Meet Kenny, our longest-standing team member and the heart of Royal Madikwe for over 21 years

As Head of Housekeeping, Kenny leads with care, pride, and a deep love for creating a home-away-from-home for our guests. Known for her infectious smile, vibrant energy, and the beautiful singing voice that welcomes guests to the lodge, Kenny’s presence is a true reflection of the spirit of Royal Madikwe.

We sat down with her to learn more about her incredible journey, what inspires her, and what makes this place so special to her.

1. You’ve been with Royal Madikwe longer than anyone—can you tell us about your journey and how it all began?

My journey with Royal Madikwe started 21 years ago, on the 4th of May 2004. At the time, I was working at the lodge that later became Royal Madikwe. That’s when I met Dr Patel for the first time. From the moment we spoke, I felt his warmth and kindness. He made me feel so welcome, and I just knew this was a place I’d be happy. From that day, I’ve stayed—and it’s been a special journey ever since.

2. What has kept you passionate and committed to the lodge for so many years?

Losing both my parents within just two months, when I was 28 years old, was a very painful time in my life. But that loss reminded me to never forget where I come from—my family, my roots. That’s what keeps me going and inspires me to work hard every day. I also find strength in the people I work with. The team is like a second family. We support and motivate each other, and we’re proud to be part of the Royal Madikwe family. So we continue to give it our all, every day.

3. What does a typical day look like for you in your role as Head of Housekeeping?

My day as Head of Housekeeping starts early in the morning, while our guests are out on their game drive. We collect their laundry and get to work refreshing their rooms—tidying up, cleaning, and making sure everything feels just right. Then we move over to the clubhouse to make sure it's neat and ready for guests to enjoy their breakfast.
In the afternoon, we do a minibar top-up and prepare for our memorable turndown service. We make the beds with our special touch—rose petals and a little handwritten note to make our guests feel truly welcome and cared for.

4. Housekeeping is often the behind-the-scenes heartbeat of a lodge. What do you think guests appreciate most about your team’s work?

We always approach our work with enthusiasm and happy energy. Our team wants to create a warm, welcoming space that feels like a home away from home for every guest. I think what they appreciate most are the little touches—the small details that show we care and hopefully bring a smile to their faces. And of course, many guests are always impressed by how white we get their socks and clothes—we take pride in that too!

5. How do you motivate and guide your team to maintain such high standards every day?

A big part of what guides us comes from the way we were raised— our parents taught us to treat people with love and respect. I often remind my team that this is more than just work. We’re part of something bigger, and the way we care for our guests is a reflection of who we are and where we come from.

We always hold onto our roots. Teamwork and togetherness are at the heart of everything we do. We’re more than just colleagues—we’re a family. We uplift each other, support one another, and work side by side through every task.

6. What do you love most about being part of the Royal Madikwe family?

I feel like I truly belong here, like I’m part of something. After 21 years, that sense of belonging means so much.

A lot can happen in your life over that time. I’ve been through some very difficult moments, but I’ve always felt supported, encouraged, and cared for. The love and strength of my Royal Madikwe family has helped me through it all—and that’s something I will always treasure.

7. If you could share one special piece of Royal Madikwe with the world, what would it be?

If I could share one special piece of Royal Madikwe with the world, it would be the deep sense of togetherness you feel here. The land, the people—everything has a way of bringing you back to yourself, while also reminding you that you’re part of something much bigger.

Here, we celebrate life. You learn to slow down, to notice and appreciate the little things. That’s the real magic of this place.

8. We’ve heard guests talk about the beautiful singing that welcomes them to the lodge. Can you tell us more about the singing team and what that tradition means to you?

Our Tswana culture is full of joy—we sing, we dance, we laugh. The singing that welcomes guests to Royal Madikwe is not a performance, it’s a part of who we are. It comes from the heart.

We want our visitors to arrive with happy hearts, to feel our warmth from the very first moment and know they are in good hands. It’s our way of saying, you are welcome here—you are family now.