In April, we celebrate World Book Day - a time to reflect on the pivotal role that books continue to play in enriching our lives. We particularly value how books can ignite incredible journeys and deepen our understanding of the environments and creatures we encounter on safari. Whether you’re preparing for your next South African adventure or simply dreaming of the wild from your living room, we’ve curated a list of five...
Celebrating Women’s Day at Shumbalala Game Lodge
On 9 August 1956, over 20,000 women from diverse backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, standing up for their rights. This peaceful protest was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW) and led by notable activists like Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.
The women delivered petitions with over 100,000 signatures to the Prime Minister's office, standing in silence for 30 minutes and then singing a powerful freedom song with the famous phrase, “Wathint' abafazi, Strijdom! Wathint' imbokodo, uza kufa!” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock, you will be crushed!”). This slogan has since become a symbol of women's strength and resilience in South Africa.
Photo: Intelligent and Yvonne
This historic event marked a pivotal moment in the fight for women’s rights. Today, Women's Day is a public holiday in South Africa, celebrating the achievements and contributions of women to society. It’s a time to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and acknowledge the ongoing challenges women face.
At Shumbalala Game Lodge, we are proud of our dedicated team of incredible women who make our lodge the special place it is. Despite life’s challenges, these women continue to show up for their families and ensure our guests enjoy every moment of their stay.
Each woman at Shumbalala Game Lodge brings her unique background and story of struggle and perseverance, inspiring us daily. They believe in the power of a positive attitude and the importance of teamwork. By working together, they overcome challenges and create a warm environment for both their colleagues and guests. Their passion for hospitality is evident in every guest interaction.
Our Front of House and Management Team
Our front of house and management team are the first smiling faces you’ll encounter at Shumbalala Game Lodge, setting the tone for your unforgettable stay. They go above and beyond to ensure you have everything you need, providing exceptional support to both our guests and our team. A sincere thank you to Jeandra, Danielle, Andri, and Joana for their dedication and warmth.
Photo: Andri and Danielle
Our Chefs, Kitchen Team, and Waitresses
These talented women excel at creating delicious, flavourful meals that are as visually stunning as they are tasty. They meticulously manage our kitchen, ensuring every mealtime is a memorable and relaxing experience for our guests. A big thank you to Mavis, Barbara, Eulendah, and Lillian for their dedication and culinary expertise.
Photo: Eulendah
Our Housekeeping Team
These dedicated women work diligently behind the scenes, keeping our lodge spotless and ensuring your stay is comfortable and hassle-free. Their keen attention to detail and genuine desire to pamper our guests make all the difference. Thank you, Gertrude, Yvonne, Intelligent, and Pinky, for your hard work and commitment.
Photo: Intelligent, Gertrude and Pinky
We also want to extend our deepest thanks to all the wonderful women who have visited and supported us. It is our true pleasure to pamper you, providing a much-needed escape from the demands of everyday life. Here, you can reconnect with nature and your loved ones without worrying about cooking, washing up, laundry, or house cleaning. We genuinely believe safaris were created to give women the perfect break – don’t you agree?
On this Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women of Shumbalala Game Lodge and all our female guests. We love playing a role in your journey and sharing your inspiration and joy as you experience nature’s abundance and find rest with us.
* Please note, some of our amazing team members are not featured in the photos as they were on leave during this time. We appreciate their hard work and invite you to keep an eye on our social media platforms to meet the rest of our wonderful team.
Further Reading
When embarking on a safari adventure, the anticipation of seeing the Big Five always gets our hearts racing. These majestic creatures hold a special allure, and spotting them is a rare and significant experience. And yet, we shouldn’t forget that the African bush is teeming with a multitude of other fascinating animals that often go unnoticed. A great example is the impala, a true gem of the wilderness.
This time of the year is one of the most magical and awe-inspiring times to experience the Thornybush Nature Reserve. Within a very short period the seasons start to change. All of a sudden, fresh spring weather turns into glorious balmy summer evenings and long, lazy days best spent around the sparkling pool with an ice-cold drink in hand. During early October, temperatures at Shumbalala Game Lodge quickly climb into the mid-to-high...
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