MAKONDE – The cosy companionship of ordinary pets like cats and dogs is not for him – he prefers the company of snakes!

“Snakes are the second oldest creatures on earth and they don’t deserve their bad name. It is their uniqueness that fascinates me. They are really very affectionate creatures. Many people say they will never touch a snake, but when they do, they find that they are not cold and slimy, but very warm animals,” said the python hunter, Obert Zuluboy Mbedzi (22), who stays at Makonde village, north of Thohoyandou.

Mbedzi’s fascination with snakes started in 1995 when he caught his first python alongside the Mutale River. Asked how he catches the snakes without the fear of endangering his life, Mbedzi said: “Pythons are usually found alongside the rivers and when I go there, I make sure that I have a number of dogs with me. When a python sees dogs, it freezes and it will never crawl away. The dogs will bark at it and bite its tail and it becomes powerless. I am not afraid of the python because I know it is not poisonous. I will then easily catch by its neck. I believe those snakes recognize me, because they are very cooperative.”

Catching snakes has never been an easy task for Mbedzi since some community members point fingers at him, thinking that he uses muti and some even say he is out of mind. The most unfortunate thing is that there are only few people who understand him.

“I think some people do not understand my ability to handle snakes and they think I am extraordinary. I’m just like anyone else, but it is just that I prefer the company of snakes.”

Mbedzi said his future plans include studying towards nature conservation and establishing a snake park in his own yard.