Remembering north’s lion man
“He was such an awesome person. I will never forget his wisdom and calmness".
Leon van Biljon (70), also known as the lion man from the north, was laid to rest last week Wednesday, at the Heatherdale cemetery after he was mauled by his beloved lions.
Van Biljon died when he was attacked by one of his own lions at the Mahala View Lion Game Lodge, 30km north of Cullinan, in the Dinokeng area on 20 August.
Paramedics and police were summoned to the scene at the time, but they were too late.
“My dad was, and I quote my son Julian, ‘wise beyond his years’,” said Van Biljon’s youngest daughter, Vicky McMillan.
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“He was ever the quiet observer that we admired. He was a goal-orientated person, but always showed his connection with God and nature. He loved the soil most and that’s where he returned to,” she said.
“Everyday was a new positive possibility for him. He told me he was happy and made sure I knew this. He is resting in peace.”
Van Biljon’s eldest daughter Leonette van Wyk said she had no reason to cry because “I know where my father is”.
“He was such an awesome person. I will never forget his wisdom and calmness,” Van Wyk said.
Tafadzwa Mlambo (28), a former waiter, also had fond memories of Van Biljon after he met him in 2017, at Ocean Basket in Ninapark.
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“When I tended to his table to serve him and his family, we started chatting. Leon then said to me he can see there is more to me than just being a waiter,” Mlambo said.
Van Biljon’s observation was spot on as Mlambo, who is a Zimbabwean national, had an honours degree but because he was struggling to get a job, he started working as a waiter to make ends meet.
“He always said it’s not on the outside what matters but what is on the inside.”
Mlambo believes because Van Biljon worked with lions, he could understand people on a deeper level.
Van Biljon and Mlambo exchanged numbers and started chatting over the phone on a regular basis, so much so that when Mlambo eventually landed his dream job in logistics, Van Biljon was one of the first persons Mlambo told.
“I even told him when I got a promotion and switched jobs again.”
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Mlambo said Van Biljon also taught him a lot about wildlife and lions.
“He always said if you respect an animal, the animal will respect you.”
It is for this reason that Mlambo felt deeply hurt when he read all the negative comments about Van Biljon’s death on social media.
“He was so down to earth and a very respectful man.”
Mlambo said they spoke about everything ranging from Van Biljon struggling with his eyesight and wanting to expand space for the lions.
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“Meeting Van Biljon was a real eye opener for me. Coming from Zimbabwe one reads a lot about racism in South Africa but he changed my mind completely.
“His warm-heartedness crossed all barriers of age, colour and race. The friendship I had with him was almost the same relationship I had with my late father,” Mlambo said.
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