The Gentle Strength Behind the Scenes: Celebrating the dads of Kruger Shalati

“Dadda, did you cook with fire today,” asks Cillian wide-eyed. “Did you burn?”

A daily conversation between Chef Vusi and his 4-year-old. A fire, already ignited in a boy growing up in the wild of the Kruger.

From kitchens to control rooms, guest desks to game drives – our dads do it all. They are leaders, listeners, teachers, and adventurers.

This Father’s Day, we honour the men at Kruger Shalati who lead with heart, grit, and quiet strength – walking the tightrope of balancing the demands of their departments with the even greater adventure of being a dad. Get to know some of the fathers who help make Kruger Shalati the unforgettable place it is, both for our guests and their own families.

The Kitchen King: Vusi Mbatha, Head Chef

Every day begins with a morning meeting and a meticulous to-do list, but Chef Vusi’s favourite part of the day is the break between shifts when he gets to go home and spend some time with Cilly and Marni. It’s in these everyday moments – bathtime, little chats, shared laughter – that he truly finds balance.

Vusi lives by the ethos of “being present, not just available.” He says, “Whether I’m at home with my family or leading the team at work, I try to give my full attention to the moment and the people around me. It’s about quality over quantity – making every interaction count.”

Not surprising then that Vusi’s perfect Father’s Day would be a simple, yet intimate day spent celebrating with good food, a family game drive and of course time spent at the L’il Gricers play area at our sister property, Kruger Station (a short walk from Kruger Shalati). And let’s not forget… time spent at the braai (cooking with fire) with “sous chef” Cilly.

The Steady Hand: Justice Mutshinya, Lodge Manager

As the Lodge Manager since day one, Justice spends his days ensuring the Kruger Shalati experience is nothing short of exceptional. But ask him about his favourite role, and he’ll tell you it’s being “dad.”

“Getting home and having the kids run up to greet you is therapeutic,” says Justice. “It erases the weight of the day and reminds me of the things that truly matter.”

Whenever his kids visit, they (unsurprisingly) make a beeline for the Kruger Station playground – a place they call their “heaven in the park,” complete with pizza, ice cream, and that sweet, carefree freedom that childhood memories are made of.

Justice lives by a simple, powerful rule: keep your promises. And if you can’t, explain why and make it right. His ideal Father’s Day? A picnic, a game drive, and dinner under the stars at our newly completed Trackside Dining space – making memories and not just living through the moments.

The Wild-at-Heart Wanderer: Bonga Njajula, Head Guide

“My days are a mix of guest interactions, emails and mentoring the next generation of guides,” says Bonga, our Head Guide. With a passion for bid watching and spotting elusive wildlife, his two little ones remain the focus of his attention.

“Balancing family and work is a matter of priorities,” he says, so Bonga always ensures there’s time left in the day to spend with his family.

For a bush-loving family like the Njajulas, it’s no surprise then that his perfect Father’s Day would be one filled with game viewing in the Kruger bush. Just them, the wilderness, and the stories waiting to be told.

A fascination with the wild that has already taken root in the hearts of his two little ones.

The Numbers Guy with Heart: Fareed Ebrahim, Procurement Manager

Five years in, Fareed is the quiet engine that keeps supplies flowing and departments running. His family life looks a little different: Fareed lives onsite, with his wife and adult children visiting from time to time. (Or with Fareed going up to Gauteng to see them.)

It’s a massive enterprise to ensure that everything from soap to champagne is always available, but Fareed takes it all in his stride.
“It’s a lot of heart, hustle and countless spreadsheets,” he laughs, when asked how he manages it.

Despite the commute between Fareed and his family, he passionately believes that family comes first. For him, a perfect Father’s Day is simply a big table, a lot of laughs and catching up, and everyone he loves within reach.

The Tech Whisperer: Hannes Scheepers, IT Manager

“As long as the internet is on, the sun shines every day,” says Hannes. He’s the digital lifeline of Kruger Shalati, juggling networks, systems, and signal strength – sometimes with a child asking, “Dad, is the Wi-Fi on?”

His work fascinates his kids, especially when he lifts the lid on how their devices magically connect to the world. But Hannes’ greatest pride lies in showing them that tough times don’t last. Kruger Shalati, after all, rose from a pandemic to become an icon – and that resilience is a lesson he’s keen to pass on.

For Hannes, Father’s Day would be tech-free: just great food, uninterrupted time spent with his family and stories shared between bites and belly laughs.

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible men who lead with compassion, serve with dedication, and parent with joy. You are deeply appreciated.

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