Meet our new Assistant Lodge Manager Amukelani

With a background in hotel management and a passion for learning, Amukelani "Amu" Sithole is carving out an exceptional career for himself at Baobab Ridge, impressing all who meet him with his passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and service excellence... 

His smile says it all. Proud as punch to be the new Assistant Lodge Manager, putting on his new uniform for the first time was a special moment for Amu, and marked the beginning of the next phase of what has so far been a stellar career in tourism - an industry he loves being part of.

Born and raised in Acornhoek where he did all of his schooling up to matric, the 39-year-old father of three has worked hard to get where he is and has overcome the challenges that humble beginnings so often present. 

"When I completed my matriculation in 2002, I was unable to continue with my studies due to financial constraints, but I determined not to let that stop me from learning and growing," says Amu shyly. "So, I joined my grandfather in the Eastern Cape. He was involved in building houses. It wasn't my chosen career path, but I stayed for four years learning what I could and saving so I could pursue my real interest which was tourism. So, in 2008 I enrolled at Tshwane University of Technology to do a distance learning course in travel and tourism, finishing the course in 2010 while based in Nelspruit," explains Amu.

"I was one of the luckiest students because I managed to do my practical in 2010 while still studying, completing the six-month on-the-job training at the Road Lodge and City Lodge in Nelspruit, and after the six-month practical I was offered a permanent job at Road Lodge, which I gladly accepted. It was the big break I had been hoping for and I loved learning about every aspect of hotel management, moving around the country as I progressed," he says. "I spent six months in the City Lodge in Rustenberg in North West Province before being moved to City Lodge in Bryanston, Johannesburg, where I stayed for four years. By this time, I was a duty manager and loved my job. But still yearned to learn more in different aspects of tourism.

"So, I returned home to Acornhoek to study some more, undertaking a teaching course through Unisa, which I am still busy with part-time. I got a job in a local Hoedspruit restaurant and worked there from 2016 to 2018 when I joined a boutique luxury guest house, putting my experience to work for the next few years. Of course, COVID19 hit us all very hard, and I eventually joined the Baobab Ridge team last year as a waiter and front-of-house assistant, determined to make a fresh start," Amu shares. 

"Tourism was always something I wanted to do and that I really enjoy. I have a true passion for it, and I always think it's much easier to do a job you really love and that you are committed to, rather than just working to earn money. I am blessed in this respect. I am where I belong and am growing," he says. 

Amu constantly needs to fuel his passion for learning new things, and loved the processes it involves. "I am currently studying for my FGASA qualifications as well as my teaching qualifications through Unisa, shadowing our guide Devine when I can. I'm looking forward to gaining more experience and understanding the bush a lot more. Of course I have to balance this with being the Assistant Lodge Manager but I think it's good to have as wide an understanding of the safari industry as possible," the studious Amu says. 

"I fell in love with the bush as soon as I moved here and getting my guiding qualification will fulfil my hunger for learning, even if I don't ever work as a guide. I love getting as much experience as possible." 

When the chance came to apply for the Assistant Manager's position Amu jumped at the chance to push himself and was lucky enough to get the job. "I am exceptionally proud of this achievement as I feel my qualifications and experience in the industry are being recognised and are being put to good use. And of course I am doing my favourite thing which is learning!" he laughs.

"We learn every day and learning is a privilege. The nice thing about working with guests is that you meet people from all different walks of life, from different countries and cultures, learning about them and where they come from. It's also wonderful to engage with them and contribute to making their stay at Baobab Ridge truly special," says Amu.

"I don't want to limit myself where learning is concerned, I would like to grow with the company further and see where life takes us... This is a wonderful place and a wonderful team to be part of. It's a close-knit team that's very much like a family."

Family is something very precious to Amu. "I am married to a beautiful lady who was a childhood friend and is now my partner for life, and we are blessed with three daughters, aged 12, 10 and three," he explains. "I met my former English teacher recently and told him about my eldest daughter who is now at his high school, and he is now watching out for her and pushing her to achieve great things."

It seems that the learning apple has not fallen far from the tree where Amu is concerned. "I hope I am passing on my passion for personal growth to my girls. It's important to me to be a role model in everything I do, and if my daughters can achieve the same happiness in their work that I have, I will be very content."