RETURN Africa proudly announces the nomination of Godfrey Baloyi, General Manager of our Pafuri Collection, to Daily Maverick’s list of South Africans who ’embody the spirit of Madiba’.
The Makuleke Contractual Park, owned by the Makuleke community, stands as a testament to reconciliation and perseverance. In 1998, land ownership of ancestral lands in the northern Kruger National Park was returned to this community, transforming the area into a beacon of conservation and community-led tourism.
“I am deeply humbled by this nomination and greatly appreciate the spotlight it shines on the incredible relationship that has developed between RETURN Africa and the Makuleke community,” says Godfrey Baloyi, General Manager of RETURN Africa Pafuri Collection. “Pafuri Camp rests on the banks of the ever-flowing Luvuvhu River, where you wake to the bird calls of the riverine forest, and watch the daily parade of elephants, crocodiles, buffalo and antelope from the deck in front of your tent – it was once home to our people, and now our RETURN Africa team welcomes you as if you are visiting us as friends. We are proud of how far we’ve come and we are proud that this precious place on earth can be passed on to our future generations.”
Today, the Makuleke community owns 26,000 hectares of one of Kruger National Park’s most biodiverse region, showcasing approximately 75% of the entire Park’s flora and fauna. Visitors to this region contribute to the ongoing success story of the Makuleke people.
