THE INTERVIEW
VUSI – TANDA TULA
Im not going to oversell it...
OK, Vusi, thank you for taking the time to sit with us today. Firstly, thank you to you and your team for your impeccable hospitality. If we could for our readers could you from the top, introduce yourself starting with your full name and your role here at Tanda Tula.
Vusi – My full name? (insert a huge grin here!) Vasumuzi Dlamini.; but I go by Vusi. It rhymes with Lucy and rhymes with juicy. I am the Lodge Anchor at Tanda Tula safari camp. I also manage the beverage department, which means all of the ordering, inputting, receiving and making sure everybody has a great time and a beautiful beverage on a daily basis.
Thanks Vusi, we are sure being a lodge anchor at a place like this is a huge responsibility and comes with lots of pressure. Working in these environments, one must surely develop great relationships. I asked you this earlier, but, have you got a nickname?
Vusi – I don’t have a nickname. (deep chuckle) I kind of do, but I don’t have a nickname. So we were in the islands for four months with the directors, Don and Nina, and one of the locals couldn’t pronounce my name. instead of Vusi they would call me Vussaaa. So that became the nickname. So Vussaaa.
A voice made for the radio, and a heart that beats for the bush, Vusi offers us insight into who he is, and why Tanda Tula.
It kind of sounds like wooosaaa. The word used to calm everyone down. You have that vibe about you.
Vusi – (Laughing) I try and give people that vibe…
I’m sure you’re faced with a lot of challenges on a daily basis, but as Lodge Anchor what is your favorite part of
your job?
Vusi – As a Lodge Anchor, I would say guest interaction. That is what I wake up for on a daily basis. As you say, it’s difficult sometimes, but that is part of the challenge. I mean, if it was the same thing on a day-to-day basis, then it would be boring. The challenges come with the type of fun that we have while on the floor, on the ground with our guests.
We’ve always said it takes a specific type of person to be able to do well in this industry. You either have it or you don’t. It’s clear that you are one of the few people who have it. Take us through your journey.
Vusi – Ah, right. How I ended up at Tanda Tula? It’s a very interesting story because, you know, accounting is like one of the biggest courses you could ever do when leaving school. Everybody just knows once you’re done with that, you have to go make the big bucks and so on and so forth. It kind of felt a little bit too easy for me while I was at University. I took a break from all of that, and that’s when it sort of happened. Don and Nina were at a family dinner and they mentioned that they actually run, and operate a lodge called Tanda Tula. I was like, that sounds good and interesting. They said, if you’re keen on having a look at what it looks like and maybe consider a possible career in the industry, come on through, and visit us.
So yeah, I had a trial for one week to get a feel for the vibe at Tanda Tula. That one week turned into five years! I’ve been with Tanda Tula since 2018, and I’ve been happy ever since. We are growing with Tanda Tula, it’s a great brand. I also did radio once a week which was part of the extracurricular activities at university. Someone told me I had a voice for radio, and this got me into it.
This is a great story Vusi, it really is. And we couldn’t agree more that you have a voice for radio. Jess and I have always said there are specific character traits that are within certain individuals that enable them to excel in the hospitality industry. Traits that can not be taught. Now, why Tanda Tula? Why should our guests choose Tanda Tula?
Vusi – Magic, if you want it in one word Magic. You just have to be here to experience it. That’s, that’s all I can say. I’m not going to oversell it. I’m not a salesperson by any means. You just have to be here. It’s absolute magic.
That’s incredibly special, we have been here now for a day or two and we can both attest to that. It is magical here. You and your team members work on a rotational basis, time off is critical, and when you get that time off, whether it’s an evening at the fire or time at home. What is your drink of choice?
Vusi – Ahh, my drink of choice, has to be Brandy and Coke. (Laughs)Vusi – I know, I know, brandy and coke, it’s a bush drink. You cannot have anything else. You cannot come to South Africa and not have a brandy and coke. I get you have to have an Amarula, but a brandy and coke is my go-to drink whenever I’m off.
That’s brilliant, Karate Water… Time off is quite important in this industry. When you do have time off, besides enjoying a brandy and coke, how do you decompress? What do you do when you have your free time?
Vusi – So I’m on a six weeks on, and two weeks offspend each week in a different place. My first trip would be at home to a small little village called Croquet Lawn, and the other week I’d be in Jo’burg, where the bike trails are. I’m an avid mountain biker, so whenever I get the chance, I actually do it quite a lot. Again, you know, living the lodge life, you’ve got to work off all the pounds you’ve gained in those six weeks.
You mentioned you love music, and different genres of music, now the tough question; what is your favourite sound to hear in the bush?
Vusi – Ooh, lions, definitely lions. In the morning, we have a beautiful dry riverbed right in front of us. And once in a while, you hear a lion somewhere close by and it travels through the riverbed. It’s just the most magnificent, magical sound you could ever hear. You just have to experience it. The TV doesn’t do it justice. A lion roaring is something you need to feel and experience, it is a sound like no other.
Why Africa?
Vusi – We are vibrant, colorful and hospitable people, and we are proud of our home.
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Author: Reeds Bespoke
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