“In Child and Youth Care circles, the word “resilience” describes an inner strength that enables children to overcome abuse and neglect. This resilience can be restored when vulnerable children experience love and support. Nosipho Witbooi is a shining example of a child who embraced a second chance in life, uplifted by a community that affirmed and cheered her on during her time at Vuyani Safe Haven and beyond.”
Such are the words written by the team at Vuyani Safe Haven in Graaff-Reinet, one of the community partners supported by Samara since 2010. Growing up in difficult circumstances, Nosipho has gone on to become one of Vuyani’s greatest advocates and a cherished member of the Samara Team.
Nosipho was 10 years old when she was placed in the safe care of Vuyani by court order in 2010. Left by their mother in the care of their grandmother, Nosipho and her siblings endured neglect and alcohol-fuelled abuse. Eventually leaving home, the children dropped out of school and survived by begging at a local supermarket in Somerset East. Nosipho was discovered by a child protection agency living in an abandoned car with friends and an older sibling.
Once at Vuyani, Nosipho quickly found her feet, adjusting well to her new surroundings and family. During a visit to her biological family in Port Elizabeth three years later however, she felt their disdain at her living in a children’s home, despite none of them being willing to take responsibility for her. She returned home to Vuyani determined to show that children placed in care have the same worth as any other child. Her vision culminated in a Christmas play, Nosipho’s Dream, performed at Graaff-Reinet’s Rupert Theatre in December 2013 by a collective of actors, musicians and dancers – an expression of Nosipho’s gratitude for the home and family she had found at Vuyani.
A shining star at Vuyani, Nosipho became head girl of her primary school (Lingcom Primary) – testament to her outgoing personality, active participation in school activities and academic achievements. She passed matric and was accepted into the SA College for Tourism programme in 2020, graduating with a full learnership at Graaff-Reinet’s Drostdy Hotel in 2021.
After her internship, Nosipho was offered a permanent position as a junior chef at Samara – a place she already knew, having attended Samara’s annual Christmas party for Vuyani since 2010 and taken part in other outings to the reserve to learn about conservation and encounter wildlife. In December 2021, Nosipho returned to Samara’s Vuyani Christmas party, but this time as part of the Samara team, serving the children she had once stood among.
During COVID, Nosipho reconnected with both her mother and grandmother, assisting them financially and spending time with them during her holidays from work. Both passed away within a short time of each other, and Nosipho’s Vuyani family provided her with great comfort in dealing with this loss. In August 2022 she was invited to share her story at the SA College for Tourism’s Women’s Day event. She asked Vuyani’s manager Hildegarde Brummer to attend as her family – a testament to the deep bonds nurtured at Vuyani. That same year, Vuyani introduced a new award at its annual prize-giving: The Nosipho Witbooi Award, recognizing children who embody leadership, respect and good behaviour.
Today Nosipho continues to inspire. Now a fully-fledged chef at Samara, she welcomes visitors from around the world, sharing her journey of hope against the odds, and never forgetting her roots.
"If I could tell my younger self something, I would tell her to hold on. The sky is the limit. It doesn’t matter what you’re going through. Change is coming. Stay positive and keep on praying."
- NOSIPHO WITBOOI
Samara Karoo Reserve is a leading conservation journey to restore 67,000 acres of South Africa’s Great Karoo landscape and beyond through rewilding and responsible tourism. Staying at one of Samara’s lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision.
To support Vuyani Safe Haven, please visit their website or make a donation on your next Samara visit.