Episodes

  • Cooking Up Dreams - Inside Singita's Community Culinary School with Prue Leith Culinary Institute

    Cooking Up Dreams - Inside Singita's Community Culinary School with Prue Leith Culinary Institute
    Oct 28 2024
    A tasty tale today. Meet three phenomenal chefs with different roles but they agree that the Singita Community Culinary Schools (SCCS) gives them goosebumps.
    Chef Adele Stiehler-van der Westhuizen, managing director of Prue Leith Culinary Institute, hosts a chat with Chef Nande Magojo (Chef Skills Developer at Singita Kruger) and Chef Andrew Nicholson (Singita’s Group Executive Chef).

    SCCS, partnering with Prue Leith Culinary Institute, trains youth from communities near Singita's lodges in South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda. With over 100 graduates since 2007 and a 92% employment rate – it’s really cooking! In Tanzania, 100% of the graduates are still thriving in our six lodges. Andrew highlights how successful female graduates are, taking on leadership roles.

    From simmer to sizzle. Adele and Andrew discuss the growth from Singita Kruger to Tanzania and Rwanda, with plans for Zimbabwe, and Botswana! Adele and Nande (who runs the classes) chat about the life of students and how they progress through theory, exams, and learning from seasoned chefs; graduating with talent in a year. Some even met Dame Prue Leith!

    The Prue Leith Institute shares these aims with Singita: To create culinary excellence in Africa; to be conscious of our impact (zero waste); to create chefs in touch with nature and respect ingredients; and to be connected to their cultures. We want them to share the continent's abundance on their plates. They all believe that chefs should be culinary conservationists.

    Guests can book a cooking class with the students at the lodge, which helps support their studies. Let them teach you to make chakalaka - a favourite!

    Relax, pour a glass of wine, and let us serve you a story that's equal parts inspiration and education, with a sprinkle of humour.

    "Ukudle kamnandi" (eat well) Singita Community Culinary School · The Prue Leith Culinary Institute · Cooking Class · Donate · One student per year costs $12,000 · South Africa · Rwanda · Follow Prue Leith Instagram · Singita Lebombo SCCS · Singita website
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    33 mins
  • Style & Design - Wildly Creative. The Team Designing Game-Changing Safari Experiences

    Style & Design - Wildly Creative. The Team Designing Game-Changing Safari Experiences
    Sep 30 2024
    Singita has worked with Cecile & Boyd for 30 years and the same people are still in the room today. Today, we unpack this enduring partnership – what makes it successful and fun, what drives the constant inspiration for new lodges as Singita expands.

    Lindy Rousseau (Singita’s Strategist) chats to Geordi de Sousa Costa and Paul van den Berg (Designers and Partners at Cecile & Boyd). They discuss their partnership, the evolution of their design, and vision for future. This exceptional business relationship is built on trust, collaboration, passion, and a shared vision of conservation.

    There are so many parallel stories here. Singita and Cecile & Boyd just celebrated their 30th anniversaries; both are family-owned and run; small, purpose-driven businesses with common values; both passionate about aesthetics. And who was the fabulous Cecile?

    We start when Luke Bailes hired Boyd Ferguson and Geordi in 1993 to design a pioneering lodge – Singita Ebony. Cecile & Boyd's approach at every lodge has evolved with organic, sustainable, and African design. They’re now excited about local art, artisans, and materials. It's about simplicity, authenticity, and minimising the footprint with deep connections to nature. Singita allows them creative freedom - a powerful part of the process, whether it’s a new lodge (such as Singita Kwitonda) or a refresh. We ask where the inspiration comes from.

    From humble beginnings, Cecile & Boyd has grown to interior design, architectural concepts, creative direction, and two stores. From one lodge in 1993, Singita has grown into an award-winning conservation and ecotourism brand with 19 lodges in four African countries. And soon, Botswana.

    This lively conversation embodies a quote: Milton Glaser, the famed American graphic designer, said, “You don't have to like the people you work with. But it's funny how when you do, the magic happens.” The next era of Singita Ebony · About Cecile & Boyd · Cecile Tilley Memoir · Another pioneering design, Singita Lebombo · Ebony · About Singita's history · Lebombo · GAPP Architects & Urban Designers · HesseKleinloog · Singita website
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    47 mins
  • Saving a Species: Vultures - EWT's Mission to Keep Africa's Vultures Soaring

    Saving a Species: Vultures - EWT's Mission to Keep Africa's Vultures Soaring
    Sep 6 2024
    A species in a downward spiral. Not cute or cuddly, but vultures play a crucial role as nature's clean-up crew. In this episode, Dr. Gareth Tate, the Birds of Prey Program Manager for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), chats with Ben Nichol (Conservation Impact Lead for Singita Lowveld Trust) (SLT) about vulture conservation. They discuss their role in ecosystems, the threats they face, and what's driving the alarming decline.

    Fast facts:
    • There are 23 species of vultures worldwide; 11 migrate through Africa.
    • Vultures can clean up an impala carcass (40kg) in just 10 minutes.
    • India's vulture population plummeted by 98%.
    • In SA, white-backed vultures have declined by 95% in 20 years.
    • A single poisoning event can wipe out 50-100 vultures, along with hyenas, jackals, and lions.
    • Several species are heading towards extinction and are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered globally.

    We spell out the African vulture crisis – the major impact of poisoning (and secondary poisoning); habitat loss; collisions with power lines; and illegal poaching for belief-based medicine. It's not all doom-and-gloom, as Gareth sees real hope for the future.

    Hear about EWT's amazing conservation efforts - "vulture safe zones"; rapid response to poisoning; tracking technology (over 400 birds across huge ranges); and a new 'Vulture Ambulance' in the Greater Kruger Park, with an almost 100% success rate with rescued birds.

    Every donation funds field staff, poisoning response, rehabilitation, the Raptor Emergency Fund, and tracking satellites. The SLT supports the EWT Large Raptor and Wildlife Poisoning Rapid Response programs. Singita Guides assist with rapid response to poisoning. SLT aims to offer secure habitats, contributing to the Vulture Safe Zone Alliance. www.ewt.org.za EWT Saving a Species: Vultures · Singita Lowveld Trust · Donate to the Singita Lowveld Trust · Saving a Species of Concern · Wildlife reports from Singita Sabi Sand · Vulture Day - Home · Singita website
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    32 mins
  • Hope for the future, our country, and the world - The Singita Lowveld Trust on Early Childhood Development

    Hope for the future, our country, and the world - The Singita Lowveld Trust on Early Childhood Development
    Aug 12 2024
    Linky Nkuna was born and raised in Justicia, near Singita Sabi Sand, and started her career in education. She is now the Programme Manager for Singita Lowveld Trust’s (SLT) community programmes. Today we are zooming in on one of the SLT’s programmes, Early Childhood Development (ECD), and the 17 centres it supports in communities surrounding Singita’s lodges in South Africa. Linky chats to Elsa Pallett (Marketing Manager for SLT) about the superstar, Frank Makwakwa, and the Practitioners who are driven by their love for children, and all the ways that the SLT adds value for 1,700 children and 70+ Practitioners.

    Linky believes the foundations of a child’s education is between the ages 0-5 years old. As if it’s a house, the ECD centres are starting at the foundation. She wants to give back in a more meaningful manner and play her part in getting young kids ready for school and for long-term outcomes in life.

    The first thousand days of a child's development are crucial. Did you know that children absorb 85% of their information in these first 1,000 days?

    To sum it up, SLT has focussed on resourcing classrooms of the 17 centres (from 0-5 years old) for years. This is complete with tables, chairs, book corners, books in Shangan, board games, puzzles, and musical instruments. They have started a 'Train the Trainer' program where Frank, a former teacher, visits each ECD centre daily to train the Practitioners, driven by his passion for the program.

    What’s next? SLT is about to start a Parental Caregiver program.

    We can’t do this alone, collaboration is crucial. SLT works with different funds & trusts in these rural communities such as the Department of Education and the Institute of Early Childhood Development, & Africa Foundation, & the Community Works Program under the Bushbuck Ridge municipality.

    SLT worked with ECD specialists who advised on the best resources.

    The stories are truly inspiring, like the blind girl’s graduation at the ECD. It's incredible to witness the transformation.

    Today’s parents are young girls who carry their babies along with their school bag, walking to school. Hence the need for the UNICEF Parental Caregiver program.

    If this conversation interests you and you're visiting Singita’s lodges in South Africa, we’d love to host you on a community visit where you can see these ECD centres and the impact on young minds. The Singita Lowveld Trust (Singita's conservation partner in SA) · Singita Lowveld Trust Early Childhood Development programme · Singita Early Childhood Development · Donate to the ECD programme. 500 USD shared music equipment per centre and 6,300 USD would resource the classrooms at one of the ECD centres · Africa Foundation · Singita website
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    31 mins
  • Saving a Species: Pangolin - Teaming Up with Pangolin Africa

    Saving a Species: Pangolin - Teaming Up with Pangolin Africa
    Jul 22 2024
    A pangolin is poached from the wild every five minutes. It's reached a tipping point and if we don’t act now, they could disappear in our lifetime. So little is known about this enchanting, solitary mammal covered in scales, yet they’ve quickly become the world’s most trafficked mammal.

    The IUCN lists the four Asian species as critically endangered, while the four African species, endangered. All face extinction because of the illegal trade – poached for their scales for Asian medicine; or bush meat in Africa; or a delicacy in Asia. Electrocution (fences) and habitat loss also contribute to the decline.

    Not many people have seen a pangolin in the wild (let alone spent 365 days with one, like our guest has).

    Singita Sabi Sand Field Guide, Lucy Stofberg, chats to Donald Davis (Programme Coordinator at Pangolin.Africa) about a species in crisis. What makes pangolins special, why they're facing extinction, and how we can help? Donald's work is crucial. From rehabilitating pangolins in their natural habitat, to a swift return to the wild. He also deals with pangolins rescued from poachers. The NGO is working to create a pangolin-safe fence, and runs a telephone alert system (Pangolert).

    Singita, and other ecotourism operators, have teamed up with Pangolin.Africa to make the 15-minute Pangolin Guardian course available to any staff. Whether you’re a blogger, lodge owner, ranger, teacher, or CEO there are many ways you can get involved. Educating young children is key to saving pangolins.

    When you donate you help rescue and rehab efforts, ensuring that pangolins are treated, and released. That’s what “teaming up to save a species’’ means.
    https://www.pangolin.africa/donate

    Lucy and Donald share stories of their memorable sightings from South Africa to the Congo Basin. Tune in to this fascinating discussion about pangolin conservation. About Pangolin.Africa and its work · Become a Pangolin Guardian (15-minute course suitable for all ages) · Singita Sabi Sand · Watch Eye of the Pangolin Film. This groundbreaking documentary follows two men on a mission to capture the four species of African pangolins on camera. Fall in love with Pangolin. · Help track sightings of pangolins in the wild or report crime. Pangolert Hotline +27(0)72 726 4654 · See the new Singita Ebony · Wildlife reports from Singita Sabi Sand · Singita website
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    30 mins
  • Women Running Wild for Women - The Grumeti Fund's Women's Empowerment Project Changing Lives in Tanzania

    Women Running Wild for Women - The Grumeti Fund's Women's Empowerment Project Changing Lives in Tanzania
    Jun 11 2024
    Get ready to be inspired! In this episode, we're joined by two amazing women from the Grumeti Fund (GF), Singita's conservation partner in Tanzania, Skyler Nuelle (Head - Partnerships & Impact Analysis) and Frida Mollel (Head of Community Outreach Programme).

    Frida shares her inspirational story of overcoming cultural barriers to get an education in her Maasai community. Now she's paying it forward, leading programs to transform girls' lives through education in communities surrounding Singita Grumeti, in the western Serengeti.

    We're diving into the tough challenges girls here face - from poverty and gender biases favouring boys', to early pregnancy and a lack of mentors. Frida chats about the Grumeti Fund's scholarship program (a game-changer) keeping many more girls in classrooms. They lead empowerment sessions for girls and boys – programs that are completely transforming gender equality in the next generation. The Grumeti Fund also invests in teacher training to improve education.

    You'll hear about the epic annual Serengeti Girls Run, where women run through the wilderness to show solidarity and raise funds for women's empowerment.

    Join us for an inspiring look at creating change. From Frida's calm grace, to the innovative programs creating opportunities for countless girls in rural Tanzania. This is the power of ecotourism. Follow the Grumeti Fund on Instagram · Read about the GF's community projects in Tanzania supported by Singita · About the Serengeti Girls Run · To support women's empowerment projects, guests can donate here · Singita website
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    33 mins
  • The Pride of Tanzania - Singita Lodge Leaders Shattering Glass Ceilings for Women in Ecotourism

    The Pride of Tanzania - Singita Lodge Leaders Shattering Glass Ceilings for Women in Ecotourism
    May 20 2024
    We meet two dynamic women in senior management at Singita Grumeti, Tanzania. Bronwyn Laing (GM at Singita Serengeti) chats to Joyce Moikangoe (Lodge Manager at Singita Sasakwa Lodge) about female leadership and how they lift others as they climb.

    Joyce was born in Tanzania, studied in South Africa, then returned home to give back and be a part of something bigger. She joined Singita ten years ago and became the first Tanzanian female lodge manager. Bronwyn started in pharmaceuticals but fell in love with East Africa on a trip. She also studied rhino conservation and a three-month contract turned into six years and a home-from-home.

    Tanzania is led by a female president, and the younger girls at Singita believe they can run the world! The narrative here is changing with female leaders everywhere. Here, Singita now employs 220 women in hospitality, 50/50 split of men and women in management. With the right attitude and hard work, staff can progress, and they take great joy in all promotions.

    Hear inspiring stories. Like Joyce helping a banakeli (waitress) get a passport so she can start traveling the world. Hear Gekuli's story - from a scholarship recipient to a senior manager, or Dorine - the first Tanzanian yoga instructor. Both managers demonstrate a graceful, humble leadership style true to the Singita family values. They feel a responsibility to set an example, showing women new possibilities. They touch on the importance of work-life balance, and the sense of family and purpose that is at the heart of Singita’s culture. Given the demands of a 24/7 role, self-care practices like yoga, and CrossFit classes with the anti-poaching team help them recharge.

    They feel it's a privilege to work in such a setting and don't forget it for a second. From a wasteland 20 years ago, to one of the greatest conservation success stories, thanks to the work of the Grumeti Fund. They are based at Singita Sasakwa Lodge · Grumeti Fund · Conservation at Singita Serengeti · Grumeti region · Lamai region · Dorine Khambi's journey · Singita Sasakwa Lodge · Singita website
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    37 mins
  • Guided by Nature - How Singita Unearths Local Talent and Turns them into Guiding Experts

    Guided by Nature - How Singita Unearths Local Talent and Turns them into Guiding Experts
    May 1 2024
    Ever wonder how Singita transforms Tanzanian nature lovers into the polished, knowledgeable guides leading their exceptional game drives?

    Ross Couper (Singita's resident photographer and former guide), sits down with Grant Telfer, the (Head of Singita's Guide Training in Tanzania), to get the recipe. From a Singita field guide in South Africa, Grant’s compass pointed him north to become a lodge manager in Grumeti in 2013. A 6-month stint helping out with guide training led to a 10-year career managing guide training.

    When Singita puts out a call for new recruits, they're flooded with hundreds of eager applicants. But it takes more than knowledge to make the cut - Singita's looking for natural communicators with a passion for the wilderness. These lucky locals then embark on an 18-month training programme covering tracking, driving, interpretation and communication.

    The result? A team of phenomenal, confident guides who bring the Serengeti to life in a way that enchants Singita's guests - whether it's their first safari or the twentieth. Grant, who's developed over 150 guides in his 10 years, is clearly passionate about providing life-changing opportunities and creating the best guided experiences possible.

    Ross and Grant also share their most memorable sightings in this incredible 350,000-acre reserve (protected by the NGO, Grumeti Fund) from dazzling herds of zebra to mongoose ambushing cheetah.

    Looks like Singita knows how to spot safari superstars, along with lions, leopards, and Mara River crossings!

    Tune in to this fascinating conversation about ranger training. Read more Wildlife Reports from Singita Grumeti · Read more: Bernard Hosea's 20 years as a guide · Singita Grumeti region · Singita Conservation brochure - Tanzania · The Great Migration · Singita website
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    33 mins