A brief history of Djuma Game Reserve

By 1993 Philippa and I had completed our studies and travels and were ready for a challenge. We investigated the possibility of commercializing our property (which I had inherited after my father's death in 1989) by opening a safari lodge. Whilst we had no real direct experience in creating, managing and marketing a new safari lodge we had had some exposure in Botswana's Okavango Delta via a hunting operation we had a stake in. We raised capital and set about the creation of Djuma Game Reserve. We chose the name Djuma, which means the roar of lion.

The original name of the land when we acquired it, "Wintersrus", alludes to the hunting history of this region, which was mainly used for hunting big game during the winter months. Times have changed and now there is no more hunting and only the old-timers remember what it was like then.

The present Djuma Bush Lodge - its name then was "Renosterhoop" or Rhino midden - was built in 1983 as a family lodge with a total of six chalets. In 1993 we upgraded the lodge on a shoestring budget and had to resort to ingenious solutions to expensive problems. We built new buildings and created elegant and luxurious interiors in the chalets and main building. Pippa with her artistic background added a distinctive and unique touch with her printed fabrics. Pippa has horticultural experience and her green fingers created the garden, where once there was only sand.

By April 1994 the lodge was ready to operate and we opened with four chalets. We ran special rates for travel agents and had a very low introductory rate (R295.00 per person)! Things started slowly, but soon we were full on the holidays and weekends. Initially we did everything ourselves with only three staff! Pippa did all of the menus and cooking as well as serve, both food and bar. She controlled the cleaning and laundry and was in charge of stock purchasing. I took all game drives as well as general management, from serving drinks to fixing broken toilets! I also did all the accounts and we both manned the telephone to take reservations. We expanded to five chalets in 1995. It became obvious that we were stretched thin and needed additional local staff so that by late 1995 we had a staff of 12 including ourselves.

In February 1996 we both fell ill with malaria and realized that we needed help in the form of a management couple. In March 1996 Pendrae Saulez and Campbell Scott joined us. Very soon Pendrae and Campbell proved themselves to be extremely capable and we were able to share the responsibility of management between the four of us. This allowed us to expand our family and Zoë Alice was born August 1996, followed by Rebecca Blue in April 1998. The Scotts married in 1997.

At the end of 1997 we completed the expansion of Djuma to seven chalets and opened Gowrie Camp. Gowrie Camp - which had been our private camp - had five huts and was primarily aimed at the self-catering market in South Africa. By the end of 1998 we entered into a long-term arrangement with our neighbour Buffelshoek to manage their self-catering lodge Galago. So, by the end of 1998 we closed Gowrie Camp and moved all self-catering business to Galago Camp.

In 1997 I created and published our own web site: www.djuma.co.za. From the early, very amateurish web site I created in 1997, it has grown to a large, lively and informative web site, which has a large and loyal following. But, this is only part of our Internet story, since we had the good fortune to join up with Africam (an immensely popular web site with live cameras in the bush here at Djuma Game Reserve), which allowed us to become the world's first virtual game reserve! A fuller account of the Africam story is in the "Drum Beat" section of the Djuma web site.

Over the years the Djuma team expanded and today includes a diverse group of people. People like Abel Mkansi, Monica Ubisi, Aubrey Ngobeni and Bongi Dlamini, have been with us since the beginning and have been joined by such talented people as Piet Marimane (Guide at Bush Lodge), Morris Mnisi (Tracker) and Joyce Mgiba (Room Cleaner), to mention but a few of the 69 strong Djuma team today. Charmian Cooke is our front office and as Administrative Manager she not only handles reservations, but also ensures that the administration runs smoothly - she is the first and last word in efficiency!

The year 1999 saw the dawn of further expansion for Djuma Game Reserve with the building of Vuyatela, a unique new lodge with eight chalets. Vuyatela - which means "come visit again" - opened at the end of 1999. The architectural style of Vuyatela was inspired by local building techniques, which span from ancient mud and thatch huts to innovative modern interpretations. Vuyatela is a confirmation of the vibrant new South Africa with its long ancient roots into the past. In keeping with the Djuma philosophy, Vuyatela has been built with local labour that has been trained here and we used no heavy machinery, but rather only manual labour.

1999 also saw the inception of N'wa Tumberi Day Care Centre in Utha, our neighbouring Shangaan community. Djuma pilots the project with overwhelming community support. Zoë and Rebecca attend class at N'wa Tumberi. All part of the Djuma philosophy of community involvement. Finn, Pendrae and Campbell Scott's first born has also started to attend N'wa Tumberi. Furthermore, her parents have sunk deep roots and became partners in Djuma Game Reserve during 1999.

The year 2000 gave us the satisfaction of the new Vuyatela lodge going from strength to strength. Vuyatela has established a new style and has opened many people's eyes to the rich cultural diversity that is modern South Africa. Experience not only the magnificent wildlife of Africa, but also the unique cultures that people our awesome continent.

At the start of 2001 Djuma welcomed Helen van Tonder as new marketing manager. We also said goodbye to Lisa Constable, who has left us for the cold of Switzerland, and welcomed Liane Allaway as new manager of Djuma Bush, she was very ably supported by Kim Dowedswell and Jay Hanson - who had to leave back to the UK to deal with a family tragedy. Bronwen Smithers, former manager of Vuyatela left us for the bright lights of the city! Tania van Loggerenberg also left us for greener pastures. But, most important of all, a new arrival, Jack; Campbell and Pendrae's second child was born in June 2001!

2002: Liane Allaway has continued in the tradition of an intimate, friendly bush experience - excellent food and a great atmosphere; Kim Dowedswell and Edward Hoare - who used to be at Vuyatela, very ably support her. Rob Burns, Landi van Wyk and Mark Labuschagne are your charming hosts at Vuyatela; and complete the Vuyatela team. Guide Steve Bailey is once again part of the Djuma team and is joined by Nicole Witte who offers pampering therapies to the Djuma guests.

2003:Liane continues to maintain Bush Lodge's high standards, ably assisted by Kim Dowedswell. Edward has returned to South Africa and is starting up a restaurant in Cape Town. Rob and Landi are now in KwaZulu Natal taking up new challenges. Mark is leading the Vuyatela team, assisted by Nicole, whom still continues with her massage therapy between her other duties. Steve is in charge of the safari department, making sure the guides and trackers keep up our reputation for finding game and maintaining roads etc. Marietjie Van Niekerk and Warren Pieterse, run the food and beverage and maintenance departments respectively.

2004: Liane and Kim still lead the team at Bush Lodge, with Edward returning often to assist and take care of guests' needs. Piet Marimane is Djuma's head ranger and oversees the rangers and trackers as well as supervising maintenance out in the bush.
At Vuyatela we have Mark Labuschagne leading the team, ably assisted by Jimmy Mlanga, Warren and Marietjie. Nelliswa Dlamini runs our wellness center "The Rubbing Post".

2005: Neliswa Dlamini has taken two years off to complete her degree in Health and Beauty technology. Nonku Ngcamu has come in to run the wellness centre "The Rubbing Post". Vuyatela sees Mark leading the team, still assisted by Jimmy Mhlanga, Warren Pieterse and Marietjie van Niekerk. Charles Gumede and Solly Sithole are the Vuyatela rangers. Liane and Kim still lead the team at Bush Lodge, with Edward popping in to lend a hand when necessary. Piet and Chris are the rangers at Bush Lodge. The Scott family left Djuma for greener pastures during 2005. Djuma Game Reserve also parted ways with AfriCam after many years. Helen van Tonder is no longer leading our marketing drive, and has taken on new opportunities in the industry.

2006: Liane Allaway has left Djuma Bush Lodge after six years at Djuma, to do some travelling. Kim and Piet have taken on the roles of managers. Kim will be overseeing the guest liaisons and housekeeping departments. Piet with continue heading the safari department, as well as overseeing staff and maintenance issues. Chris is joined by Morris Mnisi, who has been promoted to full time guide at Bush Lodge. Rexon Ntimane has been appointed full time guide at Galago Camp, with Thembi Fakude managing housekeeping with Mildred Mkansi.

2007: Warren Pieterse has been appointed the operations manager of all three Djuma Game Reserve lodges. Warren, together with Charmian Cooke, who leads the reservation and admin teams, are in charge of Djuma, assisting the Moolmans. Vuyatela is taken care of by Marietjie van Niekerk, Jimmy Mhlanga, and Pinky Maela - our newest addition to the Vuyatela team. We welcome the following staff to Vuyatela: Fanoti Shabangu (groundsman), Irel Knoza (chef), Donald Ubisi (waiter/barman), Daglas Mathabine (waiter/barman), Pretty Mabaso (waitress). These new comers replace Shannon Henning, Joyce Ndubane, Patrick Machave and Rain Radebe, as well as Patricia Ubisi who has passed away.
Over at Bush Lodge, Kim and Chris have expanded their family, and while Kim has been on maternity leave, a variety of managers have tended the lodge. Thanks to Grant McDonald, Edward Hoare, Jimmy from Vuyatela and Bronwen Smithers for stepping in and leading the team. Shortly after Kim's return, the Stamper family decided to move down to the Cape. James Carty took over the head ranger position and Bush Lodge is now being led by Anet Van Niekerk. Mandla Mathonsi has settled in as assistant front of house manager at Bush Lodge. Adding to Marietjie's portfolio, is general management of Galago, with Nestar Shabangu joining the housekeeping team. Aubrey Ngobene has been appointed as Galago's full time guide, as Rexon Ntimane has moved over to Wildearth.tv.

2008: Charles Gumede has been appointed Djuma Game Reserve's head ranger position after James Carty's departure. Amos Nyathi and Handry Mathebula have been promoted from groundmen to trackers. Solly Sithole (ranger), Donald Ubisi (waiter/barman), Nonkululeko Ngcamu (therapist) have all moved to greener pastures. Our beloved Edward Hoare has come and gone again (as we are sure he will do several times in years to come). Terrence Mhlaba has joined as waiter/barman at Vuyatela. Ephriam Khoza has joined as a fill in guide/tracker for Vuyatela and Galago when other safari staff is on leave. We have had several staff promotions at Bush Lodge. Abel Mkanzi is currently a full time guide, with Andrew Khosa tracking and stand in guide. Abraham Machavi move from groundsman to tracker, with Ranson Mkhonto and Samuel Sivasha taking on the groundsman duties. Constance Nhlongo is the new staff house keeper.

Jurie Moolman

However, most importantly, we strive for our guests to leave here with a sense of the magic of Africa. To create an atmosphere of warm hospitality and to see to our guests’ needs with a "can do" attitude. We do our utmost best to show our guests the splendid sights and sounds of the African Savanna without disturbing Nature unnecessarily. We see it as our responsibility to impart our knowledge and to inform our guests, not only in the way of the Savanna, but also of the wider South African culture. We want our guests to leave Djuma Game Reserve at the end of their stay rested and happy with a perfect holiday.