A Refreshing South African Experience - Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga. The literal translation of this exquisite South African province is the place of the rising sun with the name meaning “East”. The translation of the name of this province comes from the Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu languages. Mpumalanga borders Swaziland and Mozambique – so to take a “sho’t left” (a South Africanism for expanding ones horizons and exploring this beautiful country) to these other Southern African territories is a stone throw away. The capital is Mbombela which is located in the town of Nelspruit, another surprisingly little bustling town filled with much to do.

Heading to this part of the world has many a hidden gem, much to see, to do and explore, and (most importantly) to stuff your face with. From outdoor activities, nature and wildlife areas, rest and relaxation galore, waterfalls, museums, sites and landmarks. Is there really anything more you need? First stop, Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel in a tiny town (or dorpie as us South African’s like to call it) of Hazyview.

My stay for a couple days in Mpumalanga first took me to a place called Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Set among indigenous gardens and lush ever-green Lowveld flora, this quaint boutique hotel is situated within the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post trendy “village”. There’s access to unique little shops, offering something for the young and old with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities at your fingertips. This gem of a hotel amidst Hazyview offers warm, personal service, away from the crowds to allowing you to exhale life’s stresses and to submerge yourself in tranquil surrounds with the promise of adventure on the horizon. Perry’s Bridge Hollow is definitely a standout among Hazyview hotels as the location perfectly places you in a natural, subtropical surrounding while still being central to a host of attractions and activities, and all with breath-taking vistas.

The rooms are dotted around age old Acacia, Baobab and Wild Fig trees, merging with the natural surroundings and creating an instant feeling of serenity. Guests have a choice between the 31 spacious Standard Rooms and 3 family rooms which offer views of the sparkling pool or lush gardens from private patios. Air-conditioners, satellite television, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-fridges are just some of the amenities which add to your convenience. Bespoke furnishings celebrate old-world African charm and accentuate the leafy surrounds to plunge guests into a bygone era of elegant quality. A refreshing Africa experience.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted with the warmest welcome by the reception staff. Faces adorned with smiles and mouths of soft spoken kindness, I was taken for a short “stroll” from reception to my abode for the next few nights. A room submerged in tranquillity and peace, overlooking the large hotel pool nestled in the centre of the establishment. My favourite part about the room is the large outdoor shower inter-leading from the bathroom – unexpected for sure. This modern hotel has however continued to retain an authentic part of our African culture and heritage… Story telling. Every evening your bed is turned down, with an African bedtime story and sweet treat neatly placed. The stories generally revolve around animal fables and those of the bush, and what I love about this is the authenticity to which it’s staying true to its roots – one of a truly African experience just before submerging yourself into a peaceful night’s sleep… Much fodder and stimulation for the brain prior to dreamland.

Evenings bring their own adventure with a possible visit to the Shangaan River Club where you can experience African culture under the vibrant night sky. Sundowners are on offer at the Afro-Chic Kuka Restaurant at Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, or overlooking the hippos in the Sabie River at Hippo Hollow Country Estate, down the road.

It is one of the pricier places to stay, but for good reason. All in all, highly recommended as a home away from home.

Let me take you about 40 minutes further into Mpumalanga, down the R536 (Portia Shabangu Dr.) to a very special place in the heart of the most lush and peaceful reserve. Bordering the Kruger Park and Sabi areas lies a lodge unlike anywhere else on this planet… Londolozi. A 5 star luxury safari destination and experience.

Londolozi –meaning protector of all living things. The power and meaning behind the name of the lodge lies deep in how and why this lodge was founded by the Varty family. Dave Varty’s book, The Full Circle on the history and creation of this magnificent lodge gives the detailed insight into how at the age of 15 when their father died and less than two years later with only R62 in the bank, he and his brother John started a business that would change the conservation landscape across the African continent forever. In his quest to save the last remaining wilderness areas of Southern and East Africa, and to grow the reach of his ecotourism business, Dave learnt priceless life lessons.

Londolozi is not just another luxury resort, but a place of sanctity. Each room pays close attention to detail to truly immerse you within the African bush. Large rooms that provide privacy and views overlooking the park, where you’re bound to spot and hear animals roaming free in abundance. King size beds fit for royalty, crisp linen, pictures that adorn the walls of each part of every room that are photographs taken by friends and family of the lodge. A spa, unlike any other – as it too has been created in tapping into the soul and essence of oneself – with therapy rooms that transport you into a haven of tranquillity. I could go on about the incredible game drives by rangers who have been voted the best on the African continent, and how experiencing a multitude of wildlife this close has never brought me so close, and in tune, with nature. Or how you’re spoilt with warm welcomes and food that will keep you wanting to come back for more. Evenings around campfires with storytelling and tales of Africa, traditional dances and songs that are the perfect way to end an evening. It’s more than this… You’re welcomed to a place that makes you feel like family. The staff pay close attention to each guest to create a unique and heartfelt experience that sets it apart from anywhere else. You’re not just a number, but a part of the experience that is Londolozi.

And herein lies the true beauty of this treasure, the rooting in value and purpose that is felt by all when arriving and being taken on a tour of the lodge and that of the village – creating further sustainability and opportunity for the people of this part of the world, one of giving back and leaving better the world around them for generations to come. This leads me to the next part of my journey, The Good Work Foundation. With the help and support of Kate Groch came the creation of Londolozi’s NGO the GWF, absolutely aligned to these values and purpose.

Imagine a world where every single child, and every adult who wasn’t afforded the opportunity to be educated and to learn, is now able to. Take this a step further and now picture a world in which our context and uniqueness as a people was also factored in… Growing and teaching people in ways they understand, and in ways rooted in respect and values – respect and values not only for oneself but for your fellow human.

The GWF is focussed on leading an achievable and digitally-[em]powered education model for rural Africa. That is the mission of the Good Work Foundation (GWF) - a registered NGO that has been working with grassroots education in Africa since 2003. They’re rooted in values of excellence, creativity and innovation, respect, learning, nurturing and fun. They’ve challenged themselves on how one learns, what’s learnt and who has access to learning… Their absolute mission. And they’ve done this with a team that have the same vested interests. A team of young passionate people who are committed to the mission. A team who develop their own course material and have given their time to do so.

Their mission has been one of which to pioneer a learning model for rural Africa that can build affordable and targeted education support structures to transform rural communities in poor, vulnerable places. In South Africa learners are trapped between an underperforming school system and a 2030 National Development Plan that demands 21st century skills relevant to a new African digital marketplace. Nowhere is this divide more apparent than in the rural communities where students lack basic opportunities to become proficient in the main languages of access: English and digital. GWF bridges this gap by having launched digital learning campuses that serve as a hub for multiple stakeholders living in remote communities. These campuses harness advances in education technology to deliver learning programs that strengthen a person’s ability to navigate the online world and all of its opportunities. As of 2017, their programs reach more than 5,000 children and adults across four digital learning campuses annually, with a 95% graduation rate for adult learners, and English and math performance increases of up to 37% for school learners.

They’re seeking to scale their impact by licensing a network of independently managed digital learning campuses across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate the rate at which rural communities can access digital learning. Their successful base model has allowed them to rigorously test the concept in four locations where ROI includes a direct, positive impact of up to 5,000 rural learners per digital learning campus, with a goal to license 32 digital learning campuses by 2028. To do this, they’re looking to raise $10 million in the next 4 years, where they’ve raised $2.6 million so far. So as you can see, this is no ordinary NGO, with big goals and big things to achieve. Why would you not want to be a part of it? If you’re looking to donate to this NGO, that’s wanting to change the continent for our current and future generations, please go to http://www.goodworkfoundation.org/donate.

Perry’s Bridge Hollow Hazyview Boutique Hotel

Londolozi

Good Work Foundation

~Denielle Mohonathan