Silvan Family Tree
The true heartbeat of Africa
The Silvan Story is marked by the people who make it exceptional. Hailing from all corners of the continent, our experts in all aspects of safari hold their responsibility for creating the Silvan Experience in high esteem. They eat, breathe and live the journey.
All branches of the Silvan Family share a deeply-rooted love for Africa. Shake the hands of those who mould our story. Return the smiles of those who light our way. Africa's greatest artwork is her people, and nowhere is this masterpiece more celebrated than at Silvan.
Accolade Ubisi
General Assistant
Accolade is Kruger born-and-raised and comes from a small village just outside of Sabi Sand. Safari has always been a part of her life with both her parents having worked at lodges in the area for over 20 years. A flair for knowledge saw Accolade pursuing a BA in Communications and Media. After she graduated, Accolade interned with SANParks for a year and worked in the marketing department at The Good Work Foundation, one of Silvan's partners. Accolade is a testament to how the power of pure will can see you overcoming hardship to emerge victorious. Her passion for people has seen her find a true calling as the Silvan Safari team's General Assistant.
Murray Hay
Ranger
Murray calls the bush home because of its tranquillity and unexpected nature. One of his favourite parts of being a ranger is never knowing when he'll turn the corner on a dirt road and come across something truly breathtaking. Murray's favourite animal to see is the leopard which he loves for its beauty, stealth, and elusive nature - making every sighting really special. He once came across a herd of elephants while driving through Sabi Sand and a young brave male decided to charge the vehicle. The little guy misjudged the size of his opponent and all that could be seen of him from Murray's vantage point were the tips of his ears! Needless to say, the elephant quickly scuttled back to his mom and hid behind her legs.
James Siwela
Tracker
One of the great characters of Silvan, his booming laugh and infectious smile will have everyone in stitchers. James comes from a family whose roots are embedded in the Sabi Sand region with various members of his family having worked or currently working in the industry. He has a passion for animals and an ability to find the hidden tales of the bush like no other. Having worked as a tracker for over 10 years, his experience is paramount and an asset to the safari experience.
Phindile Singwane
Butler
Phindile's eye for detail and extensive wine knowledge make her the perfect match for Silvan Safari. Her wine arm is always heavy - literally, and she's been known for pouring a vintage 2010 three litre bottle of Nederberg Cabernet Sauvignon into expectant glasses around the dinner table. Phindile is also a dab hand at cocktails - definitely ask her to make you her signature pina colada!
Sylvester Dukuche
Butler
Sylvester's love of the hospitality industry was inspired by his mixology skills and having his enticing cocktails loved by friends and guests alike. His personal favourites include a Margarita, Negroni, Tequila Sunrise, and Cosmopolitan - all go perfectly well with a Silvan sunset! Be sure to ask Sylvester about some of his most exciting sightings while he's behind the bar - rumour has it he once saw two lions take on a male buffalo (and it didn't end so well for one of the lions).
Xolisa Khatu
Butler
The gym bunny at Silvan has to be Xolisa whose time spent sculpting his physique has made him quite the looker around camp. Fondly known as 'X', Xolisa was born in the coastal port city of Port Elizabeth and he has been in the safari industry for over a decade. His favourite pastimes include spending time with family, watching movies, and making new friends, but, above all, he's thrilled to be spending time in the bush again and joins the Silvan team as a Butler.
Lori-Ann Kietzmann
Group Executive Chef
Lori-Ann is the mastermind behind Silvan's Food Experience, creating a gastronomic extravaganza which awakens the palate and tickles the taste buds. Lori attributes her culinary flair to her mom and grandmother who were both fabulous cooks. Coming from a large family, the dining room table was one of the only places where everyone came together and this is what food does for Lori: it brings people together again and again. Some of her favourite pastimes include stargazing, toasting marshmallows, listening to hyena cackling at night and drinking Silvan Brew around the fire pit. When not wowing guests with her phenomenal menu, Lori enjoys spotting giraffe and honey badger on safari.
Khomotso Diale
Commis Chef
Known as KG around camp, Khomotso is famous for more than just his cooking. His famous wiggle has led to KG being the favourite welcoming member among guests, so be prepared to be greeted with a song and dance! KG's favourite animal in Kruger is the furtive wild dog and his biggest dream in life is to make his mamma proud.
Connie Mnisi
Housekeeper
Constance, known affectionately as Connie, took her name to heart and has been a constant presence on the luxury safari hospitality scene for over two decades! She spent a whopping 19 years learning all she could at some of the top lodges in the region before finally joining us at Silvan. Connie has two sons and a daughter who, incidentally, is also part of the Silvan family making our Housekeeping division a true family affair.
Tiyani Mtetwa
Housekeeper
One of the youngest members of our Housekeeping team is Tiyani who finished high school at the end of 2015. Although she doesn't have any experience and Silvan Safari is her first job, Tiyani grew up in the surrounding area and we couldn't be more thrilled to have her form part of our growing family. Fun fact: Tiyani shares her name with Silvan's resident leopard.
Happiness Mnisi
Housekeeper
At Silvan Safari it's truly a family affair and nowhere is that more evident than with Happiness. Spreading cheer wherever she goes, Happiness joins her mom, Connie, as part of our Housekeeping team. This mom-of-two first began working in the safari industry in 2012 and has since perfected the art of sprinkling laughter around Silvan's suites.
Excitement Ngomane
Housekeeper
Bringing stories of animal sightings and lodge happenings with her wherever she goes, Excitement first began her career studying hospitality through The Good Work Foundation in 2015, an initiative very close to Silvan's heart. After that, she spent three months in training at a renowned lodge in Kruger and her arrival at Silvan marks her first time in the Housekeeping division. Back at home, Excitement has a little girl who shares her mom's enthusiasm for life.
Elly Mzila
Scullery
The most stylish man around camp award has to go to Elly who is known to wear a snazzy, full-length white suit from time to time. He loves keeping busy especially when it involves playing soccer and dancing to music. His favourite animals to spot in Sabi Sand are buffaloes - especially the old dagger boys.
Beinah Ndlovu
Scullery
Beinah is a livewire if there ever was one and at just 20 years old, she is Silvan's youngest family member and joins Lori and Odette in the kitchen. She likes to spend her time playing sport and enjoying the outdoors with her family - which include her adorable twin boys. Since joining the Silvan family she has decided that her favourite animal is the elephant.
Innocent Mathuvele
Maintenance
Innocent's love of landscaping saw him caringly restore the fever trees at Silvan and rehabilitate other flora surrounding camp after its construction. His green thumb has gotten him into a few sticky situations, having twice run into Silvan's resident leopard, Tiyani, as she roamed the lodge's grounds. Innocent may look like the serious type, but the only thing he's serious about is his garden and his strong skillsets now see him join Silvan as part of our maintenance team. More recently, Innocent added another job title to his resume: 'Dad'.
Miklaas Mashaba
Maintenance
Miklaas is as industrious as they come, a superb quality for anyone on our Maintenance team. Born and raised in Lilydale just outside of Sabi Sand, Miklaas has called himself a plumber, entrepreneur, engineer, and handyman to name a few. And after all that excitement? Miklaas is simply enjoying the stillness of the bush and the birds which wake him up every morning.
