THE KRUGER KITCHEN
Philemon is a quiet man. His wisdom is the kind that you want to hold on to for as long as you can. A peaceful wisdom... One of…
Trailblazers on the Tracks: The Women Leading Kruger Shalati
It is said that the best leaders are those who leave a trail of inspiration and this International Women’s Day we are not short of inspirational women in our midst. We’d like you to meet five of the inspiring and radiant women in leadership at Kruger Shalati and take a little peek behind the curtain.
Our ethos at Kruger Shalati has not only been to actively uplift individuals from the communities surrounding us, but also to upskill and empower those stand-out individuals already in our team.
Mashoto Sedibe rose to her current position as Head of Housekeeping from humble and hardworking beginnings as a Housekeeping Supervisor. It soon became evident that Mashoto was made for a position in leadership. She attributes her promotion in November 2022 down to “dedication and hard work”. This dedication, coupled with a strong work ethic and attention to detail, does not go unnoticed. Mashoto and her team ensure that every moment spent at Shalati is filled with comfort and peace of mind that all your expectations will be met.
Popping into our beautiful on-site boutique it is easy to see why Candice Ferreira, Head of Retail, enjoys her job so much. She is, after all, the little magpie who ensures the shelves are stocked with ever-changing trinkets, treasures, and keepsakes to remind you of your stay at Shalati. “My job is fulfilling, creative, and most of all… fun!” says Candice. “Kruger Shalati will forever be a special place to me, particularly the dining room at Bridge House,” she continues. It was here, back in 2019 where her daughter, Charlotte, took her very first steps. Long before our dining decks, arrival lobby, and the Bridge House Garden Suites were even built. Candice relocated to the Kruger from Cape Town along with her husband, Gavin – to support him in his position as GM of Kruger Shalati. From there, Candice has been at the helm of all things pretty in Retail, and, well… just about anything else that needs a pair of hands!
And whilst we’re talking about power couples, let’s meet Ella West Njajula.
This bubbly English Rose found love in the African bush, and together with our head guide, Bonga, relocated to Skukuza and joined the team from the beginning, as Head of Reservations. Under Ella’s meticulous eye, you can be assured that your every whim will be catered for, and no detail will go unchecked.
Ella’s favourite spot at Shalati is our Northern Deck. “It’s so peaceful and you get the most stunning views of the bush and river from there – and it’s perfect for birdwatching,” she says.
When asked who she would like to swap places with at Kruger Shalati for one day if she could, Ella immediately mentions our friendly Grounds-Keeper and Gardener, Philemon.
“I think it would be quite a stress-free job, and you still get to interact with all the guests.”
Whilst we’re on the topic of interacting with people, let’s introduce our Head of HR, Tebogo Modiba. She describes herself as “the people’s support structure” – and with a staff complement of over 275 Tebogo plays an integral part in the smooth running of operations behind the scenes. This passion for people extends into her “swap-for-a-day” scenario, as she’d like to experience being the Restaurant Manager – surrounded by people.
Since Tebogo joined our team in August 2024, she’s fallen in love with the beautiful views of the Sabie River. “It is magical seeing it change from season to season,” she says.
Another fan of the kitchen is our Head of Accounting, Cherise Sauerman. “I wish I could switch places with our Head Chef, Vusi, if only for one day. The creativity and freedom to create such unique dishes must fill you with an incredible sense of accomplishment and pride,” she muses.
When she’s not counting beans and crunching numbers, Cherise loves taking a stroll along our bridge, past the Train Carriage Suites. “You never know what you might spot from up there… and the views of the river are just gorgeous!”
Since joining the team in April 2020 Cherise describes her experience of working at Shalati as “fulfilling, stimulating, and offering continued growth”.
At Kruger Shalati we truly believe it is our people who make your stay memorable and iconic, so we hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the effervescent ladies we get to share our days with.
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We asked each of them who they would invite (past or present) to join them for a safari dinner party at Train on the Bridge. Here’s what they had to say:
Cherise: I am a music person so, Alexandra Kay, Lauren Spencer, and Lauren Daigle.
Candice: Oprah, Princess Diana, and my Mom (my mom may not be famous but I would love to show her the Bridge and tell her all about her grandbabies).
Mashoto: Connie Ferguson (businesswoman), Advocate Thuli Madonsela, and Marriette du Toit- Helmbold (Former CEO of Cape Town Tourism).
Tebogo: Bridget Radebe, Phophi Ramathuba, and Queen Latifah.
Ella: Taylor Swift (She looks like a lot of fun!), Dame Jane Goodall (to hear about all her stories with the Chimpanzees and her research), and Queen Elizabeth II. (Being British myself, we would have a great cup of tea together!)
