Gakeonyatse Motingwe, or as we call her “Ruth”, has been working for 7 years at Rhulani. A glimpse into the life of one of our faithful employees.

"Many things have changed here in Rhulani in recent months," says Ruth on this windy morning, when the guests have already departed for the early game drive. Ruth is right on her way to room number 7, where she is assigned for her daily cleaning. She has a big smile on her face, which is more than a trained habits of friendliness of the staff in a five-star lodge. It is a warm smile that comes from inside. “We have many returned guests who are always surprised when they see what new things we have at Rhulani, including better service."

She lives with two of her three children and two grandchildren in the nearby village Lekgophung. The Northwest Province has been home to Ruth since she moved out of Soweto in 1979. "Life is peacefully here and I don’t have to worry about violence, therefore I can easily walk to the neighbouring village”, says Ruth, as she puts her cleaning bucket on the floor and opens the door. “In summer months I usually sleep under the African sky and I don’t have to worry about anything", she says and adds laughing: “Only maybe the snakes, but they are more scared of humans as we are scared of them, so it really is not a problem.”

As all employees, Ruth works 28 days and is off for 12 days. Her partner is also working long shifts, therefor there is no problem for her to manage this cycle. “We see each other every 3 months”. Ruth opens the window and Madikwe brings fresh air in the room. “On my off-days I am at home with my family or visit my sister and my blind mum in Mafikeng.”

Ruth was given the name from her grandmother, but on her ID card she is officially called Gakeonyatse Motingwe. “It is a very good name”, says Ruth, “Gakeonyatse means that I cannot blame God for what I am. For example, I can not blame him for not having a husband at my age.”

"If I could wish something?" Ruth is thinking. "I may soon no longer be healthy enough or too old to work and I will stay at home and that breaks my heart. I wish I could turn back the hands of time to 2007 and start again at Rhulani, be a bit younger."