Lindsay is back in Lowveld following her passion

Lindsay Hanekom’s foray into the world of hospitality started as a young woman when she attended the Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland, a pivotal experience that ignited her love for travel and tourism. Returning to South Africa, she started her career as an assistant lodge manager in the Kruger National Park (KNP) where she not only honed her managerial skills but also met her husband. In the subsequent years, the couple traversed through Southern Africa, working in locations like the Caprivi and the Okavango Delta.

After the loss of her husband just before the onset of the global pandemic, her commitment to social development deepened and now she is back in her beloved Lowveld, spearheading social and environmental development initiatives at Thornybush Community. Lindsay says her philosophy centers on the concept of Ubuntu, ‘I am because we are’. She also believes in the importance of holistic thinking, understanding that the well-being of the entire community, from humans to ants, are interconnected.

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“The Thornybush Community NPO was conceived in 2005 to empower and uplift the neighbouring communities like Uthla, Dixie, and Acornhoek,” she says. “From its roots, Thornybush Community recognised that symbiotic collaboration with residents is crucial for holistic conservation and community sustainability. “These ventures extend into diverse sectors, showcasing a multi-pronged approach to safeguarding the environment.” She says the newly established Magoveni BeeHive project not only supports the local economy but also nurtures biodiversity.

“The bee farm, headed up by Dixon Johnson Mkarhi and his son Clifford, focusses on the production of organic honey which will be supplied to the Thornybush lodges, local households, and other small and big-scale traders. The bees play an indispensable role as pollinators, facilitating plant growth, fostering diverse habitats, and providing sustenance to various species, including humans,” she says. Another project, Thousand Herbs and Vegetable Garden, has been operational since 2014 on a portion of the land leased from the Manyangana High School in Uthla. “It is a cooperative supporting five women growing quality herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers.

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Their produce is sold to surrounding game lodges, local retailers, and members of the community. The support from the lodges for this all-female business is a vital link in creating economic development and sustainable livelihoods!” She says, so far this year, the women have delivered 1210 packets of 100g rocket, 218 punnets of edible flowers, 271kg of lemons, and 125kg of spring onions. “Their story underscores the capacity for sustainable development and enduring transformation,” Lindsay says.

Thornybush also provides funding for bursaries aimed at internships in collaboration with the South African College of Tourism. “This initiative involves enrolling recent matric graduates into a comprehensive programme designed to prepare them for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

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A selection of successful graduates is then chosen to participate in in-house training within our lodges, while others find employment opportunities within nearby hospitality and tourism establishments,” Lindsay says. “As the Thornybush Community continues to expand, so does the capacity of our organisation, enabling us to offer internship prospects to local talents and graduates who can address the skills shortage prevalent in the sector,” she concludes.