Why we run on Girl Power

Every now and again, someone asks, “So, what’s Sodwana Bay Lodge’s biggest asset?” And, like the polite grown-ups we are, we murmur something about location, views and the dive spots. But deep down, we know it’s not the location. It’s not even the cocktails (though, granted, they do help). It’s our employees. And this piece is a tribute to our 81 female employees.

Eighty-one. That’s an army of talent and patience. From management making sure we don’t accidentally order 4 000 pineapples instead of 40, to the laundry ladies who somehow turn salt-stiff towels into cloud-soft miracles and the receptionists who have mastered the art of smiling even when the Wi-Fi hiccups—these women keep the lodge humming.

They run the restaurant, making sure your fish is grilled just so. They pour your sundowner with the kind of precision you normally only see in Olympic sports. They tidy up rooms with the magic that would put Disney’s talking brooms out of business. And they do all this while navigating the unpredictability of coastal weather and guests who need help.

They’re not just employees—they’re the warm welcome, the helping hand, the voice of calm when you’ve just realised you left your suitcase in Johannesburg. They’ve got stories, grit, humour and a knack for turning chaos into order without breaking a sweat.

So, this Women’s Month, here’s to our 81 wonders. May your coffee always be strong and your patience remain legendary. Sodwana Bay Lodge simply wouldn’t be Sodwana Bay Lodge without you.