A blurb from Thembisa Cakuma, housekeeper at Chrislin African Lodge, Addo.

Inspired partly by Humans of New York, our diverse population in the Greater Addo area and South Africa’s present climate, I decided to informally interview the Chrislin staff on their own stories. Everyone has a unique story and it occasionally takes only a little scratching on the surface to realise everyone’s individual, fascinating journey. 

Thembisa Cakuma, 28

Thembisa was born on a local Addo farm where her parents were working. Elim Primary School (originally started by Mrs Grace de Kock and recently donated by her son, Dr Peter Bunton, to start a private school, Hermitage House) was where her education begun. “We were taken to Happy Valley every Christmas,” recalls Thembisa, “I saw so many new things!” She remembers a trip to the Port Elizabeth Museum where she was scared of all these ‘things’ she hadn’t seen before.

She finished school at Samkelwe Senior Secondary School in Nomathansanqua. During this time her father died in a car accident so her mother became the main bread winner. Thembisa’s mother made sure she had everything she needed and worked hard at keeping her at school. This was very special to Thembisa.

When Thembisa got married, her husband's family gave her the name of 'Zuzu' (short for Zusakhe) which means 'Build up' (meaning she was to build them, as a family, up). She is affectionately known to all by this name.

What keeps her going? Family. She likes to see her children “going on the right way, not to struggle like her, to enjoy the future.” Her wishes for her family is no suffering, love and happiness. She wants to see them happy.

Looking back to her childhood and growing up, it was hard for her mother, and difficult with no father. Christmas presents were a luxury, and rarely received or given. Food was important and her family had to help contribute “to the pot”. Thembisa’s June/July Winter holidays were spent finding work to support the family. She had to eventually quit school in Grade 11 to help mom.

Her first job was at Elephant House, in Addo, under the tutelage of Smokey. She was chef assistant. This led to her taking on the role of baker at Lenmore Restaurant. Thembisa now works at Chrislin African Lodge, also in Addo, as a housekeeper and occasionally helps the chef  in high season. She loves baking, singing, joking and dancing. Which is obvious when you meet her!

Looking now to the future and her wishes for this country, she doesn’t want children to suffer. Thembisa helps children in the location as much as possible. She helps get them to school and rallies those around her house to play and laugh with.

Her role model is Nelson Mandela.

'Zuzu' with her beautiful African Braiding

Thembisa, Maria, Sandra and Marie

Thembisa Cakuma 

Thembisa (fourth from right)