A tribute to Michiel Zeelie, the woodcutter. The last remaining true woodcutter and our neighbour here at Forest Edge Nature Lover’s Retreat.
In October 2018 we had to bid farewell to Hennie Zeelie, Michiels brother. The two brothers were inseparable since birth. This was a difficult time for Michiel. He was very confused and sad and wondered how he would wander these woods all by himself. We have always cared deeply for these two brothers and assured him that we would keep supporting him the same way as we did them. We would check in on them every couple of days, making sure their essentials were taken care of. We were always greeted by a humble face and a smile that could tell so many stories.
If only the Knysna forest could talk, as we mentioned the day Hennie passed, it would tell tales of early woodcutters and ox wagons, of how people grew their own food and lived in peace in the forest. Each tree tells his version of how they coexisted with the woodcutters, like the Hennie Brothers, and the animals.
Daleen Matthee well-known Author who produced many books in her lifetime, amongst those Fiela’s Child, Dreamforest, Circles in the Forest, as most South Africans have got to know as they were also prescribed as school literature, many of her stories were inspired by the lives of the Zeelie descendants are now the only tribute left to the Zeelie Brothers, and all those woodcutters before them.
Michiel and Hendrik (Hennie) Zeelie worked many years in the Goudveld Forests. They did hard labour, from planting veg to fixing ox wagons, chopping down trees and transporting them. The decades of hard manual labour etched on their faces. Two of the most humble people you could have ever met. They would walk up to 20km each day and not bother a soul while going about their daily business. They have great stories to tell about their history, and the history of the area, which takes you on a journey you would not soon forget, infused with a twist of humour.
Their years of living in amongst the Giant trees and all the elephants including our Knysna Elephants made them excellent translators of the wild. They could show you spoor and listen to bird noises and identity each one flawlessly while telling you the facts about them. They know the area like the back of their hands every nook and cranny of this beautiful forest we call home. Listing to their stories with a little bit of each of their memories poured into the tale, you can see the fond memories of a time gone by but still lives on in their hearts and minds, each story so captivating, heartfelt, and interesting leaving you wanting more.
The Zeelie Brothers were a huge part of our community and our history. No words can express the loss and the void that you have left behind.
Michiel, your roots have finally uprooted and the last “Giant Tree” has fallen. May you and Hennie once again be reunited in your forest of dreams once again as your legacy always lives on in our hearts.
We are honoured to have had you as a neighbour for the past 6 years and are able to share our tribute to you Michiel Zeelie. You will be sorely missed by everyone whose lives you touched.
Forest Greetings
