In the African night, the beat of a drum means news...

May 2007

Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Bush Lodge

Vuyatela

for more information visit www.djuma.com

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This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site

We were wishing for more rain and we certainly got some. Two of the biggest downpours this year descended on Bush Lodge in the last ten days and eventually the dams are showing signs of actually being dams. We do need more, but are grateful for this recent deluge and without it, the bush would have suffered through the winter and the animals would have to depend on pumped water a lot earlier than expected. Due to the rain, the bush is looking spectacular and I'm sure the animals love it as well. The Bush Lodge dam along side the swimming pool has some water in it, and long may it last.
The sightings have been outstanding this month and thrown up the unexpected as the bush has a habit of doing so. We had the sad incident of a big male Leopard that took out a 6 month old leopard cub that had encroached on his territory, a shocking experience, but the bush can be a tough place at times. On a happier note there has been much activity with the Lion cubs, our guests love to spend time with them as they have become more relaxed in front of their cameras. We have had the Buffalo herd through the reserve again leaving their usual signature of trampled bush. The Hyenas are well and healthy, popping in and out of the den giving us some good interaction and play fighting amongst the pups. We have had the odd visit by a solitary Hyena in the camp during the night; we hear the noise but never see the culprit, only foot prints in the morning.
We have had some honeymooners from England, the Bournes who stayed with us two weeks ago and we have arrived back in home safely from all their adventures in Mozambique. The Lindsay's, also on honeymoon from Scotland were with us for four days and were treated to some great Elephant sightings amongst many others. We had the Stamper family here for a few days celebrating a sixtieth, sixty fifth, seventieth and seventy fifth birthdays and the birth of a new grandson. There was also a group of post graduate students from Texas who had never been to the bush before and were all blown away by their time here and we hear, they hope to come back soon.
On the staff front, Edward is departing for a visit to America and Europe. As we know, Edward can't stay away from Djuma for long, and we are sure to see him around one of the camps in the near future! It was great to have Jimmy Hurlimann and his wife Shirley, come for a week's holiday and to catch up with everyone again.
Fond regards until next month.
The Bush Lodge Team

Approximately 800 000 individuals reside in the Manyeleti community in Mpumalanga. Approximately 54% of the community is not economically active due to the fact that they do not have employable skills and have not had access to skills training. As a result this is a poverty stricken community whose needs are immense.
The Buffelshoek Trust was formulated in 2001 and is endorsed by Nelson Mandela. The Trust’s initial intervention focused on school infrastructure. There were insufficient classrooms and desks for learners. Many learners were forced to attend class under trees. In extreme heat or rain, lessons had to be cancelled resulting in inconsistent education being offered. The Trust provided classrooms as well as equipment.
From the projects inception to the end of 2006, the Trust has initiated renovations in seven schools in the region and has, together with its partners, built thirty four freestanding classrooms and seven administration blocks.
The Trust has also focused on providing the learners with access to the global community through the donations of computers and access to the internet. To date, seven computer centers have been established with one hundred and forty computers networked. Teacher training has also been completed.
The Trust is primarily an Education Trust however due to the immense needs of the community the Trust is now expanding its focus to address other areas that also require attention with an emphasis on the education process. It is believed that through the provision of these basic services, the learners will have the foundation from which to reach for the stars! The Trust, together with the community, local government and partnerships, have initiated projects along 4 main pillars supporting education, namely:

Teacher & learner training (Literacy training, Maths training and Computer training);

Health and welfare;

Economic development;

Agricultural development.

To date the Trust has spent more than R17 million of corporate South Africa's money on these projects.

On the 27th March 2007, a delegation consisting of:

US Ambassador Bost

US Economic Officer Mr. Bruce Neuling

Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa (Trustee of Buffelshoek Trust)

Mr. Saths Moodley (Special Advisor to the Minister of Housing)

Ms. Ayanda Nakedi (CEO of Eskom Foundation)

Prof. Mamokgethi Setati (University of the Witwatersrand)

Dr. Paul Bayliss (Manager: ABSA Employee Community Involvement & Heritage)

Ms. Mandy Padayachee (Kagiso Trust)

Mr. Saul Garlick (Executive Director of the Student Movement for Real Change)

Mr Kris Ansin (Chapter Leader of the Student Movement for Real Change).
visited the various projects.

visit www.buffelshoektrust.co.za for more.

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Djuma Game Reserve
P. O. Box 338, Hluvukani, 1363, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: (+ 27 13) 735 5118
Fax: (+ 27 13) 735 5070
 

 
Webmaster: Jurie Moolman