Ngwenya Newsletter December 2019

Another year of sunrises and sunsets has passed over the Crocodile River; the seasons rebirthed a fresh, rich landscape and the River, dedicated to the wildlife community it serves, ebbed and flowed deeper into the sands of time. While life along the River, and into the heart of the Kruger National Park, remained unchanged in its annual cycle, the Lodge Team endured the hardships of 2020 alongside the South African people. The year

behind us was indeed difficult but the lessons and strengthened Ngwenya family which have emerged have put us on the right foot to embrace the future with excitement. With you, our valued Shareholders, by our sides, Ngwenya will overcome the toughest of challenges. Allow us to recap on the past year before we step into a brave, new future together.

Sights and Sounds of the Kruger

Well-known to be an elusive species when compared to its Big 5 counterpart, the lion, leopards are fascinating creatures. These big cats, while often seen roaming in the Kruger, have set territories which they mark regularly. One such leopard has often been spotted along the banks of the Crocodile River from the Ngwenya viewing deck; he is believed to be the resident male and is often sighted in what has been dubbed ‘his favourite tree’.

What have always been deemed rather comical creatures, hyenas are toughened animals. Their common enemies are big cats, such as leopards and lions, which they often follow to scavenge off the cats’ leftovers. Guests in the Sabi Sands region of the Park recently had a good chuckle at a hyena that came upon a lazy leopard.

Watch the video here.

Be sure to download the Kruger Sightings app and check in at Reception when plotting your Kruger drive!

The Kruger Park elephants are an incredible sight to behold and Ngwenya is certainly blessed with an abundance of these visitors along the banks of the Crocodile River. Did you know? Approximately 30 years ago, seven adult bulls with incredibly large tusks, weighing more than 50kg’s each, were dubbed ‘The Magnificent Seven’ by the Park’s warden, Dr U de V Pienaar. Once the bulls passed on, their skulls and tusks were collected and are now on display at the Elephant Hall at Letaba Rest Camp.

These incredible photos, and others, were submitted by Ngwenya guests.

Remember to share your images and stories with the Ngwenya Team to be featured on social media and in our newsletters!

myholiday@ngwenya.co.za

While the Ngwenya Team may not have had many opportunities to provide our valued Shareholders with exciting onsite games and activities, the Shareholder communications kept the Resort spirit alive with fun-filled competitions. We enjoyed all the puzzles and photo recreations you submitted,

but in the end there can only be one

FULL WEEK BONUS BOOKING WINNER

Congratulations to Sandra Brown

for snatching up ONE FULL WEEK BONUS BOOKING in our lucky draw!

Thank you for staying up-to-date with all things Ngwenya, throughout this tough season, as well as partaking in this awesome adventure!

Maintaining Tip-Top Shape

Ngwenya Lodge is a prized home-away-from-home holiday destination for a number of families. In our effort to maintain a high quality Resort for ultimate happy holidaying enjoyment, the dedicated Team works consistently to address areas which require some tender-love-and-care.

Reception and Hippo Bend Reservoir maintenance

Pathway lighting replaced

Shower doors in Phase 10 of the Resort have been replaced

Renovations of select Hippo Bend Chalet decks are underway

The Resort’s total 270 parking bays are being refurbished; this project is ongoing and is 28% complete

Replacing of select ovens, stove hobs and cooker hooks is underway; this project is ongoing and is 35% complete

River-Facing Chalets were identified for new mosquito-protection doors. This project is ongoing and is 48% complete

81 sleeper couches have been ordered as replacement units. This project commenced in October of 2020 and is 58% complete

Watch the sleeper couch "how-to" video

All Chalets have been identified for repainting. This project is ongoing and is 47% complete

Two division sofas are in the process of being replaced. This project is ongoing and is 68% complete

Three division sofas are in the process of being replaced. This project is ongoing and is 48% complete

Lounge lampshades, pendant shades and new wall prints have been ordered and will be installed pending delivery

Select areas of ranch fencing have been identified for TLC and are currently in the process of being replaced

The new wastewater treatment plant has been completed.

The new plant was designed to replace the lillipit system and can process up to 400 cubes of influent per day at a maximum capacity, which drastically cuts odour. The processed influent can be used to irrigate sugar cane, thereby preventing wastewater. The effluent complies with local environmental standards as required.

Mining Application Update

Recently, the Board of Directors sent out a communication to Shareholders that the environmental authorisation for mining of 5 ha on Tecklenburg 568 JU Farm has been refused. Should any further developments occur, we shall notify Shareholders directly. We thank all those who participated in the public participation process.

For further information, take a look at the Ngwenya Blog.

Good Vibes and Great Company

The Ngwenya Lodge Team remains dedicated to providing an environment for creating everlasting holiday memories. While 2020 dealt a blow, by the Lodge having to close to the public; the moment the gates were reopened, good vibes and happy times were underway. Here’s what Ngwenya has been up to:

September School Holidays

Kicking off the summer season on a high note, guests were welcomed onto the Resort after weeks of being forced to remain closed. Guests were elated to return and impressed by the efforts made by the Ngwenya Team to maintain the Lodge throughout the nationwide lockdown. Families enjoyed the sunshine and relaxed poolside, while kids joined in on some social-distancing fun with the holiday programme – even a few parents popped by to enjoy the entertainment! There were smiles all round, some incredible game-viewing and balmy weather throughout the September School Holidays.

Heritage Day

Heritage Day welcomed happy grins from guests as the ice-cream machine returned to Reception at check-in for a much-needed, refreshing treat of chocolate or vanilla swirl. Each guest was also entered into a fun-tastic raffle to win a mini braai and snack hamper. A lucky couple from Unit 217, the Warner’s, won the raffle and enjoyed their delicious holiday treats! Later in the evening everyone was ushered through the doors of Le Fera Restauant where a delectable Heritage-themed dinner was served.

Welcoming a new Ngwenya Family Member

The Ngwenya Team would like to take the opportunity to extend a warm and hearty welcome to Wian-Louis Maas as the new Commercial Manager at Ngwenya! Wian-Louis also goes by the nickname 'Wanlo'; he enjoys reading in his spare time and has a passion for painting. Be sure to say hi the next time you see him!

Health and Safety as Our Priority

In compliance with government-enforced regulations, as well as Ngwenya’s own measures, a range of COVID-19 protocols have been established at the Lodge. These include sanitisation, mask-wearing, temperature-reading and social-distancing parameters. A number of other measures have also been implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, while minimising disturbance to guests’ experiences. Ngwenya Lodge will continue to monitor ongoing updates to the regulations and abide by the highest standards of health and safety to maintain a safe holiday environment.

Read All About It

We aim to share valuable information on our blog to keep you updated and entertained. Click on the links for more!

Into The Biome

Ngwenya Lodge sits comfortably along the winding Crocodile River on the South-Eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park. Being located at prime river-frontage, a major water source for Kruger wildlife makes Ngwenya well-positioned for year-round game-viewing. However, exploring the Kruger …

Read other interesting articles here and submit your comments.

Awards and Applause

We’d like to take a moment to remind you of the fantastic achievements of Ngwenya Lodge and the Team at the RCI OSCAS, as well as the VRS Annual Awards. These achievements are incredible feats and highlight the Teams’ dedication towards high standards and creating an environment for everlasting holiday memories. Congratulations to the Ngwenya Lodge Team; we look forward to seeing you grow from this foundation of success!

32nd Annual RCI OSCAS Ceremony

Top Gold Crown Resort – Large:
WINNER


Superior Service in Hospitality – Large: WINNER	Top Check-In and Check-Out – Large: WINNER

Top Housekeeping – Large: 3rd Place	Top Unit Maintenance – Large: 4th Place

Top Resort Maintenance – Large: 4th Place

VRS Annual Awards


Resort Manager of the Year Diederik Herholdt	Operations Manager of the Year Juan Prinsloo

Front Office HOD of the Year Chantelle Alberts	Waiter of the Year Bonsile Dlamini (Le Fera Waiter)

Big Daddy Award Diederik Herholdt (Resort Manager)	Hands On Award Diederik Herholdt & Sarie Herholdt (Resort Manager & Senior Administrator)

We celebrate the spirit that drives each and every individual that works consistently at making Ngwenya Lodge a true home-away-from-home and at creating the environment for everlasting holiday memories for all our Shareholders, and our guests.

Expand your holiday horizons through a range of available ownership weeks. Simply visit the Uni-Vate Properties website and browse to find your perfect match. Secure an additional home-away-from-home week at one of South Africa’s finest Resorts.

The bushveld, the wildlife and the beauty of South Africa

Welcome to the leopards lair

Hear the roar of the Kruger

A close escape

The gem of Mpumalanga

UniVate Properties

If you would like to explore more destinations, click here

AFRICAN BLESSINGS
As our Jochebed Children’s Village continues to grow, so do our laundry loads! We are raising funds to purchase an industrial washing machine that will go a long way in helping us manage the big task of keeping the Village’s linen and little King’s clothes clean and fresh, while reducing the cost and the time spent on managing the loads of laundry. Read our blog to find out how you can contribute to our cause.

Read our blog

OPTIONS - Let’s get comfy with holiday ‘Options’!
Let’s get comfy with holiday ‘Options’!
As the custodian of your preferred holiday destination, Vacation Recreational Services is consistently looking out for your best interests, as they relate to important and quality holidays. Consequently, VRS recently teamed up with Options. Options (previously VRS Options) is an independent exchange organisation that provides you, as a valued Shareholder, the opportunity of exchanging your week for an alternative holiday in any given year, should you like to. For more information and for exchange enquiries, please contact Options directly on info@holidayoptions.co.za, or visit their website – www.holidayoptions.co.za.

Let’s get back to happy holidaying!

Go to the Options website

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Important Notices

2021 Calendar >
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Instruction Letter 2021 >
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VRS Website >
Visit here

COVID-19 >
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In Closing

While the book of 2020 is wrapped up and placed on the shelf, alongside years gone by, the Ngwenya Team remains grateful for the lessons learnt over the past few months, and remains thankful, to you, our valued Shareholders, for your continued support. The Crocodile River, a stone's throw away, swells as the summer rains bless the landscape. A warm summer breeze brushes away the worry from tired shoulders, dissipating over the lush vegetation in the distance. Up in the sunset-lit sky above, a fish eagle soars and cries out - a welcoming

and powerful sound of the bush. In the coming year, you will all be able to return to your preferred home-away-from-home and experience sights as incredible as this one. We look forward to the merriment, laughter and special moments which will unfold over the course of the New Year. For now, however, we wish you and your family a wonderful Festive Season - a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, before the pages of the New Year are opened and put to pencil. Here's to creating more everlasting holiday memories!

Festive season greetings!
Marjorie Forssman

VRS – Managing Director

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Disclaimer: Please be aware that Government Regulations surrounding the South African lockdown and COVID-19 are continuously being amended and updated. As such, we remain committed to providing you with relevant communications which are accurate and reflect the latest updates at the time of publishing. These regulations are subject to change and may need to be reviewed on occasion. We thank you for your understanding.