Stevenson Hamilton – More than just clothing!

In the heart of South Africa lies a wilderness that echoes the tales of an extraordinary man, who dedicated his life to the preservation of nature and the spirit of adventure – James Stevenson Hamilton. When you think of wildlife conservation in South Africa, your mind conjures up pictures of rugged men with leather hats, neutral clothing colours and vellies.

Who was James Stevenson Hamilton?

James Stevenson Hamilton is one of these rugged men, celebrated for being the first warden of the Kruger national park. On his first visit to South Africa, James Stevenson Hamilton saw his first family of Reedbuck and the impression stayed with him for the rest of his life.

The Sabi Game Reserve

In 1902, James Stevenson Hamilton arrived at the relatively unknown Sabi Game Reserve, which would later become the renowned Kruger National Park. Facing many challenges, including rampant poaching, he tirelessly strived to secure the future of the park.

His first order of business as the warden was to prohibit any shooting or hunting. He believed “that if there were no shooting if animals were left to live in the veld as they had lived before man came on the scene, they would lose their fear of human beings and flock to the area that had once been described as red with impala.”

Poachers soon realised that he was serious about the “no shooting” rule, and many were caught, “including, on one occasion a party of senior policemen” who were caught killing a giraffe and a wildebeest and were convicted and fined for their crimes.

The Kruger National Park – Previously known as the Sabi Game Reserve.

Later he went back to Johannesburg and Pretoria where he started to convince companies in the vicinity to lend him land, eventually giving him a huge block in a remote corner of what is formerly known as Transvaal. By doing this, he created the space known today as Kruger National Park, extending the reserve from 3100 square kilometres to 36000 kilometres.

In 1912, he first presented his idea for the nationalization of the reserve and in 1927, the park opened to the public.

“Few can sojourn long within the unspoilt wilderness of a game sanctuary, surrounded on all sides by its confiding animals, without absorbing its atmosphere; the Spirit of the wild is quick to assert supremacy, and no man of any sensibility can resist her” – James Stevenson-Hamilton.

The Stevenson Hamilton clothing brand

Inspired by the extraordinary life of James Stevenson Hamilton, a company called Promark, created the Stevenson Hamilton clothing brand as a tribute to his legacy. This renowned brand seamlessly blends the spirit of adventure with style and exceptional craftmanship in its offerings.

Drawing inspiration from the untamed beauty of nature, the Stevenson Hamilton clothing brand captures the essence of adventure in its designs. The patterns, textures and colours echo the rugged landscapes that Stevenson Hamilton once roamed, evoking a sense of wanderlust and a deep connection to the wild.

Stevenson Hamilton’s clothing range is developed and manufactured in South Africa, meaning the clothing is ideal for our harsh climate, while also being robust and hard-wearing. Their unique camo pattern is effective in all vegetation types and is used by amateur and professional hunters and anti-poaching units alike.

The camo pattern consists of eleven amalgamated patterns of different animal shapes and skin patterns, blended into the background of the Acacia tree pattern. You can spot the giraffe, hyena, elephant trunk or two birds on a branch.

Visit the AgMarket Online Marketplace to see the range of hats, shirts, trousers, belts, and camo wear, or click here to view the range.