Tourism Minister de Lille lauds Kruger Shalati as a model for Sustainable Tourism and Community Empowerment

September is a significant month for South Africa as it celebrates Heritage Month and Tourism Month. These observances highlight the importance of preserving cultural diversity and promoting tourism, which is vital to the country’s economy. In this spirit, Kruger Shalati is proudly celebrated as a beacon of hope and an icon of sustainable tourism, community upliftment, and proudly South African hospitality.

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille recently noted that icons like Kruger Shalati are treasures all South Africans can take pride in. More than just a luxury destination, Kruger Shalati embodies the spirit of the nation—a place that combines world-class design with a commitment to empowering local communities.

When visiting Kruger Shalati, guests are not only stepping into luxury; they are walking through a story that began over a century ago with the historic Selati Railway line and the Sabie Bridge. Today, Kruger Shalati is much more than a relic of the past. It is a beacon of hope for the Bushbuckridge community, where unemployment rates soar above 50%. This iconic project has breathed new life into the area, providing meaningful employment and transforming lives.

More than 250 families benefit from Kruger Shalati thanks to its commitment to hiring locally and offering comprehensive training to ensure five-star service. With a philosophy of hiring based on attitude rather than altitude, many staff members with no prior experience are now delivering exceptional fine dining experiences, offering guests the best South African hospitality.

In celebration of the remarkable story of Kruger Shalati, the coffee table book Tracks of Hope: The Kruger Shalati Story is being launched during Heritage and Tourism Month. Authored by Liezel van der Merwe, this book documents the profound transformations brought about by this iconic project.

The book includes the most moving accounts from the staff, such as Mashoto becoming the first in her family to buy a car and Angel, who shared how the project’s faith in her helped her believe in herself. These stories from Kruger Shalati’s employees vividly illustrate the transformation experienced, with the project’s impact extending into homes, schools, and communities, creating opportunities that genuinely change lives.

Beyond its social impact, Kruger Shalati is an architectural marvel, blending local craftsmanship with international design standards. Waking up in a luxury train carriage suspended over the Sabie River, guests are surrounded by the raw beauty of the Kruger National Park, experiencing the magic of Africa like never before. But the real magic happens when guests step out and meet the people whose lives have been touched by this place—people building brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

With the launch of Tracks of Hope: The Kruger Shalati Story this Heritage and Tourism Month, readers are encouraged to not just read about Kruger Shalati but to experience it. Walk through the legacy of the Selati Railway, witness the transformation of the iconic bridge, and meet the people whose stories inspire hope.

The coffee table book will be available at Kruger Shalati’s boutique and can be ordered directly via email at marketing@krugershalati.co.za.