Women bosses get celebrity treat at Madikwe

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Friday October 26, 2007 00:00

The eight women were the manager of Urban Space, Noelene Farr, director of departmental management at the directorate of public service management, Nobantu Kalake, marketing and communications manager of the Botswana Power Corporation, Tlhomamiso Selato, leadmaster at Kgabosereto Junior Secondary School, Maruapula Pilane, Botswana Power Corporation human resources manager, Ipaballe Bolelang, Vero Kgakge the finance and administration manager for SADC's development finance and resource center, Mamotswa Mguni, customer service and membership manager at the Botswana Medical Aid (BOMAID) and Kim Hendricks, manager of the Bytes Technology Group.

They were nominated by their subordinates, who called in to say they were excellent bosses during Shombie Ellis' morning show on Gabz FM, in a competition that was run by the department of South African tourism.

None of them were aware of the competition. They were shocked when they were told that they would be pampered at one of the lodges at Madikwe Game Reserve.

Many cancelled previous appointments though they were not sure that they were doing the right thing. It was the way they were selected at their work places that made them feel particularly special.

A convoy of five 4X4 Jeeps - a commando, Cherokee, dodge and wrangler - sponsored by Naledi Motors, arrived causing a bit of drama at the offices. Scorpion bodyguards escorted them to the cars where they were given glasses of champagne and strawberries as they boarded.

The convoy then drove through the Dondenport border gate near Sikwane village. 'I thought it was all a big joke or that someone was playing a trick on me until the cars arrived and there was this commotion with the bodyguards and the cameraman. I felt so important yet so little and I loved it,' Kalake said.

Madikwe Game Reserve has about 30 lodges that are privately owned and the convoy headed to the Etali Safari lodge where upon arrival the 'boss ladies' were given scented wet towels to wipe their faces and hands upon arrival before being ushered to their rooms.

The ladies could not believe their eyes upon inspection of their luxurious air conditioned suites each set apart for total privacy in their own bushveld domain.

The mix of cool and earthy colors in the dcor was a peaceful contrast to the unsurpassed beauty of the sweet-thorn acacia trees outside. The women also indulged in for a body scrub and a back massage to help them relax in the lodge's wellness spa.

'I am on a roller-coaster. I think it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I really needed this break,' Selato said. After supper and entertainment by the lodge choir, the 'celebrities' were escorted to their rooms by the security guards carrying rifles.

'I have been amongst the headmistresses who have been applauded by our employers but when one of my subordinates thinks that I am fantastic, it is overwhelming. I am so excited,' said Pilane.

The 'boss ladies' were treated to an early morning game drive with an expert ranger, whose hawk eyes spotted all the wildlife, the black rhino with attitude, the watchful matriarch elephant, grazing zebras and the giraffes were amongst the many that were seen.

'This is divine. I am thankful to God that this has happened to me. It is an experience of a lifetime,' Bolelang said. The game drive ended with the women having a light breakfast at the top of the mountain, while taking in the beautiful scenic below.

While many women enjoyed their treat, Kgakge agonised over the possibility of being attacked by a dangerous animal and could not sleep alone.

'The treat was splendid more especially for someone like me who is not so keen on game viewing because of the risks involved. But it could not have come at a better time because it was like a birthday gift,' Kgakge said referring to her birthday last Thursday.

According to the SADC activation manager for the South African Tourism, Becky Motumo, they are hitting their marketing of their holiday destination to Batswana hard. 'We have realised that we get substantial travelers from Botswana who come shopping here, and we want to expose them to business leisure,' she said.

This is the time that people are preparing for the festive season, she pointed out, and want to attract people to look in to the South African holiday destinations to unwind.

'With this treat we wanted to see the people that we are attracting at face value instead of communicating through adverts placed in the media,' Motumo said.