Our People & Commitment

Community First

Pungwe Safari Camp believes and promotes an interdependent relationship with the surrounding communities of the Manyeleti. 

​

Over the past 25 years we have nurtured a close working relationship with various villages within the communities of Thorndale, Hlalakahle, Hlavukisa, Gottenburg, Welverdiend and Hluvhukani.

Our support for community initiatives include:-

• Employing 90% of staff from our local communities surrounding the Manyeleti.
• Building the Pfukani Creche in neighbouring Thorndale village. We provide ongoing support to Mary Baloyi (Creche head) with her skills development.
• Pungwe provides the main meal each day for the more than 60 children who attend the creche.
• Installation of a water tank at the creche to provide running water for the creche and its pupils.
• Every year at the annual graduation Pungwe supports the event by sponsoring food and gifts for the children.

• The Pungwe ladies have a beaded doily initiative which produces beaded crafts that our guests can purchase. All revenue from these purchases go directly the ladies.
• "Recycle and Repurpose" is a mantra Pungwe believes in - we support a group of ladies who make place mats made out of local sedges and plastic waste. These mats are used at Pungwe and are also sold to our guests. All revenue goes to the ladies manufacturing the place mats.
• Pungwe sponsors annual Heritage Day celebrations locally. This initiative is aimed at creating cultural and natural heritage awareness amongst the youth in surrounding communities, with a major focus on the challenges of rhino poaching. Pungwe, in conjunction with the SAPS sponsors and co-ordinates this annual event on 24th September.
• Pungwe has supported the Wild Shots Outreach photographic outreach project. Wild Shots focuses on providing photographic workshops for local youth which include visits to the Manyeleti. Pungwe regularly hosts these youth groups on a safari where they can obtain practical wildlife photographic experience.