Richard is an indispensable member of Rhulani’s maintenance team since nine years. We accompany Richard at work and learn more about a very reliable, quiet and modest employee.

Richard puts the pickaxe aside and takes a breath. "The leak is right here, under the pathway". In his face, between beads of sweat and wrinkles because of the effort, there is a little smile. He knew immediately where the problem was. The repair of broken water pipes belongs to the list of maintenance duties, and it happens quite often.

Richard shovels earth out of this rough spot, to uncover the pipe. "Last night we chased an elephant out of the camp," says Richard, "and this happened right here". The weight of this heavy animal was probably too much. Hard stones in the earth broke the pipe. Richard unscrews the defective element and pulls it out.

Richard, whose name is actually Tlhomamo Mogajane, knows Rhulani like his own pocket. "I started to work here on 21 March 2007", he tells us with surprising exactness. "The date is on my monthly payslip, so I remember very well."

After nine years, Richard feels definitely at home at Rhulani. But it is more than that. He looks back: “Before that I had a building contract. I was a bricklayer, and it was around 2004, when I was contracted to build a new lodge in Madikwe, called Rhulani.” Richard looks to the main building. “I built Rhulani with my own hands”, he says, “but who has built the roof, I do not remember". But Richard was also in charge of plumbing work. "You see, that's why I know everything about the pipes!"

Richard inserts carefully a new connecting element, and tells us: "After work here was finished, the contractor released me. I sat bored at home until one day Rhulani's cook Mavis came to my house and said, that they were seeking a person for maintainance there”. Richard applied immediately, and three days later, he got the job.

The pipe fits perfectly, and a test of whether the water flows easily, is successful. "It is much better to work as an employee," says Richard, "because here I do not struggle with accommodation, and I have not to worry about transportation". Richard feels happy with working conditions. "Our team is working all right, and we received new staff accommodation, which is more comfortable for us".

Richard covers the hole with earth. As many of his working colleagues he lives in a village nearby, around 90km away from Madikwe. He lives there with his family and has a girlfriend and a stepchild. Richard cleans the pathway, and removes cordon, so guests can pass through again.

A private final question: Will Richard be married soon? He laughs a bit embarrassed: "I will tell you when I am ready." Is this so difficult? "Yes, it's a long process, and above all, expensive. To get the bride I have to pay four cows, so I have to save money first." He shrugs. “I have goats, but her father wants cows." Richard picks up the tools and disappears into the back yard. At Rhulani, there is now water again in all rooms. Once again, Richard has solved an important problem. Quietly and reliably.