This month we would like to introduce you to Elephant’s Eye, Hwange’s amazing administrator and talented massage therapist, Cathy! Cathy’s warm nature and meticulous organisation go a long way in making sure that every guest’s stay at the lodge is one to remember. Cathy does double duty giving guests holistic treatments in the spa and then working behind the scenes, making sure the day-to-day running of the lodge goes off without a hitch. She’s an essential part of the team and we couldn’t do it without her!
We chatted to Cathy to find out a bit more about what makes her tick…
Where are you from?
I am from Harare.
How long have you been working at Elephant’s Eye?
It has been 7 months now since I joined Elephant’s Eye on the 24th of April 2017.
Why did you decide to work in the travel industry?
Well after many years of working in the commercial world along with the hustle and bustle of city life as a Spa Therapist and Administrator, I realized that there was more out there in the travel world that I was missing out on, in terms of getting in touch with and understanding the art of nature, learning new languages, and interacting with cultures from different areas locally, regionally and internationally.
What’s your favourite part about the job?
My favourite part of my jobs is that in the Spa I enjoy giving my guests the pleasure and experience of relaxation and releasing of tension in their body during a massage. On the administration side, I enjoy being in control of the day-to-day activities going on in the office, and communication from our two offices; Zim Ops in Vic Falls and head office in Cape Town. This has earned me knowledge in Tourism reservations, as well as communication skills and good relations within my work environment, which I think will take me a long way as an individual.
Do you have a funny or interesting story that happened while you were working?
Ooohh we had an elephant charge on us near the kitchen at night about 2 months ago and somehow thought it had gone but it hadn’t. So Joylyn from front-of-house came carrying table clothes with a torch on and the next thing we see this huge elephant in front of us charging, so Joylyn drops everything she had in her hands and we ran like headless chickens. Imagine 3 people trying to fit through the kitchen door which was only open on one side. It happened in such a split second, I found myself under the counter in the kitchen, Joylyn behind the fridge counter and chef by the door shouting “but you guys how you can squeeze in like that almost leaving me with no space to enter the kitchen!” Ooohh my, till today I still laugh about it scary as it was when it happened because I never thought I could still take my legs that fast and run for my life like I did that day.
What’s your favourite animal?
When I was growing up I never really had a favourite wild animal because I had a poodle puppy and that’s all that mattered to me then. But after experiencing life in the bush the Elephant (JUMBO) has become my favourite animal and have grown to be very sensitive about Elephants.
