It is with deep sadness that I honor my friend Steve /Ui Kunta from the Nyae Nyae Conservancy in Namibia. Steve passed away last week, and his loss is felt by all who knew him.

I first met Steve in 2010, and over the years, he became much more than a colleague or assistant. He was a kind, thoughtful person who helped me see the world differently. During our trips together in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Steve’s wisdom and questions often challenged my understanding of things. He showed me the value of local knowledge and working together, helping me grasp ideas I would have missed on my own.

We spent many hours discussing the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, community-based natural resource management, tourism, and the role of the Ju/’hoansi and San peoples more generally. In our last meeting this past June, we talked about climate change, biodiversity, and the role of the San peoples in these issues, because we were collaborating on another (third) academic article together. Steve also shared his dreams and frustrations of building his own projects in Nyae Nyae and later in Nhoma. But our relationship was never just about work—it was built on friendship and mutual respect.

I will always remember Steve as wise, quiet, and endlessly helpful. It is heartbreaking to learn that he took his own life. My thoughts are with his wife, children, friends, and family in Nhoma and Nyae Nyae. Steve, you will be deeply missed, and my visits to the Nyae Nyae Conservancy will never be the same without you.