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“They didn’t realise who I was and had<br />
no idea about my connection to this<br />
part of the world through my uncle<br />
when we first spoke,” says Michele.<br />
A true labour of love, mFulaWozi is<br />
the result of an incredible ‘meeting of<br />
minds’ between the developers and<br />
multiple Zulu chiefs who agreed to<br />
unlock 16 000 hectares of bushveld,<br />
expanding the footprint of the<br />
existing Hluhluwe/iMfolozi park.<br />
Both Mthembu Lodge and the other<br />
lodge on the reserve, Biyela Lodge,<br />
were entirely built by members of the<br />
surrounding communities.<br />
Nestled on the banks of the White<br />
iMfolozi River, Mthembu Lodge is built<br />
in a symbolic, circular configuration.<br />
Everything, from the furniture to the wall hangings and even<br />
floor mats, was inspired by the circular design of the lodge.<br />
The rooms are magnificent and every detail<br />
has been given careful thought.<br />
“When I walked around the lodge,<br />
I could feel my uncle’s spirit there.<br />
There was no question about me<br />
being involved in this project,” she<br />
says, her voice breaking slightly with<br />
emotion. “The concept came to me so<br />
quickly and we managed to complete<br />
it in just three and a half months. It<br />
usually takes six months for a project<br />
like this.”<br />
Michele knew from the beginning<br />
that she wanted to celebrate the<br />
circular architecture of the lodge.<br />
The circle is often used in design to<br />
represent unity, commitment, love<br />
or community. “It was fitting that the<br />
architecture of this lodge – built by a<br />
couple so connected and committed<br />
to the good of the community<br />
and environment – was so strongly<br />
informed by this shape.”<br />
Michele abandoned the more<br />
traditional rectilinear furniture and<br />
spatial planning in favour of soft<br />
curves and configurations more<br />
circular in nature. Everything, from<br />
the round tables and semi-circle<br />
headboards, to circular grass mats<br />
and baskets adorning the walls,<br />
was inspired by this beautiful<br />
shape. Drawing inspiration from<br />
the landscape, Michele looked at<br />
the wheaty, rusty colours of the<br />
surrounding grasses and the dark<br />
charcoal and grey blue of the river<br />
water. “The circle tends to be viewed<br />
as feminine, which is why our colour<br />
palette, also inspired by the natural stone<br />
and sand surrounding the lodge, is a<br />
delicate yet rich blend of bone, sand,<br />
terracotta, dirty pink and chocolate.<br />
<strong>Dec</strong> 20<strong>21</strong> / Jan 2022 Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhl</strong>anga 73
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