonell Joubert, who lived on Lowhills Farm, is currently in jail on a murder charge. Far removed from the drama, Jivendava says Tswale now chooses his path and direction, while he and a guard follow. 'He loves playing in the river, as he has never been in a place with a flowing river. He can drink as much water as he wants and can fully submerge himself. Sometimes only his trunk is visible, and he can stay in the water for up to four hours. He can be an elephant.' The relocation and trans-portation process apparently didn't have much of an impact on Tswale. 'When he left the truck, he immediately started eating marulas and moving around,' Jivendava smilingly said. There is an abundance of trees and food, which Tswale is embracing. The MTPA confirmed that Tswale was first held at a holding facility in Skukuza for a few days before he was moved to his current location. Tswale has undergone two tuberculosis (TB) tests, and both were negative. Jivendava was also tested for TB, and the results were negative. Because of his close interactions with Tswale, the possibility of transmitting any disease had to be eliminated. The MTPA said that once final test results have come back, the elephant can be relocated to any reserve in the country. For now, Tswale and Jivendava are meandering the mountain and a tracking device on his right back leg ensures that the elephant doesn't wander too far off during one of his excursions. #tswale #elephants #elephantsoftiktok
♬ original sound – Lowveld Media
On February 21, Tswale was removed from Lowhills Farm by a professional relocation team, under the supervision of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), WeWild Africa and Provet Wildlife Services, after Shofeeds, the owners of the farm, obtained a court order from the Mpumalanga High Court.
Tswale's owner, Sonell Joubert, who lived on Lowhills Farm, is currently in jail on a murder charge.
Far removed from the drama, Jivendava says Tswale now chooses his path and direction, while he and a guard follow. 'He loves playing in the river, as he has never been in a place with a flowing river. He can drink as much water as he wants and can fully submerge himself. Sometimes only his trunk is visible, and he can stay in the water for up to four hours. He can be an elephant.'
The relocation and transportation process apparently didn't have much of an impact on Tswale. 'When he left the truck, he immediately started eating marulas and moving around,' Jivendava smilingly said.
There is an abundance of trees and food, which Tswale is embracing.
The MTPA confirmed that Tswale was first held at a holding facility in Skukuza for a few days before he was moved to his current location.
Tswale has undergone two tuberculosis (TB) tests, and both were negative. Jivendava was also tested for TB, and the results were negative. Because of his close interactions with Tswale, the possibility of transmitting any disease had to be eliminated.
The MTPA said that once final test results have come back, the elephant can be relocated to any reserve in the country.
For now, Tswale and Jivendava are meandering the mountain and a tracking device on his right back leg ensures that the elephant doesn't wander too far off during one of his excursions.
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