The Londolozi food theatre has been a joy this year this with quarterly visits from Londolozi alumni and Cape Town food masters Sheila Steenkamp of Pomegranate and Kirsty Ratcliffe of Source Management. These two great professionals have teamed up with Londolozi Executive Chef, Jaco Myburgh and Food Olympian Siya Kobo to produce simple yet elegant African cuisine.
We pay tribute to the Sous Chefs Eric Sithole, Eric Ubisi, Constance Mthabini, Sipho Khoza and Virginia Mthabini who, over the years, have learnt from many great culinary talents that have left a legacy of learning in the kitchens of Londolozi. This great team of self taught chefs represent all that Londolozi stands for of “creating a place and a space were each individual can become the best version of themselves”
Londolozi GM, Stoff Kane Berman, loves playing with cars, electronic gadgets and new frontiers in eco-friendly technology. He has been the moving spirit in the creation of the 1st ever battery powered safari vehicle; the 1st ever high tech specialist photographic night vision and sound safari vehicle; the 1st ever solar powered people mover (between camps) and the 1st ever battery powered tractor.
Added to his zero emissions policy, Kane Berman has gone to war on plastic bottled water. This water has been needlessly transported thousands of miles into a Game Reserve which has 2 perennial rivers running through it. As such he has commissioned the construction of a Londolozi bottling plant using reusable glass bottles. In addition Kane Berman is simultaneously working on banning all future use of packaged and transported plastic bottled water into Londolozi.
During 2009 Kane Berman has also insisted that, where practical, the fresh vegetables for the kitchen be bought within a 150 kilometer radius of the Lodge with a strong focus on supporting the local farm growers. Solar powered water heating and water driven electrical generation are on his drawing board for 2010 as he determinedly sets about transforming, step by step, the Londolozi model until we achieve Sustainability at all levels. Also to recycle, restore and maintain equipment locally.
Bush picnics, boma dancing, sleep outs, parties, boma rockstars, mud fights, bush theatre, fire juggling, the Intention circle, artists in residence, family unity, continuous learning, yoga, massage, rocker soccer, rugby hunks, future cricketers, valentine wishes, love, harmony, happiness and a continual growing stream of wonderful visiting guests have added to the richness that has been Londolozi during 2009.
In the bushveld lands of South Africa, we at Londolozi await with great anticipation the 2010 Soccer World cup! With many years of preparation in a vibrant developing country, what a time it is to be South African. We are undoubtedly a country Alive with Possibilities and alive with the natural diversity that we have to offer.
South Africa is the place to be in 2010 and we invite you to join us at any time during this historical year of high energy and great hospitality. We invite you to come and witness a nation full of pride and hope, standing at the centre stage of the world looking forward to showing you all that our great country has to offer.
Sincere thanks for all your support during 2009. Roll on 2010 into a land of hope, service, vibrancy and expectation.
Written by: Bronwyn Varty
Photographs by: Londolozi Staff
Londolozi, fantastic, all items in blog have the wow factor, I wish only that I was fit enough to visit in person.