CLIVE BENNETT


had three days in paris and then immediately sailed to south africa, where I worked for an international accounting firm in Johannesburg for three years. We absolutely loved it there and made a lot of friends. We loved the wildlife of africa and would spend weekends camping in Kruger park. “however, after our first child was born we decided to return to england. It didn’t seem fair to bring him up in south africa. It was the time of apartheid, troubles were predictable and we decided our children should grow up regarding england as their home.


“It was a fabulous life for colonials but it wasn’t real - more like being on holiday. so we faced reality and returned to Oxford.” after their return clive became a partner with Grant Thornton and quickly built his portfolio of clients. he then became managing partner of a group of eight offices and moved into the international role he was doing when he commuted from Kingswear. his love of south africa never waned and friendships were always maintained. When his three children grew older, he and Jill started going back. They’ve even recently bought


a share in a wilderness reserve in Botswana. clive said: “Our passion for african wildlife will never fade. We’ve had some really exciting moments, including narrowly escaping walking into a pride of lions and being chased by a hippo! We’ve been right up near herds of buffalo and had elephants wander into camp. so long as they don’t see you as a threat you’re safe. To be honest, it’s a lot more dangerous walking around london than a game reserve. “But visiting this type of game


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reserve is also an expensive passion, so when Jill saw the advert to buy into limpopo-lipadi and secure regular access, we jumped at it. “It’s on the Botswana side of the limpopo river (Botswana is the safest and most stable of african countries) and is, in fact, a long term conservation project. as owners we have a lot of freedom within the reserve as well as the opportunity to learn from rangers who’ve grown up in the bush. It’s a unique project which employs around 80 local people and it’s as close as you can get to owning a piece of africa.” although they love africa, clive and Jill will always head home to Kingswear. clive added: “We’re in a beautiful bubble down here, remote and removed from the rat race. It’s the type of place where you pinch yourself every morning. “We’ve cruised around the


West country and south Brittany for 20 years and can’t think of a better port to come into than Dartmouth.” anyone interested in joining The royal Dart yacht club can contact melinda at office@ royaldart.co.uk or visit www. royaldart.co.uk•


This interview and all previously published interviews in this magazine can be found on By The Dart’s website www.bythedart.co.uk


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