We invite you to experience Siswati heritage, where each thread is woven into a tapestry of deeper impact. The Mdluli story is a testament to the resilience and spirit of its people.
Siswati roots and soul, the heartbeat of the Mdluli Community:
The Swazi people are originally from Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. In the 18th century, they migrated to Mpumalanga and settled in various areas of land between the Drakensberg and the surrounding Kruger areas.
Mpumalanga became home to many Swazi clans, one of them being the Mdluli clan. Their Swazi influence spread across these areas, with shared cultural practices and traditions that continue to this day. Today, different regions are governed by different royal families and traditional authorities.
The Mdluli Community falls within the jurisdiction of the Mdluli Traditional Council in Mpumalanga, which consists of one chosen Indvuna (senior official) from each village who follows the leader of the Royal Mdluli Family and Traditional Council, Inkhosi (Chief) MI Mdluli. The Mdluli Community has approximately 45,000 people living across four villages alongside the southern boundaries of the Park: Makoko, Salubindza, Bhekiswayo, and Nyongane
Siswati hospitality
Siswati people are renowned for their hospitality. This can be felt through the warmth, friendliness and infectious smiles of our team – 90% of whom are from the Mdluli Community. It’s customary to offer guests a drink as a sign of respect and goodwill. As you arrive for check-in, you will be welcomed by our team with a delicious homemade rooibos drink. As our team likes to say, “Our home is your home.”
A deep connection to nature:
If you glance your eye over from reception to the centre of the lodge’s main areas, you’ll see the iconic Marula Tree. The Marula Tree is believed to have a spiritual connection with their ancestors and is strongly protected within Siswati culture. It is often used to make Amarula and Marula beer, consumed during cultural and social gatherings like the Ummemo (translation). The statue of Inkhosi (Chief) MI Mdluli’s late father, Inkhosi (Chief) MZ Mdluli, stands proudly in the shade of the Marula tree. The statue serves as a reminder of the bold vision the late Chief had to return this land to the Mdluli people, and for them to live a better life.
The regal ingwe (leopard) is regarded as sacred by the Mdluli Royal Family. It is considered a symbol of nobility, honour, and courage. Its representation is woven into various elements of Siswati culture and is present in the lodge itself, from the rosette leopard spot shape to the leopard face, which forms the central focus of the lodge’s logo. If you’re lucky you might spot one on your Big 5 game drive.
Threads of tradition: beads, patterns, and pride portrayed through art:
As you enter our dining area for a delicious buffet dinner, you’ll notice an intricate beadwork installation across the dining area wall. This installation was hand-beaded by 14 women from the Mdluli Community villages. Each design beautifully represents traditional Swazi beadwork motifs. Siswati culture is warm and colourful and reflected in the creation of arts, crafts, and traditional attire of the Siswati people. Beading is an essential craft in the Community and is used to decorate clothing and create handmade jewellery.
Siswati cultural attire is rich in meaning and embraces vibrant colours like red, white, yellow, green, and blue—often with symbolic patterns and beading. Each piece of clothing is symbolic in terms of occasion, age, gender, and social status.
Connection comes alive in every shared moment Whether it’s around a candlelit boma dinner or a bush braai under the Kruger stars, you’ll create memories and stories that will last a lifetime. Siswati culture highly values the concept of togetherness. They often have shared celebrations, care deeply for each other, and frequently come together as a Community. There is also a strong emphasis on respect for leaders, elders, and traditional authorities whose wisdom is honoured and valued.
Cultural practices & ceremonies
The most significant cultural celebration in the Mdluli Community is the Ummemo (coming together). This event, held around August each year, celebrates togetherness, where all members of the four villages gather to honour their Siswati heritage and culture through shared meals, traditional dancing and singing.
Feel good & leave something good behind.
Redefining sustainable tourism and preserving Siswati heritage
Mdluli Safari Lodge is rooted in a powerful story of resilience and vision, which began in 1968 when the Mdluli Community was forcibly removed from their land near Numbi Gate by the then Apartheid government due to their policy to expand the Park’s borders. After a long battle for land restitution in 1998, they were granted freehold title to their land. This area is now known as the Mdluli Reserve and lies within the borders of Kruger National Park.
The lodge was developed with an anchor belief that it has a responsibility to sustainably improve lives and infrastructure for the Mdluli Community which receives direct financial and indirect social and economic benefits from lodge operations. The lodge creates skills development opportunities for employment that uplift members of the Community while upgrading basic infrastructure such as sanitation facilities and schools.
Every guest’s stay contributes to this ongoing mission creating a long-lasting positive impact on lives within Mdluli Community. Mdluli Safari Lodge has been recognised as a blueprint model for successful land reform through its 50-50 community-private sector partnership.
The Siswati people understand that true heritage goes beyond traditions; it’s about a shared spirit, values of Ubuntu and stories that connect us all. We embrace this spirit by celebrating the vibrant essence of Siswati heritage.
(Respect tradition; honour heritage).
Next time you visit us, ask one of our friendly team members about the deep history of their culture.
Siphindze sihlangane futsi
That’s Siswati for “We look forward to seeing you soon”
