From Pofadder to Royalty: An Unexpected Artistic Journey
- Scats Esterhuyse
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
It was the year 2003. We had planned an ambitious trip to the Richtersveld with our BMW 316i, "dolphin shape". As we hit the road, excitement mingled with the dust kicked up by our tires, but as late afternoon shadows lengthened, we found ourselves in Pofadder, deciding to stay the night at the local hotel. That evening, we had supper in a dark, gloomy dining room under the watchful eye of a parrot named Diesel, perched silently in the corner. With a place called "Pofadder" (Afrikaans for "puff adder") and a parrot named Diesel, the stage was set for something unusual.
It was getting late and it dawned on me – we wouldn't make it to the Richtersveld. While chatting with the hotel manager about our predicament, he asked whether we had seen Pella. Not knowing anything about this place, we were intrigued to learn that most of South Africa's dates come from there. The next day, we drove the 20 kilometers to Pella and found ourselves transported to a rugged, dry desert hamlet with dusty roads, palm trees, and children playing in the dirt – a scene both foreign and distinctly South African.
We headed home with a trove of desert material – not what we had planned, but authentic South Africa in all its contrasting beauty. That's how art often unfolds; inspiration appears where you least expect it.
After some time, I began planning and painting from the reference material we'd collected. Eventually, I completed about five paintings of Pella, along with a piece featuring a small bridge and a lonely bird flying near Kroonstad. I delivered them to Hyde Park Gallery, which was promoting and exhibiting my work at the time.
One Friday morning, I phoned the owner of Hyde Park Gallery, checking if there had been any positive response to my work. I was hopeful for good news. He informed me there had been nothing, not even a consignment inquiry. The disappointment was palpable.
Then, Saturday afternoon, my phone rang. It was the gallery owner calling again, but his tone had completely transformed – almost reverential. He told me a man had walked into the gallery with an entourage of men behind him. This mysterious visitor had proceeded to circle the gallery, staring intently at each piece, before asking for all my work to be removed for purchase. Without saying much more, he threw his credit card on the counter and declared, “Request the artist to be on my private game reserve on Thursday."
That man was His Highness Prince Torki Bin Mohammed Al Saud, and thus began the unexpected artistic journey from Pofadder to royalty.
The journey to the Fahad private game reserve on the banks of the Limpopo River became one of the defining highlights of my 29 years as a fine artist. I arrived during Ramadan and was honored to be seated next to the Prince for a wonderful evening meal. During my stay, I enjoyed a traditional South African braai with Prince Torki and his son, and was introduced to a special tea the Prince had told me about. Each day, a driver was allocated to me, allowing the joy of gathering material and inspiration for the new body of work commissioned by the Prince.
It was with profound sadness that I later learned of Prince Torki's passing. What began as a simple, redirected exploration of the South African landscape had led to an unexpected royal connection – a testament to art's power to transcend boundaries and create meaningful connections across cultures.
Scats Esterhuyse March 2025
Additional Reading:
Overview of HH Prince Torki Bin Mohammed Al Saud
HH Prince Torki Bin Mohammed Al Saud was a member of the Saudi royal family, known primarily for his significant involvement in equestrian sports, specifically showjumping and horse breeding. He was the founder of the Old Lodge Stud, located in Ashdown Forest, Uckfield, East Sussex, UK, which spans 180 acres and is dedicated to breeding showjumping horses. One of his notable achievements was breeding Sultan V, a horse that contributed to the Saudi Arabian team's bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. This success earned him respect worldwide in the equestrian community. Additionally, he was a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was passionate about showjumping, producing approximately fifteen foals a year, all registered with an AES passport.
Articles:
Tribute on Prince Torki's death, focusing on showjumping achievements:
Hierdie is ’n absolute genot om te lees, en die kuns vang die landskap met verstommende presisie vas. Die portret van Pella het my asem weggeslaan—’n meesterlike uitbeelding van ongerepte skoonheid. Ware skoonheid skuil dikwels op die mees onverwagte plekke.