A legendary voice lost for 60 years
Never broadcast, never published, and then it surfaced
“What worried me was whether he was going to kill me first, or eat me alive.”
That’s Harry Wolhuter. He’s an old man when he says it, remembering a night more than a hundred and twenty years ago. The recording is over sixty years old. And as far as anyone can tell it was never broadcast and never published. Then it disappeared, and it surfaced again only recently after I stumbled upon a LinkedIn post that mentioned its existence.
I first heard this story in primary school, on a tour to the Kruger National Park. A game ranger, attacked by a lion, and he lived. Years later I was working with my family in Jeppestown, driving up Wolhuter Street most days to get to Joburg Tyres, knowing exactly whose name was on the street. I never once imagined I’d hear him tell the story.
He does! The lions, the knife, the tree, the dog, and the four days it took to get him to a hospital. In his own voice, unhurried, in the way old men of a certain generation describe the worst night of their lives. And as if that’s not enough to make you press PLAY, Malcolm Gooding kindly stepped in to assist the narrative piece with his magical voice. ICYMI Malcolm is a real Boer War and wildlife buff (and olive farmer more recently).
I’m not going to spoil it for you. You can hear this legendary story for yourself. Did I mention it’s in his own words?! Yes, OK, I’m a little fanboyed out here and remain amazed that this recording exists at all, and that it ended up in our hands.
Joburg Tyres has been gone for years.
Wolhuter Street is still there.
And Harry’s knife, and the lion’s skin…? Listen to find out… ;-)
We loved making this. I hope it gets you too.
