Mabalingwe Newsletter December 2023

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RESORT NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2023

WILDFIRE UPGRADES SPECIAL OCCASSIONS NEWS NEXT VISIT NOTICES

In the wake of the flames that tested our resilience and highlighted the unity, strength, and compassionate spirit of our greater Mabalingwe community, we find ourselves sitting at the edge of the deck looking out into our South African bushveld that has stood the tests of time. As we reflect on the challenges we’ve faced and the triumphs we’ve celebrated, we would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you, our valued Shareholders, for your unfaltering support during the course of the year. It feels as though we’ve hardly had a

moment to pause in 2023, and yet here we are, nearing the end of the year that was, welcoming change with open arms. Finding solace in the knowledge that you, and all of our Mabalingwe guests, have been alongside us throughout our journey has been the thread that weaves resilience into our spirits.. And with that, we extend a warm invitation for you to journey with us as we delve into all the latest Resort happenings since our last edition of “The Oasis Update”.

AT MABALINGWE NATURE RESERVE

As many of you may know, a devastating wildfire hit Mabalingwe Nature Reserve around 14:00 on Saturday, 23 September 2023. The wildfire brought widespread destruction to the Resort and its Reserve, leaving a trail of damage and heartache. This deeply saddening incident resulted in the destruction of 56 homes and consumed approximately 6600 hectares as it blazed through the area.

In the face of our loss, the incredible support we’ve received from those near and far has truly moved the entire Mabalingwe Team. Donations poured in from all corners, and trucks filled with animal feed made their way to the Resort. From grass and lucerne, to hundreds of cabbages and wildlife game pellets, our hope and faith was restored bit by bit, with each incredible donation that came through our gate.

Now, we're in the process of rebuilding what was lost, and like a phoenix, we'll emerge stronger and overflowing with excitement and hope for the future.

Click here to read more about the wildfires in our blog.

The Mabalingwe Team places a high value on maintaining your home-away-from-home in the best possible condition. Throughout the year, we’ve tried to address any areas that need a little extra care as well as brainstorm ways to enhance your Mabalingwe experience. Here’s what we have been busy with:

Resort Renovations and Upgrades

Speed Bumps

A speed bump was introduced near the entrance.

Fuel Station

The fuel station has been spruced up with colour.

Kalahari Oasis

The bush pub underwent a vibrant and verdant makeover.

Le Fera Restaurant

The pizza oven has been upgraded along with the fireplace and Restaurant furniture.

Recreational Area

The colour scheme of the Recreational Area has been changed and some parts, such as the giant chessboard, have been painted.

Road Maintenance

New tar roads leading to Kudu, Phiri, Kwalata camps have been built, as well as paving from Ingwe camp leading to the Reception.

Buffalo Waterhole

The waterhole has been cleaned and the bushes have been cleared.

Solar Panels and Inverter

Solar panels and an inverter system have been installed at the Reception Office.

New Reception Staff
Uniforms

The Reception staff have been issued with brand new uniforms.

Chalet/Unit Renovations and Upgrades

Refrigeration Replacement

Replacement of refrigerators in all units has been completed (project timeline: Sept 2021 - Sept 2023).

Corner Lounge Suites

6-sleeper unit lounge suites have been converted to corner suites.

Carport Signage

All units and carports signage have been replaced.

Pest Control

Regular pest control is taking place.

General Ongoing Unit Maintenance

Ongoing unit maintenance are done to ensure units are in tip top shape at all times.

UPCOMING RENOVATIONS AND FUTURE PLANS

Phiri 95

Due to the devastation, several homes and buildings were lost, including Phiri 95 and many other buildings in the bush camps. We are working on rebuilding and restoring Phiri 95 to what it once was. The renovation is scheduled to start end 2023/early 2024.

Solar Lighting

We are currently investigating alternative power supply options for the carports, parking bays and recreational areas.

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Our Team is always finding ways to celebrate and surprise our guests for different occasions to make their visits a little more special. In the past six months we’ve laughed, cried, loved and created special moments with our valued Shareholders and guests. Here are the latest moments that we‘ve shared with you:

Father’s Day

Father’s Day was a wild ride as we went all out with a Wild West Yellow-Stone theme and a real horse saddle setup at the Reception. Our Reception Team, all dressed in their yellow-stone outfits, was ready to welcome our awesome fathers to the Resort. Our guests received a Mabalingwe-branded leather keyholder and, to make things even more exciting, they were also treated to some delicious cocktail sausages with sherry as a treat.

Woman’s Day

We rolled out the red carpet for Women's Day, and made sure our beautiful guests received all-star treatment only! Raising the bar, we welcomed them with scrumptious canapés and delightful sweet treats at check-in. To add to the occasion, each unit received a special vanilla flavoured lip balm packaged inside a beautiful "Happy Women's Day" box.

Heritage Day

In true South Africa fashion, we decorated the Reception area with a showcase that truly embodied our South African pride, ready to welcome the young and young at heart. We gathered together, reminiscing on cherished memories and stories of days gone by. And what's Heritage Day without food? We relished in a spread of our all-time favourite snacks, sweet treats, and Braai Broekies to celebrate this special occasion. And with the 2023 Rugby World Cup underway, each unit received a complimentary bag of wood, upon arrival, and an ice cold beer (on tap), to head into the weekend and support the Bokke with some sizzling braais and a lekker 'dop'.

2023 Rugby World Cup

We got ready to dive into one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, The 2023 Rugby World Cup. Our Team transformed the Vultures View Bar into a Springbok paradise, complete with vibrant green chairs, fluttering flags, and a big screen to catch every heart-pounding match in real time. Even with the pesky load shedding, we remained one step ahead and tapped into our back up power supply, ensuring that our guests got to enjoy the uninterrupted rugby excitement.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

We must admit that our hearts have a soft spot reserved for romance, as we eagerly seize every chance to create an atmosphere filled with love. This year was no exception, as we were privileged to host romantic picnics, heartfelt proposals, timeless weddings, dreamy honeymoons, and countless other precious moments of affection.

Are you celebrating a special occasion any time soon? The Le Fera Team is ready to bring your vision to life. Get in touch with them and start planning your celebration:
014 001 7011 | contactus@mabalingwe.com

Christmas and New Year Celebrations coming up!

In such a special time of the year, Le Fera Mabalingwe would like the opportunity to wish all our guests a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year full of success, where all your dreams come true. We look forward to ending this year off with you, spoiling you and your loved ones with tasty meals and well deserved spa treatments and adventurous activities.

Don't miss out on our
Christmas 2023 Lunch Buffet,
25 December 2023 @ 11:00 - 15:00
Download the menu here
Booking Essential - 072 076 6232

DECEMBER SPECIALS
Don't miss the famous Kalahari Oasis Drinks specials during December or the Le Fera Bos Booze Cruise. Le Fera Restaurant are also dishing up some of the best with their daily Restaurant specials, make sure to stop by to check them out.

A HOLLY JOLLY MESSAGE
from the Team

We would like to send you and your loved ones heartfelt wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. From all of us here at Mabalingwe, we would like to thank you for your continued support. We are truly grateful to our Shareholders and guests for making this year truly special, even during the hard times we’ve had to endure. May your Christmas be as blessed as you have made us feel here at the Resort.

TO THE MABALINGWE TEAM

Le Fera Restaurant,
Vulture's View Bar
and Kalahari Oasis
Bush Pub

Weekly Specials, Special Occasions, Sunday Brunch and much more.

Mabalingwe Guided
Game Drives

Mabalingwe Resort offers a unique opportunity to experience the stunning wildlife and natural beauty of Africa through various game drives. These drives take place at different times of the day, each offering its own unique perspective and experience.

Mbali Day Spa
- Mabalingwe

Monthly Specials, Signature Massages, Little Princess Packages and much more.

Visit the Le Fera website to pre-book all of your favourite activities, order your favourite eats, and shop some essentials for your Mabalingwe stay.
Go to the Le Fera website

iEXCHANGE

We are thrilled to share the news that Mabalingwe Nature Reserve has earned the GAME CHANGER award in the prestigious iExchange Hospitality Awards 2022 /2023.
The Game Changer is awarded to resorts that is a cut above the rest - from facilities to staff, resulting in positive guest reviews and glowing testimonials.

GUEST FEEDBACK

“Such a beautiful place to have a bush break. Game came up to the patio and we were blessed beyond measure. What a privilege.”

- Che Hollard

“They were amazing. My son got engaged there and they did everything possible to make it special. The camping site, facilities and staff are great.”

- Reinette le Roux

“As always, a great outing. Blessed with perfect weather, excellent game-viewing (including leopard & jackal which we never saw before) and a lot of fun with good friends. Restaurant prices were very competitive. We will be back.”

- Hannes H

“We try to come to Mabalingwe once a year as it is close to Pretoria and we have never been disappointed. The experience with the birdlife and animals is heart-warming and the staff is professional and friendly.”

- Louren Slynne

“You have to experience this place at least once in your life. Simply marvellous. Noteworthy details: The staff is super invested in your happiness. ”

– Andrew Friend

“Pack your bags, turn off those laptops, leave all your mountains behind and put on your best smile. This place has a unique calmness and has the potential to take away a mountain of stress off your shoulders. It leaves you wanting more!”

- Brendah Murulane

We thrive on the incredible stories and valuable input from both our valued Shareholders and our wonderful guests. Your feedback motivates us and serves as a fantastic compass to ensure we remain at the top of our game!

A Stress-Free Wedding Planning Timeline: 6 Months to “I Do”

Congratulations on your engagement! We understand that the initial excitement of being engaged can quickly turn into a state of confusion and uncertainty about what to do next, but planning a wedding doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With proper planning and a well-structured timeline, you can ensure that your special day unfolds seamlessly.…

TENDER WEEKS AVAILABLE!
Contact the VRS Property Admin team for more information.
propertyadmin@vrs.co.za

Deposit & Exchange your holiday on Holiday Options.
Giving you access to a multitude of availability! Holiday Options offers Mabalingwe Nature Reserve Shareholders access to the Holiday Options platform to exchange their timeshare for another holiday, place it up for rental, and have access to exclusive cash deals!
www.holidayoptions.co.za

Be part of the change. Join African Blessings on their journey to empower and uplift children in need.
Read more about African Blessings and all their projects.
www.africanblessings.org

Expand your Holiday Horizons.
Buy or Sell Holidays on Univate Properties. Visit the Uni-Vate Properties website to browse a wide range of holiday weeks available at a variety of destinations.
www.univateproperties.co.za

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Important Notices

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