Ben Norton
1929-2011
Ben Norton was born in Aliwal North Eastern Cape and died peacefully in his home in Amber Valley, Howick Natal on the 27th of October 2011.
He spent his last few years in Somerset West,Cape and Howick, Natal.
He was a remarkable man, conservationist, hunter and fisherman, leading and innovative farmer, raconteur and loving husband, father and grandfather. Those of us who knew him well knew him to be a man of action and also ideas. He pushed his strongly held views on a large variety of subjects with determination and sometimes downright cussedness.
His farm Dahywe became a showpiece with his leadership in the use of legumes in pastures and his well stocked game park. He was also a top cattleman with his herd of Brahmins. He was active in organised agriculture being the Chairman of the Cattle Producers Association and a member of C.F.U. Council, also taking a prominent role in the Mashonaland Hunters Association with an interest in conservation education.
Those of us lucky enough to know him well had wonderful trips to the Zambesi with Jenny and him and his property at Chirundu was a mecca for starting fishing and canoeing trips.
Jenny and Ben’s son Larry the well known wildlife artist in a commentary on his work titled “In the Valley of Memories” a wonderful painting of Mana says the following.
“The three buffalo painted in the front of the herd reminded me of my Dad, Ben Norton and his two good friends, John Wood and Bill Francis. The three of them hunted together, fished together, argued furiously across campfires and walked untold miles through dry jesse bush. They gave us kid’s incredible memories, experiences, bellowing reprimands and endless humour”.
All three of those great characters are sadly now no longer with us and this really is the end of an era.
In common with many of us he suffered hugely from the wanton destruction wreaked upon his property in the guise of so-called land reform.
I am personally grateful that Ann and I had the privilege of knowing Ben Norton. He was the kind of person who added a great deal to our lives. We shall miss him but we know he is in a better place. He is survived by his wife Jenny and his son Larry and his family.
Jim Sinclair