We would like to take this opportunity to share with you our story, as they usually say... “where it all began"...
There comes a time in your life when you realise that there is a greater purpose for your life and when it happen, you just know.
It’s true what they say about the things you are passionate about: "It is not random, it is your calling"
My name is Debbie Vermaak. I was born in a small town, Ellisras in Limpopo, South Africa. While growing up, our family spent weekends, school holidays & Christmas times with grandpa and grandma on the family farm in Bulgerivier, a few miles South of Ellisras. Grandpa had a dairy which supplied the town with milk. He also grew mielies, peanuts & quinces, until a terrible drought hit the country. Grandpa regularly took us hunting when all our cousins came together for visits. Most hunting took place at night, but only for springhare. As each year passed and we became more responsible, we had the occasional opportunity to hunt Impala, Kudu and Warthog. We were taught that you eat what you kill and therefor knew from a young age that you don’t just kill because you can or want to.
There were plenty of clay found on the farm at the Malmaniers river banks which Grandpa used to make clay oxes with his hands. He tried teaching me the art of making an ox, but being in the bush itself, hunting for Yellow hornbills and Go-away birds interested me way more. I believe my love for the bush and African Game developed because of these experiences growing up.
My husband Jan Vermaak has an equal love for the bush, African Game and all types of art that he can put together with his hands made out of African game parts. Jan stayed with Grandpa and Grandma in a small town Potgietersrus, today known as Mokopane for a few years. Grandpa build Donkey carts which he sold locally and exported to Botswana without any special machinery.
Grandma worked at a the local dairy, where Jan occasionally joined her as a small boy after school. She usually treated him with a slice of bread, covered with cream and a huge cup of coffee. Untill today, this is still his favourite treat.
Growing up in Ellisras for the remainder of his life, his love for the bushveld grew enormously. Weekends and holidays were spent on the farm with friends, hunting & fishing. Mom was the local hairdresser & as her love for the bush and African Game ran deep in her veins she did numerous African themed paintings.
As we grew up, we became best friends and after years realised we both shared a great love for Animals, Hunting, Fishing & African sunsets. We got married in 2012.
In 2013 an opportunity presented itself, by being offered management positions in the Taxidermy Industry. For the past several years we’ve gained a lot of experience, during which we realised that this is the industry we love and could easily build our lives living out our passion. Jan’s attention to detail evolved in the quality-output on hunting trophies over the years and he became fond of being able to bring hunted trophies in different poses and expressions alive again. I worked closely with National, as well as International clients, exporters & importers. I gained experience in the customer service field and even made a few new friends. During the month of June 2020, three months after the announcement of our National “Covid-19 Lockdown” we discussed goals, dreams and future plans. That’s when we realised we’ve already found our passion.
We believe, we have what it take to offer trophy hunters an out-of- this-world quality product and service.
“Something Africa” Taxidermy arts & crafts was born on the 16th of June 2020.
We will be offering a service to Local, as well as International trophy hunters. Our main focuses are artistry and care of every trophy or task, with all it entail, including the highest possible quality. As the company Directors, with a combined taxidermy experience of 14 years, we pride ourselves with a shining reputation within the hunting industry with regards to quality and service. Our team is filled with highly trained, capable and experienced staff who take pride in each and every trophy they work on. As a family-owned and managed company, we believe in working close together with all our artists, ensuring an "out of this world" quality hunting trophy & service experience to hunters, big and small around the Globe. We strive to exceed each client's expectations by taking care of every trophy, as if it's our own. Our processing time for mounted trophies is estimated at 10-12 months calculated from date of deposit received and 4-6 months for dip and disinfect. Our aim is to warm up your hunter-heart in such a way that you walk out of our workshop feeling like a million dollars! Our most recommended shipping company is Zingela Forwarders, who has over 10 years experience in the field. We have formed a strong working relationship with them over the years. We do however believe the final decision with regards to the preferred shippers ultimately remains with the client.
Be assure of our best service and assistance throughout your journey with us!
Kind Regards Debbie & Jan Vermaak
