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Meet Joe Masindi, from cattle herder to lion dodger

For most people, a lion pawing at the side of your vehicle while a wounded nyala thrashes against broken glass would be the stuff of nightmares.

By Maanda Bele • 5 October 2025
Meet Joe Masindi, from cattle herder to lion dodger

Safari guide Joe Masindi's life of grit, from cattle herder to security operative, prepared him for a harrowing encounter with a nyala and lions. His deep connection to nature and unwavering calm make him a legend.

For most people, a lion pawing at the side of your vehicle while a wounded nyala thrashes against broken glass would be the stuff of nightmares. For Limpopo-born safari guide Edzisani Joe Masindi, it was just another day in the bush.

On 14 August this year, on the eve of his birthday, Masindi found himself caught in the middle of nature’s rawest battle. A nyala slammed into the side mirror of his guide vehicle, shattering the glass and nearly forcing its way into the cab. Seconds later,...

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