Mr Mmamini Frans Malebane

Frans was born and raised in the Haenertsburg area at Glenshiel Farm, where his parents worked as farm laborers. His love for African wildlife and nature was ignited at a young age while herding cows and goats at Wegraackbosch Organic Farm & Dairy during school holidays and weekends. Camping and hiking expeditions with the Thompson family further deepened his appreciation for nature. Upon completing secondary school, Frans pursued his dreams at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC).

In 2012, while studying a bridging course in Introduction to Conservation and Field Ranger at SAWC, Frans was selected to enroll in the Further Education and Training Course in Professional Hunting, also presented by SAWC. He was among the first group of previously disadvantaged individuals to undergo this robust professional hunting training, which included 18 months of theoretical training and a practical season with a hunting outfitter. Frans excelled in the course, earning the top student award and a buffalo cow hunt in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve from the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA).

Frans completed his professional hunting apprenticeship with the esteemed hunting safari operator Dries Van Coller. After meeting the requirements to become a licensed professional hunter, he worked for various hunting companies in Limpopo Province, driven by his passion for the African bush and its wildlife.

In 2019, facing a lack of full-time and sustainable job opportunities in South Africa’s hunting industry, Frans decided to enhance his knowledge by enrolling at the University of Limpopo for a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Planning and Management. During his first year at UL, he co-founded an association and served as its deputy chairman, later being elected as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on March 1, 2024.

In 2020, Frans founded Ditau Africa Safaris, his beloved hunting company. Balancing his roles as a full-time student, emerging entrepreneur, and executive committee member of SABHSSA, he attained his dangerous game professional hunting license and hunting outfitter permits in Limpopo in 2022. By 2023, Frans had successfully completed his studies and devoted his time to the association and his company.

Frans has had the privilege of attending the Dallas Safari Club Convention in the United States in 2022 and 2023, an incubation program by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to expose emerging hunting outfitters to international hunting shows.