In a first for Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, two black women have been appointed as part of the management team at one of the reserve’s prestigious lodges.
In a first for Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, two black women have been appointed as part of the management team at one of the reserve’s prestigious lodges.
Bongi Tsotsa and Mandisa Zamani, both 29, were recently appointed as manager and assistant manager at Ecca Lodge, a couple of hundred metres from the Great Fish River, surrounded by the characteristic vegetation of the region as well as the Big Five.
“Yes, it’s the first time in the history of Kwandwe that two black women make up the management team at one of the lodges,” said the effervescent Tsotsa proudly.
“And,” she added, “we’re in total control of the lodge, ensuring thateverything runs smoothly.” The duo will meet guests on arrival, attend to their special needs, organise transfers and transport, keep children occupied with various activities, convene daily morning meetings with staff and ensure that guests are happy throughout their stay.
Kwandwe came into existence as a game reserve 11 years ago following the purchase of nine farms in the district.
Tsotsa lived on one of those farms, Lemonkraal, with her family. After matriculating at TEM Mrwetyana High in Grahamstown, she submitted her CV to Kwandwe on the recommendation of her aunt who worked on the
reserve. So she began her career at Kwandwe as a butler at Ecca Lodge. In July 2008 Tsotsa was promoted to assistant manager at Ecca Lodge, and in December last year she was appointed as manager.
In her spare time she plays netball for the Kwandwe team against visiting Grahamstown sides, and works out in the gym on the reserve.
Since her schooldays at Nombulelo Senior Secondary School in Grahamstown, Mandisa Zamani had a dream of entering the world of travel and tourism.
“I couldn’t get into the course at Border Technikon at the time because it was full, so I did a sort of a gap year doing fashion design there,” said the ever-smiling Zamani.
“I really enjoy meeting and interacting with different people from different countries and cultures,” said the new manager, adding that she loves entertaining the guests’ children and going on the occasional game drive when time permits.
“I love my job – this is the best, being on a reserve in the middle of the bush. Sometimes when I’m on my twoweek break in Grahamstown I get bored.
I never get bored here.” Later, while she was doing a hospitality course in Grahamstown, an acquaintance informed her of a vacancy at Kwandwe.
“I submitted my CV, and within a month I had the job of butler at the Great Fish River Lodge. That was in 2005. At first I just knew the basics, but learned a lot, and wanted to learn more.
“I had it in my mind then that I wanted to be a lodge manager one day.” In the meantime, she spent a year at Kwandwe reception, in her quest to learn more.
Kwandwe general manager Danel van Zyl encouraged her to apply for the position of safari host that had become available at Ecca Lodge.
She was successful and occupied the post for a year. The big break came when she was promoted to assistant manager at Ecca Lodge at the end of last year.
“It may be a demanding and challenging position, but it’s the best job you can get,” said Zamani as she gazed towards the distant mountains.
Like her colleague, she lives in a cottage a few giraffe necks’ distance from the lodge, and on her two-week break every six weeks visits her parents in Grahamstown.
Tostsa and Zamani have both successfully completed, as part of their management training, a course designed by Rhodes University, teaching budget and management skills.
Kwandwe’s assistant general manager, Tim Vuyk, said of the new management team at Ecca Lodge: “Bongi and Mandisa have worked really hard to get where they are, and they deserve it.”
