At Londolozi we are lucky enough be able to meet and work with all sorts of different people from various backgrounds and cultures, which in my eyes is one of the many reasons why Londolozi is such a unique and wonderful place. One of the most special people I have been fortunate enough to meet is my friend Innocent Nkuna. Inno is a butler working at Varty Camp and when I first arrived I worked alongside him as a Camp Manager. There, our friendship blossomed and I can say without a doubt he is one of the funniest and kindest people I have ever had the privilege of calling my friend. When I moved from Varty Camp to work as the Relais & Chateaux relief Camp Manager (meaning I move between camps every two weeks), Inno insisted that he too needed to be a roaming butler so that he could move between all the camps with me.
Meet Innocent Nkuna – Varty Camp Butler
I love popping into Varty Camp to visit Inno during the day and we have a cappuccino together and catch up. This invariably leads to our classic game of placing bets on various happenings at the lodge, Inno seems to always have some insight into what is going on. I’ve had to buy Inno may cool drinks for his wins – he is always right. I usually get him back for all his winnings by hiding behind corners and jumping out and giving him a fright which I try and catch on video, these encounters always end up with us in fits of laughter. I could go on about all the reasons why our friendship is so special to me but I thought I would sum this up with 5 reasons why Inno is such a great butler and friend.
Ranger Chris Taylor, Innocent and myself exploring the reserve
Reason 1:
Cappuccino skills. Without a doubt Inno makes the best cappuccinos you will find in the whole of the Sabi Sands. Every time I come and visit Inno at Varty camp, he will always have a delicious cappuccino waiting for me which we enjoy together. He even says that Dave Varty himself refers to Inno as Mr Cappuccino. Inno has tried on multiple occasions to teach me the art of making a cappuccino, but mine can never be up to his standards so we have given up trying! When you are next on the Varty Camp Deck – make sure to try one of his cappuccinos…
Myself and Inno outside the Varty Boma
Reason 2:
Inno has got to be the happiest person at Londolozi. He is constantly smiling while he works and you can often hear his laughter as you walk past Varty Camp. No task is too much for Inno, he is always willing to help out butlers and camp managers alike, sometimes even going so far as to hep me count knives and forks for a stock take which is definitely not a fun task!
Varty Camp Butlers, Tammi, Mendrew and Innocent with Camp Manager Kelly and Shannon.
Reason 3:
His ability to work with anyone. Inno is friends with everyone and I’ve never heard him utter a bad word about anyone he works with. He is always happy to help out other Camps if they run into problems without a complaint and will always be seen chatting and laughing with whoever he is working with.
Innocent and Kelly stand outside Varty Camp Deck
Reason 4:
His sense of fun. Inno has a wonderful sense of humour and is always looking for ways to make his work or day more fun. He enjoys chatting to his guests and getting to know them so well that he can joke around with them which always makes the guests feel more comfortable and really drives home the sense of family that Londolozi always brings.
Innocent and Kelly with big smiles on Varty Camp Deck
Reason 5:
He is an amazing butler. Inno takes his job very seriously, he wants to make sure his guests are extremely well looked after and he does a fantastic job. Seldom does a Camp Manager have to check in on him because he is always on top form and he without a doubt makes sure his guests are his number one priority.
The list of admirable qualities that Inno possess is endless. I hope that if you get the chance, you are able to meet Inno on your next Londolozi adventure and that he can bring a bit of joy to your life, like he has to mine.
Great Guy 👍
One of the friendliest. most optimistic persons I have ever met–anywhere.
I relish your camp personnel profiles. Suggest you regularly feature one at least biweekly. And include trackers, too!
Fantastic to have someone like Innocent seeing to the guest at Varty Camp. That says a lot about him caring for the guests, making jokes and being on top of his game. Very talented and well respected.
A top guy, if he wasn’t such a great butler he’d make a brilliant comedian, such a good sense of humour!
Inno is so very special. Always smiling. What a treat to be with him at Londolozi! Thanks for this spotlight of an exceptional person.
Such a nice article on a very special person.
The friendliness of the staff at all the camps I know is so wonderful!
I can see why he’s one of your favorite persons at Londolozi. His smile says it all and now knowing he’s Mr. Cappuccino, I’ll have to stop by for one of his delicious cappuccinos. You’re fortunate that your colleague has become such a special friend and no matter where you go in the future, he will always have a special place in your life. Wonderful tribute!
A heartwarming blog and Innocent is such a nice guy. Thanks for sharing him with us.