Cherise was born and raised in Vanderbijlpark (Gauteng) and stayed with her mother in Durbanville, Cape town for about a year. After working for debt councillors, she moved onto being an accounts supervisor at Sabi Sands Wildtuin. She then heard about a vacancy at Kruger Shalati, and the rest is history. Now, Cherise and her husband, Harold, along with their two children, Zanelle (7) and Zayne (3), and a Pekingese named Peanut, have started a new life in Mpumalanga.
We had a chat with Cherise about her journey to Kruger Shalati.
I have only been with Kruger Shalati for a short while, but my biggest highlight and what I am super excited about is learning the new systems. And even though I have not yet met most of my work colleagues, I feel like part of the team because everyone has been so welcoming.
I am looking forward to seeing what an amazing project this is going to turn into. Working and helping to get everything up and running makes me so excited for the future of Kruger Shalati. I can’t wait to start working from site with everyone and see how everything just falls into place.
A Giraffe. When they walk around, they are always in small numbers and they always look at ease. I don’t like to socialise with a lot of people at a time, and when I do I feel drained afterwards. I also value the quietness of a room or the outdoors.
My favourite colour is green, I love butter chicken, addicted to coffee, enjoy watching Grey’s Anatomy and my favourite movie is ‘Life as we know it’.
To be honest, I don’t think I have any talent, or any that I have discovered yet. My friends laugh at my jokes, but that is about it.
Anything relating to women’s cancer and protecting our wildlife.
Is cleaning a hobby? Just joking. I used to play golf, but can’t remember the last time I did. I listen to a lot of music (not an expert) but I just love how music and dancing feeds the soul.
“At a previous job, one of our directors enjoyed prank calling me; he would use an accent pretending to be someone else, and testing my patience with silly questions to see how I will react. So one day the phone rang and when I answered and heard a similar accent. I thought it was him, so I called him out and started laughing. The poor man had no idea who ‘Gerhard’ was or why I was laughing at him. I was so embarrassed and apologised at least five times during that phone call.”
We’re going to have to up our game at Kruger Shalati if we want to outsmart this one with pranks. We’re looking forward to the challenge.
The summer rains have reshaped the landscape of the Kruger, and with them, the way the park is experienced in this moment. From our vantage point on the bridge, we’ve been witnessing a season of resilience, collaboration, and extraordinary wildlife encounters unfold day by day.
Published: 21 January 2026 at 11:00 amFrequently Asked Questions Is Kruger Shalati open despite the recent rainfall? Yes. Kruger Shalati remains open, fully operational, and warmly welcoming guests.While…
A new year arrives at our doorstep, carried in on swollen clouds and the deep, nourishing rains of the Lowveld. The Sabie River rises, not in haste, but…
Kruger Shalati
the Train on the Bridge
Selati Station & Bridge
Skukuza Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
