Ten Years – One Purpose

Our Angama story, simply put, is a love story. It all started in 1981 when Steve and I built and opened —entirely by mistake — our first hotel at the tip of Africa. Looking back, we had no idea how deeply we would fall in love with our guests, the staff that care for them and an industry that celebrates all that is good in this world: being of service. The Beatles’ first song over 60 years ago says it all: ‘Love, love me do; You know I love you; I'll always be true, So please, love me do’.  

Scrolling forward 54 years to this wonderful day when the Angama celebrates a decade of caring for staff and guests, I ask myself: Do we still believe in working alongside a great team, delighting our guests and giving them memories to treasure forever? Absolutely. But with a difference — a significant difference. Initially, it was all about the bottom line and growing shareholder value. Of course, that still holds true today, but it’s more than that.

Our purpose has evolved into ensuring our business plays a small but significant role in leaving our planet a better place for all who touch it: our neighbouring communities, the magnificent reserves in which we operate and the wildlife that calls Africa home.  

Looking back all these years, I now know that job creation in far-flung corners of the world where there are zero employment opportunities is deeply embedded in our purpose. That must never change, and looking ahead, we and our industry need to do more to create opportunities for the young men and women who are custodians of the Earth’s wild places.  

Angama Mara was built with love — every square inch. The front of the house and the heart of the house. In under 12 months, Steve ensured that 10,000 sqm of buildings were completed in record time. These images capture those rollercoaster months when over 500 builders raced to ensure the Angama family was lined up and ready to wrap their collective loving arms around our first guests in June 2015. It was close. So close in fact, that those of us who were there are still recovering.  

That team was lovingly selected and threw themselves into creating a service culture that captures the heart of every guest who crosses our threshold. Ten years ago, we started with 120 staff — today, 85 celebrate turning 10 with us. Nothing could make me more proud.  

Now and Then 

I know it's true 
It's all because of you 
And if I make it through 
It's all because of you 

I know it's true 
It's all because of you 
And if I make it through 
It's all because of you 

As I am strictly controlled in how many words I am allowed while penning this piece, I sadly cannot share with you how many mistakes I have made over the past 40-something years, but I can say I have made every mistake possible — some even repeatedly.

But somehow, those don’t matter as long as we stay true to our purpose:  People first. Always. Thank you, John Lennon, for writing this song in 1977 (but only released two years ago). I dedicate this to the remarkable, hardworking, fun-loving crazy team who have made this past decade such a success. I could not have done it without you.