Marlice van Vuuren

Marlice van Vuuren

Marlice with a cheetah at Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
Born 14 May 1976
Residence Namibia
Occupation Conservationist and broadcaster
Spouse(s) Dr. Rudie Van Vuuren
Children Zacheo, Nicklai

Marlice Elretha Jansen van Vuuren born 14 May 1976 as Marlice Elrethra van der Merwe, is a popular Namibian conservationist who grew up surrounded by animals on her parents' farm in Namibia where for more than 30 years injured or orphaned animals have found refuge. Marlice also grew up closely with the San Bushmen community and is one of only a handful of white people who can speak their language.

Marlice has been working with animals in film productions since the age of 13 and has worked on a number of well known movies with various celebrities including Angelina Jolie (see Marlice's portfolio). Marlice starred in a documentary about her life "Marlice – A Vision for Africa: A film by Philip Selkirk" in 2008.[1]

Marlice and her three legged cheetah Lucky, featured in an advert for a Volkswagen Golf, shown on South African TV in May 2009.[2]

Family

Marlice & Rudie van Vuuren with their son, Zacheo

Marlice married Dr. Rudie van Vuuren in December 2000, then in December 2006 their boy Zacheo was born and in 2011 their second boy Nicklai was born. Together, Marlice and Rudie run Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary and Lodge.

Conservation achievements

Together, Marlice and her husband work to preserve both African wildlife and the culture of Namibia's original inhabitants (The San community).

In 2003, Marlice and Rudie, along with their pharmacist friend, Chris Heunis and Jan Verburg opened the N/a'an ku sê (Naankuse) Lifeline Clinic at Epukiro, Namibia where the San Bushmen community can be treated free of charge. The Lifeline Clinic is entirely funded by voluntary donations and provides primary healthcare to over 3,500 patients a year in this remote area.

In 2004, Marlice and Rudie bought a 10,000 hectare piece of farmland, 42 km outside of Windhoek to establish their own animal reserve. The Bushman word N/a'an ku sê means 'God will protect us'. They opened N/a'an ku sê's Charity Lodge & Wildlife Sanctuary in 2007. The Sanctuary accommodates mostly orphaned and injured animals that cannot be released safely back into the wild. N/a'an ku sê lodge is an article 21 organisation which donates any profits back into the conservation projects and work with the San Bushman community.

Marlice and Rudie started N/a'an ku sê's Carnivore Research Project to help conserve big cats in early 2008 and the Clever Cubs School, funded by the Clabile Trust, for the San Bushmen children was opened at N/a'an ku sê in November 2009.

N/a'an ku sê works to improve the lives of the marginalised Bushmen community through education, employment, healthcare and improved living conditions. [3]

Filming portfolio

Documentaries featuring Marlice van Vuuren:

Commercials featuring Marlice van Vuuren and the animals at Naankuse:

Films featuring the animals at Naankuse:

Wildlife photographers whose work includes the San Bushman and animals at Naankuse:

References

  1. ↑ Marlice – The Film
  2. ↑ VW Golf ad featuring Marlice van Vuuren
  3. ↑ Sunday Night Documentary about Marlice van Vuuren and Naankuse

External links

Video clips

Other websites

Articles