MEET SBONILE: MAINTENANCE & LAND CARE TECHNICIAN AT THE WILD TOMORROW CONSERVATION CENTRE
A supermarket, a golf course, a hotel, a pizzeria, even a nightclub — before it became part of the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, one property had a colorful history. Sbonile Gina saw it all. Since he has lived on the property for 17 years, Sbonile was a natural fit for the maintenance and land care technician role at the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Centre. And Sbonile is a man of great creative talent! Read on for some of Sbonile’s stories.
Sbonile Gina with his beautiful wood carving for Wild Tomorrow.
When Wild Tomorrow purchased a rundown lodge two years ago, now the Wild Tomorrow Conservation Center, Sbonile wanted to prove that he was “more than just a tractor driver.” A self-taught craftsman, Sbonile recently presented his new colleagues with a magnificent gift. He had lovingly carved and painted a wooden shield bearing the Wild Tomorrow logo that now stands proudly in the Conservation Centre office.
Sbonile, who is certainly more than just a tractor driver!
Wood carving has long been a passion for Sbonile. Born in a small village about one hour’s drive north of our reserve, he moved to the Mduku community next door as a small child and has called our area home ever since. Wood carving first helped Sbonile survive between jobs. In his community, carving originally served as a way to document the birth of children, creating what were essentially carved birth certificates. He then specialized in wooden bowls and animal sculptures. Sbonile has now mastered bird carvings and is perfecting other creatures.
Sbonile’s beautiful Wild Tomorrow wood carving.
Since Wild Tomorrow acquired the property, Sbonile has had more time to indulge his passion for woodworking. Wild Tomorrow has improved his work-life balance, he said, and he is thankful for the supportive environment. The buildings on the property are now better maintained, said Sbonile, especially the structures that previous owners had abandoned.
Sbonile began working on the property in 2007. The property owners were renovating what was then a supermarket, determined to turn it into a travel destination. They were in need of skilled painters, and Sbonile answered the call. Back then, it was “Amorello Lodge,” a small hotel with a restaurant and golf course. It was home to zebras and wildebeests until the owners realized that these large herbivores were not ideal guests on the putting green. Once, a more carnivorous and elusive resident made an appearance at the hotel. From the safety of their chalets, guests were enchanted (and just a little frightened) by a leopard sauntering through the trees. More terrifying, Sbonile recounted, was the night lightning struck one of the chalets. Its thatched roof ignited, and the whole building burned to the ground. Thankfully, its guests escaped unscathed.
Nowadays, life at the old Amorello Lodge is far less dramatic. Sbonile confessed that he is relieved that no more rowdy hotel guests disturb his peace, but he is excited to see the local children coming to visit the Conservation Centre, and is excited to hear we will welcome more community children once the renovations are finished. For guests staying at our Conservation Center, Sbonile is often the first person to greet the morning, while out patrolling the fence line by quadbike, smiling a warm hello.
Thank you for your dedication and creativity, Sbonile!