Mabalingwe Newsletter June 2020

We are officially half-way through the year, and in spite of all that has happened in the world, we are amazed at how swiftly the months have gone by. The winter season is settling-in in the Waterberg – yet it is still so easy to appreciate views of the surrounding vegetation with its myriad of warm golden brown hues. The days begin with cool misty mornings that lead into cosy afternoons under

the warm bushveld sun and the ever-so-mesmerising African sunsets. Such magical moments prompt us to also look back at the past 6 months with an appreciation of all the moments that have happened thus far. Allow us this opportunity to inform you of all the great things that have transpired at your favourite Waterberg escape over the course of these initial months.

VRS Covid-19 Shareholder Notice

We would like to extend our gratitude to every shareholder, as well as to South Africa as a nation, for heeding the call of President Cyril Ramaphosa on the eve of the nation address in relation to the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions. We, as the Managing Agent of your preferred holiday destination, would like to thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to navigate this pandemic.

A message from Marjorie Forssman, Managing Director of Vacation Recreational Services:

“Our commitment to providing an environment to create everlasting memories for all our shareholders and guests remains at the forefront of our mission. In light of the current COVID-19 situation, VRS is implementing viable management solutions for your home-away-from-home to ensure the health and safety of you and your families for when you can enjoy your holidays once more. The VRS Team extends their heartfelt empathy for all who have been affected, direct- or indirectly, by this outbreak. Our faith lies firmly that South Africa will emerge from this situation stronger than before and with a heightened appreciation for this beautiful country; let us remain united as a nation.”

Kindly note, in compliance with government regulations and our own policies and procedures that Mabalingwe Nature Reserve will remain closed to the public until it is deemed appropriate, by government, to return to normal operations. That being said, we want you to know that we are missing the sight of all your lovely families arriving in Reception and the happy sounds of your holidays unfolding! We are eagerly awaiting, and we know you are too, the day when we are able to open our gates once more; returning to a time where you may relish every moment at your ‘Waterberg bushveld escape’ in a safe and relaxing environment.

Click here to view relevant COVID-19-related news and information

As our further commitment to you during these trying times as we are sure you are looking forward
to being able to visit your home-away-from-home:

DON'T LOSE YOUR WEEK

VRS Options has been made available to our shareholders to deposit the week(s) which have been lost, due to the nationwide lockdown and/or the extended closure of Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in return for tokens to the full value of the respective week.

Please visit VRS Options, bank the stay you can no longer occupy and retrieve your tokens, to be used for a future Resort-stay. A small Exchange Fee is the only payment required to open the possibilities of a multitude of Resorts to you. While we understand this means you might not receive an equivalent stay at Mabalingwe for a future date, we are sure this gesture, of an alternative holiday for your family, will result in many cherished holiday memories.

Visit VRS Options

Our thoughts and prayers are with each shareholder, as you manoeuvre through these trying times. Please do not hesitate to reach out to VRS Property Admin, should you require further information.

All emails can be directed to propertyadmin@vrs.co.za

Waterberg bushveld escape
– A Legacy worth taking good care of

We are well aware of and sensitive to the impact of the current state of national disaster, but in our role as ‘caretaker’ of your Resort, we understand that our monthly obligations – such as municipal charges, rates and taxes, administration, Resort maintenance – remain payable; and are necessary in order for us to ensure that we are able to welcome you back to your beautiful Resort as soon as possible.

We would like to thank all those shareholders who have continued to pay their levies, especially those who have paid even though they, sadly, lost the use of their week this year, due to the COVID-19 situation.

This is a Team-Mabalingwe match
and we need each one of our shareholders,
at our side, in the line-up.

We thank all shareholders for your continued support in ensuring the upkeep of the Resort at this time.

A round of applause for a job well done!

Mabalingwe once again retained Gold Crown status at the annual RCI OSCAS Awards, and placed seventh in the Top Check-in and Check-out category (Large) and in 6th place in the esteemed Top Housekeeping category (Large). Congratulations to the Mabalingwe Team!

Mabalingwe also received the prestigious Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor for consistently proving to be a favourite holiday spot; as is evident from the numerous reviews left by happy travellers.

Go to TripAdvisor

Thank you for choosing Mabalingwe as your preferred holiday destination. A few of our guests had this to say about their favourite memories at Mabalingwe:

“Mabalingwe never disappoints - this was our first stay at the Kubu camp and we really enjoyed the remoteness of these units. We had many visits from the wildlife! We particularly enjoyed the swimming pools at Kubu and Phiri camps!”
Jane O

“Mabalingwe is always a place of tranquillity and peace. The chalets are clean, spacious and well equipped and the bar provides amazing views over the bush and are just a perfect place to relax at the end of a days game viewing.”
katewhitt

“Truly love this Resort! The staff are so friendly and welcoming; makes you feel at home. Facilities, cleanliness, quality is out of this world. The staff at the Oasis Bar are amazing, and the vibe is astonishing. Thank you for making our weekend and holiday a memorable one!”
lizelle417

“Great place to unwind. The cottages often sit on a slope with a view of the hills and bush. Buck and warthog pass through the bush grazing on the grass and leaves right beneath your patio. You can sit there in the evenings and watch the sun set and listen to the birds chirping. Very peaceful and relaxing.”
malexander2019

“We always enjoy spending time at Mabalingwe. It’s great for a family trip. It’s great for a couple’s trip. An all-round brilliant holiday. We will certainly be returning in the future and are looking forward to making more memories in the bush!”
AnuskaGordon

Leave your memories and favourite moments about Mabalingwe on TripAdvisor.

Stay in-the-know with your home-away-from-home!

Celebrate your special occasion at Mabalingwe

The Le Fera Restuarant and Vultures View Bar at Mabalingwe remain popular favourites! Here, the most delicious meals and refreshments are served and the views are unmatched!
Did you know that the Le Fera Restaurant and Vultures View Bar can be booked for special occasion celebrations? Our hospitality team will set up and decorate the space you select according to your requirements, to compliment the occasion.
If you are going to be celebrating in the comfort of your chalet, pop into our Plaaswinkel to purchase our vibrant range of party goodies!

For more information be sure to visit our website, or send an email enquiry to contactus@mabalingwe.com for more information.

Mbali Day Spa

The Mbali Day Spa is a sanctuary where guests come to relax and unwind. This relaxing journey starts at VRS Reception, where guests are welcomed and treated to a complimentary shoulder and hand massage to say “thank you” for visiting Mabalingwe, at check-in. We are always on a quest to improve our service offering and Mbali Day Spa recently partnered with Kalahari Ancient Desert Secrets products to bring you a new variety of pampering spa treatments. Kalahari beauty products combine unique blends of oils and herbs, which encapsulate the essence of nature. To ensure that we continue to provide guests with superior quality, new and improved spa beds have been incorporated into the Spa. Our amazing Spa Therapists also receive regular training on new treatment techniques and products to ensure that they keep abreast of the latest in spa therapy trends.

Wildlife at Mabalingwe

Mother Nature has been good to Mabalingwe! The summer rains blessed us with 204mm, filling up our dams and enriching the vegetation for the wildlife on the Nature Reserve. The animals are all in good condition from enjoying the rich spoils of the rainy season. In particular, the antelope are thriving, and we welcomed newborn Impala and Nyala calves all over the Waterberg during this time. The bushveld was lush and green through the summer and our abundant bird life is enjoying the water resources on the Reserve.

Upgrades and refurbishments at Mabalingwe!

Take a look at the upgrades which are currently in process to provide an even more beautiful space for you
to escape to:

Interior upgrades of the units

	Installing new carpets in the units
	Converting the bath/shower combination to a walk-in-shower in all 4-sleeper units
	Repairing shower frame silicone seals in the unit bathrooms

Exterior upgrades of the units

	Painting unit outside walls
	Painting the outside tables
	Painting the braai stand structures

Additional upgrades

	Painting the plant pots in the gardens
	Refurbishing the bathroom facilities at the Recreation area
	The Boeretroos Coffee Shop deck has been expanded
	An additional deck near the jumping pillow was installed to create more seating for guests

	A new garden swinging bench was installed in the Recreation area
	A tractor, jungle-gym and colourful recycled decorations were installed at the children’s Recreation area
	A new generator to supply electricity to the main Reception, Restaurant and Mbali Day Spa was purchased
	An additional parking lot was created for guests at the main Recreation area

Festivities the Mabalingwe way!

The Mabalingwe Team loves holidays and special occasions! More so, they adore celebrating these all with you, our valued shareholders.

December / January Holidays

The infectious festive cheer was palpable. It could be heard in the laughter from the children as they played fun interactive games, the splashes in the pool and the sizzling sounds coming from the braai stands. Our team really worked hard to ensure that guests had a one-of-a-kind Mabalingwe holiday experience.

Christmas Day

It was a merry and jolly Christmas to remember at Mabalingwe! Our reception area was embellished with fitting Christmas decorations to celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year!” Santa rode around in style, not on a sleigh, but on a game-viewing vehicle; perfect for manoeuvring around to spread the festive cheer! Le Fera Restaurant hosted a wonderful Christmas Lunch buffet with delicious home-style dishes to satisfy young and old!

Valentine’s Day

“Roses are red, violets are blue, you love celebrating romance, and we do, too.” Cupid’s arrow landed at Mabalingwe, leaving a whimsical and romantic mark everywhere you turned! We had our Reception area and the Le Fera Restaurant adorned with red and white decorations for the perfect Valentine’s Day that made the hearts of our guests melt. Le Fera Restaurant also hosted a hearty romantic dinner to celebrate the day of love. What a lovely way to celebrate the ‘most romantic day’ of the year.

Tribute to Australia

We may be nestled in the heart of the Waterberg, but as part of the global village, we are affected when other areas locally and internationally are impacted by unfortunate events. Australia was plagued by wide-spread harmful and fierce fires that destroyed and impacted the lives of many. In tribute to what Australia was going through, we observed a day where we remembered them in thought and in prayer. We shared kangaroo and koala-bear themed cupcakes with our guests.

Mabalingwe is an oasis for travellers, a variety of wildlife and the incredible biome which encapsulates it all. Delve deeper into the world of Mabalingwe by reading our latest blogs:

Turn your home into a lockdown haven

Our country, and the globe at large is dealing with a pandemic that has forced world leaders to implement unprecedented measures in the fight against the COVID-19 virus. On Monday, 23 March 2020, South Africans all tuned in as President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the country to announce a 21-day national lockdown, which has subsequently been…