::: Gametracker Staff Tribute Read By Rufus Kihatu :::

I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Gametrackers and also the many colleagues, safari guides, the cooks and those people we do safaris with to convey our condolences to Joyce and the family; the Cianda family who were very close to us, cousins, Jadesea staff and many of us who have been left by a man we drew inspiration from.

I met Halewijn about 20 years ago that is in 1989. I am a witness of what was spoken here earlier that he was a man who supported the welfare and the good of others. I am a witness of what he did in Lake Turkana to uplift the lives of those people. I am also a beneficiary of this man lying here. He touched me in a different way. I had come to Nairobi as a young man, working as a messenger. He encouraged me to study and join tourism as there was a future for me in the tour trade. He paid my college fees and sharpened my skills.

Over many years as we grew in skill and profession we met frequently on safaris and stood in many places where there were no bridges, as time and again when on safari, there are surprises, such as washed out bridges and roads. So we would converse as we waited for the waters to subside so that we could cross with the vehicles.

Halewijn to those of us in tourism we see as a captain, a leader, a mentor. Why do I say that, on many excursions we took to Lake Turkana, river Omo, the rough waters of Lake Turkana. many a time we were with him. He instilled his work ethic in me. I saw a man who was an ambassador of this country, selling his product that is tourism to promote the good name of this country. Going further to out of his way to improve in his own way relations of this country with the neighbouring Ethiopia.

 I remember him as a man who didn’t take discipline for granted and ensured it was upheld at all times. I remember I met him one time in Baringo – our trucks parked near each other. Some of the staff decided to sneek in a local bar to have one or two but instead they had one too many. I remember my cousin Bahati was with him when the following morning the person who was a cook came staggering back to make breakfast in the morning. Halewijn was mad, and said we can't allow this and he called Bahati (a helper)  and said “can  you take over now” Bahati was like “can I now suddenly become a cook”. Halewijn told Bahati to take over and he took over from there. (Currently Bahati is an experienced Safari cook) 

Halewijn was someone who showed us respect for work, discipline and professionalism.  I see many of us are here today because of what he had instilled in us. We cannot challenge the creator but we can say to the late Halewijn whenever we are leaving from our houses going on safari ‘Safari Njema’.  We will miss him. We cannot wear his boots there are too big for us but God will stand with us and the inspiration he instilled in us will continue to do much of what he did. He touched many children and may God rest him in peace.

God Rest His Soul In Peace.