Latest news with #Schalkwyk
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Safari lodge shining example of land claim that works
A land claim turned into opportunity, Mdluli Safari Lodge is driving economic change and tourism growth near Numbi Gate. A lot of hard work was put into the lodge. Picture: Hein Kaiser Mdluli Safari Lodge, on the edge of the Kruger National Park next to Numbi Gate, is a working example of a land claim turned into a successful community tourism initiative. It's delivering employment and economic benefits under a public-private partnership that is majority-owned by the Mdluli community. Chris Schalkwyk, director at the lodge, said the project was based on the vision of Chief MZ Mdluli. 'He wanted to reclaim the community's land to create employment and use it for conservation and tourism.' Lodge based on the vision of Chief MZ Mdluli The land was returned to the community in the late '90s after a lengthy negotiation process. 'It took from around 1994 until 1998 to get the land back. After that, it was another 27 years before the lodge could be built due to environmental approvals and raising capital,' Schalkwyk said. Construction started in 2019 and the lodge opened in January 2020. However, the Covid pandemic forced a temporary closure within weeks of its launch. ALSO READ: Vultures lead rangers to one of SANParks' largest poisoning events The lodge has since stabilised and now operates as a fully functioning business. It has focused on community involvement throughout its operations, Schalkwyk said. 'We have drilled boreholes supplying water to about 4 000 people in the nearby village. We are also working on an egg-laying project that will supply eggs to the lodge and the community.' Local businesses supply produce and services A lot of hard work was put into the lodge. Picture: Hein Kaiser Local businesses supply fresh produce to the lodge and services such as waste removal and staff transport are provided by small enterprises in the community. 'We also run a bush-clearing project that employs 10 people. The community's tribal authority sells the harvested wood for revenue and some is used by the lodge,' Schalkwyk said. ALSO READ: Mozambican man killed, another injured in Kruger National Park shootout Alien plant removal projects are also underway. The lodge currently employs 130 people on a permanent basis. Schalkwyk said additional jobs have been created through support services, including waste removal, transport, bush clearing, and landscaping. Additional jobs created 'In total, close to 200 people are employed. Considering that many households in the area have eight to 12 dependants per breadwinner, the economic impact reaches over 2 000 individuals,' he said. 'We recruited around 70% of our staff from the community, including many who had not worked in tourism before. Experienced staff from other lodges were brought in to support training and skills development.' ALSO READ: Armed robbers steal meat from delivery truck near Kruger Park The lodge draws employees from four villages and has implemented a policy to distribute job opportunities evenly.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Anti-poaching K9 camp opens in Kruger National Park
An anti-poaching K9 camp was officially opened at the Mdluli Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday. The camp, whose opening coincided with International Earth Day 2025, will be a base of operations for rangers and their K9 counterparts, working together in the fight against poaching in the KNP. The executive manager of Mdluli Safari Lodge, Chris Schalkwyk, said the establishment of the special K9 camp proves that with good relationships and local and international cooperation, a huge difference can be made in conservation. The camp will operate under the Mdluli Conservation and Anti-Poaching Reserve, which is inside the fenced area of the park, near Pretoriuskop. 'It is responsible for patrolling 24km of the western boundary fence of the KNP. This is done with the support of Genesis K9, SANParks and the SANParks Honorary Rangers, who are doing excellent work in assisting with the removal of snares and alien plants in the park,' said Schalkwyk. 'Donations from our Italian partner and tour operator company, il Diamante, facilitated by Davide Bomben, and other gracious donors from Italy have made our dream of a K9 anti-poaching camp become a reality,' added Schalkwyk. During the opening, certificates of appreciation for support and donations were handed over to SANParks, SANParks Honorary Rangers Lowveld Region, il Diamante, Bomben, Café Rider, SoSimple Solar, Ges'in, Fondazione LAC, Beauval Nature and Mdluli Safari Lodge. A special demonstration by the Genesis K9 Rangers, featuring the incredible Axel, also took place during the event. Axel is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois tracking dog, capable of scenting humans, explosives, firearms and rhino horns. In attendance were the Mdluli Safari Lodge Partnerships' board chairperson, Nelly Mdhluli, Mdluli Safari Lodge Group CEO Malcom Segal, Genesis K9 Group CEO Thys Klein, SANParks Regional Ranger in Maroela South, Tinyiko Golele and others. In thanking the initiative's supporters, Schalkwyk said that contributions to the 24/7 unit have already resulted in several successes, including the arrest of four suspects, the training of more than 40 rangers, and the removal of almost 3 000 snares and around 150 alien plants. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
