ZOOLOGIST l GOLFER l WRITER I SPORTS PRESENTER I ANIMAL LOVER
No stranger to thriving outside the box and dancing against the mainstream, South African JOANNE LEFSON has engaged in a multitude of vast experiences that have invaluably shaped her perspective and moulded her life’s path. Most notably, a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology (Texas A&M University), a professional athlete (golf), columnist (Complete Golfer Magazine), TV Sports Presenter (Super Sport), and a whirlwind romance with American folk singer, John Denver.
In 2004 Joanne adopted a dog from a Cape Town shelter whom she called Oscar. The unusual mutt redirected Joanne’s passion towards the plight of shelter dogs and in 2009, the duo teamed up to navigate the world. They traveling across 43 countries over 5 continents in 9 months to inspire dog adoption and the ‘World WOOF Tour’ remains a first of its kind. Joanne later took an Indian street dog called ‘Rupee’ up Mount Everest. Another first. In 2016, Joanne founded a dynamic dog adoption agency ‘ Oscars Arc’ in Oscar’s memory and a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals ‘ Farm Sanctuary SA‘ – with a painting pig hogging the limelight. Oscars Arc has saved the lives of thousands of shelter dogs since its inception in 2017 and Pigcasso’s Abstract Expressionist masterpieces are sold all over the world and have raised over 3 million rand for the sanctuary.
Lefson’s unique collaborations with Pigcasso, Oscar and Rupee have all been featured on all global media outlets on a regular basis. These include ABC, NBC, CBS News, SABC, SKY News, ZDF, CNN and National Geographic. Print publications include The London Times, Sunday Times, USA Today and Spiegel. Lefson has also appeared live on the Jeremy Vine Show (2020), Good Morning America (2012 and 2019), Saturday Night Live (2019) and ‘Carte Blanche’ (2009, 2010 and 2013) Lefson was also interviewed for Autopsy: The last hours of John Denver – and was an associate producer of the 2015 documentary, Moved By Love, a feature about the Donkey sanctuary in Northern India that Lefson established in 2007 and which was also entered into the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.
The inspiring life journey continues in celebration of Oscar’s legacy, with the passion to find a unique voice for vulnerable animals within a lost, loud world defined by human disconnect.
Q&A
1. What’s your biggest achievement / Something you’re proud of yourself for?
“In 2009 I travelled around in 2009 with my adopted dog, Oscar – we travelled to over 43 countries visiting schools and shelters with the aim of promoting dog adoption. It was not only the adventure of a lifetime- but it was also a first – and I gave thanks for being able to travel with my bestie every day for all the right reasons and for having the means to do so. This, coupled with collaborating with my painting Pig “Pigcasso” – both projects are two very unique creative projects that I am proud of for the simple reason that they honour my creativity and also are channelled my passion for animal welfare. ie I am proud to have followed my passions and to drive awareness for something that I feel so strongly about. Very lucky to be able to act out my passion and to be in a position where I have never had to ask ‘What am I here on Earth to do”.
2. What’s your biggest fear / something that holds you back?
“ I think the fear of not being good enough drives so many people- and thats me too. When i was very young with busy parents, just being was not anough (I love my parents by the way) While I am grateful for this drive, I have to say that I am also working on acceptance, kindness and compassion for myself (No matter what I do) Its basically the opposite of how I have lived my life thus far – not so easy! This doesn’t mean that I stop doing what i do; it means that no matter what i do, I do it with loving kindness.“
3. What’s your biggest contribution / Something you like to share?
“When I lost my best friend (My dog Oscar) and everything that went along with it (Career, purpose, love, etc) it took me years to come to terms with what had happened. One must consider that despite having travelled around the world, and also to India three times and SA a dozen times from California, I lost him in amotor accident in my driveway. I went to many psycologists and therapies to try and come to peace with what happened. What got me to making peace with the events wasnt a therapy session or any of the latter; it was simply to find deep gartitude for having had the moment in timne with such a special creature, Nothing last forever, but if one is grateful, one can be more at peace with life and what happens along the way. Being grateful for having had the moment in the first place is where all healing begins.”
4. Fun Facts:
“I have been married three times – but my longest lasting was getting married to my dog in Las Vegas in 2009 with the help of an Elvis Presley impersonator.”
Thank you for being you!
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