Solly Sithole is not your average safari guide. Bent over a small hole in the loose sand of the road, he gently inserts a long stem of grass and begins to manoeuvre it from side to side. He slowly withdraws the grass — and the large, golden-brown baboon spider attached to the end of the stem. In a split second, the spider releases the grass and ducks back into its lair. “He was a big one!” Sithole giggles. We return to the vehicle and resume our night-time traversing of Djuma Game Reserve, suitably impressed by the arachnid encounter.
Different is something Djuma does rather well. Situated in the northern reaches of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the lodge is owned and run by Jurie Moolman and his artist wife, Pippa.
Moolman’s father acquired the property, when it was still known as Wintersrus, in the 1970s. When he passed away in 1989, Moolman inherited the reserve and, in 1993, took the bold step to commercialise it by opening a small safari lodge, which they renamed Bush Lodge. The reserve became Djuma, which means “the roar of the lion”. Today, Bush Lodge is a thriving and intimate family-style camp, joined by Galago, a self-catering lodge located on a neighbour’s property, and Vuyatela, Djuma’s flagship lodge.
Vuyatela — the name means “come visit again” in Shangaan — is a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stale style of safari lodges. An eclectic mix of Afrikaans, colonial and traditional African decor differentiate it from its competitors. Lodge manager Mark Labuschagne and Pippa Moolman helped to mould the look: a hybrid of traditional building methods, a touch of shack chic and colourful, modern South African, township-style art works. Swirling colourful mosaics, the work of Pippa Moolman, brighten up everything from bland walls, plant pots and polished cement floors. And the chandelier in the main lodge’s dining room is made from Coke bottles.
But what really makes Djuma, and Vuyatela in particular, different is its people. People such as Sithole, who is only too happy to go spider-hunting instead of Big Five spotting. “I love my job,” he says proudly. “And I love that what I do helps to support my community. Tourism is very important to us all as, without it, we would all struggle to live from day to day. “
Most of Djuma’s staff come from the neighbouring Shangaan communities living in Utha and Dixie. These are communities that depend on tourism enterprises such as Djuma.
Aside from the obvious job creation associated with the commercial process, Djuma has been active in enhancing future possibilities for its children. In 1999, the N’wa Tumberi Day Care Centre was established in Utha. Piloted by Djuma, the centre provides preschool education to 74 local children between the ages of two and four. The establishment of the Buffelshoek Education Trust has seen an additional preschool, four primary and two high schools established.
Its policies of community upliftment and partnership have seen Djuma awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa trademark. The lodge was also among the first tourism businesses to join the Proudly South African campaign.
These things — rather than being used as a selling point or pushed to the forefront as some kind of politically correct window dressing — are more a quiet brand of forward thinking, done for the sake of the Shangaan people in this dry and dusty area.
Even so, at the end of the day, when spider-hunting with Sithole or tucking into a delicious home-cooked meal under the Coke bottle chandelier, it’s nice to know that what you pay for the privilege is being used for good.
The lowdown
Djuma is situated in the northern section of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which adjoins the Kruger National Park. Nelair Charters offers a daily flight from Johannesburg International airport to Djuma.
For flight details, current rates and further information about Djuma, Tel: (013) 735 5118 or e-mail [email protected].
Mail & Guardian readers can take advantage of a special offer of three nights for the price of two at Bush Lodge and Vuyatela. This offer is valid until October 1 2005. To take advantage of this offer, please contact Charmian Cooke at Djuma reservations on Tel: (013) 735 5118. Prices for Bush Lodge: R2 750 per person per night sharing, children under 12 pay 50% of the rate. Prices for Vuyatela: R3 450 per person per night sharing. Prices include accommodation, meals, afternoon tea, two game drives daily, a guided walking trail, tourism levy and VAT. Prices are valid until December 31 2005.