MEET THE TEAM
Gerti & Philip Kusseler are the founders and directors of Wait A Little Horse Safaris.
Moving to South Africa permanently in 1998, they transformed, with inspired vision, a small farm into the beautiful home and safari camp that is Wait A Little today. Both have ridden horses from a young age and it was their love of wildlife that first brought them to South Africa. The combination of these two passions led to the idea of sharing with guests the unique experience and the thrill of riding horses alongside African wildlife, including the Big Five.
Philip guides the Wait A Little safaris.
He was just 16 years old when he got his German hunting licence, so living and working in Africa was his childhood dream. With hours of patience and dedication Philip has managed to find a way of approaching wildlife such as elephant and lion closely on horseback. He has achieved one of the highest qualification in the guiding industry: Level 3, SKS dangerous game. When he is not guiding he also takes care of Wait A Little's vehicles.
Gerti is responsible for the training of the horses.
She has continued her riding carrier in South Africa by obtaining an FEI instructors qualification and competing actively with her two dressage horses. This background helps her to train and educate the trail horses to become the perfect safari companions for our guests. Gerti is also a qualified guide and oversees all operations, including reservations and catering.
Clare Morrell is our stable manager.
In 2008 Clare volunteered for three months and never left. She has managed to make her passion for horses her job, and is a fully employed member of the Wait A Little team. Clare is responsible for all the horses, their well being and management, their care and training, and she is also responsible for the volunteers. She has a BHS level 5 qualification as a groom and instructor. With her love for wildlife Clare takes every opportunity to join the safaris as back-up.
Jolyon Neytzell - de Wilde is our guide and camp manager.
Jo has joined our team in January 2021. Before he came to us he managed the Karongwe Portfolio lodges on the Reserve. He is a qualified Level 3 Trails Guide, Birding Specialist and has over 20 years of experience guiding. He rode as a child and has a passion for horses, but never managed to combine the two until he started working at Wait a Little. Next to the guiding he also enjoys the camp management and maintenance. Jo is very happy being a member of the Wait A Little family and his role here is one that we can't do without!
Ana Maluka, the best chef.
She has been working for Wait A Little since 2000 and together with Solomon has been with us the longest. Ana became a cook very soon and helped Gerti and Philip in the kitchen. She developed her own way of baking and cooking and started studying recipe books and magazines. Today Ana bakes the most amazing breads, cakes, and desserts without us ever interfering. Her quiches and lunches are the best ever! We couldn’t do without her!
Precious Sithole is our wonderful therapist.
Having always been very ambitious Precious was keen to broaden her horizons. She was always interested in fashion and cosmetics, so Gerti sent her to Johannesburg to do a 3-month therapist course which she passed with ease. Some of our physiotherapist volunteers helped Precious to become the incredible masseuse she is now, and many of our wonderful guests enjoy a relaxing massage in particular after long hours in the saddle.
Solomon Moagi is our longest and most faithful employee.
He is working for us since 2000 and is our foreman. He is doing all the farm work, fixing roads and fences, organising the staff and driving them from and to the village. Solomon collects sand from the river with the TLB for the stables and helps Gerti to fix her riding arena. He also does general building and sets up our sleep out camp.
Inno Mahlo is our main groom.
Inno started working for us in 2008 and we quickly realised that he had a real love for horses. He does it all, he feeds them, he helps to get them ready for trail, he organises the tack room like no one else, he cleans them after the safari and brings them all back into their paddocks. But he also gets involved with a lot of other things, as he literally can't sit still. He helps the girls in the kitchen and man, when he is in there there is a lot of giggling going on.
Mathews Sekobela is the VIP show groom.
Being only 25 years old when he joined us, Mathews quickly learned everything about horses and very soon started traveling with Gerti to shows. Now he is the best show groom and of course also an excellent helper back home with the safari horses. He is amazing with fixing tack and is always there when a hand is needed.
Antonia Shai, our wonderful kitchen fairy.
An interesting fact about Antonia is that she has 8 children but you would never know. She has never missed a day of work in her whole career here at Wait A Little. She is one of the happiest people we know, always smiling and chatty. She works like a trojan and is well-loved by all.
