Petunia Mohlili's life truly began the day she started work at Baobab Ridge. Born and raised in the nearby sprawling community of Acornhoek, Petunia was at a loss what to do when she left high school. She decided to contribute as much as she could to her community by becoming a volunteer police reservist and spent the first six years of her  working life fighting crime and trying to make her home a safer place. 

Things changed drastically when she became pregnant in 2016 and was simultaneously retrenched from the police force - even though she had only ever volunteered! Thankfully, she had a friend working at Baobab Ridge who managed to get her a job in the kitchen scullery, helping out.

"So I started here in 2017," the outgoing 36-year-old Petunia explains with a big smile. "It was very strange coming from the police service as a crimefighter into the bush. But the difference was that I was earning an income and was able to support my family. At last I had a future," she nods, reflectively.

"I left my children to be cared for by my aunt, and decided to give this job everything I had. It was scary moving into the bush. Even when I was at school I never went on any of the school trips to learn about tourism or wild animals. So I came straight into the lodge with no experience and started to learn while I was cleaning, not just about my job but about the wildlife as well," she laughs.

"I became interested in every aspect of the lodge, and started learning housekeeping, waitressing, working in the kitchen and I loved it. I started cooking last year (2019) after being taught by the other chefs to prepare vegetables and make bread," she explains. 

"I never knew I had talent as a chef and I quickly fell in love with cooking. I used to dream of being a chef as a child at home," recalls Petunia. "I always cooked at home and now I am able to make my dream come true," she adds. 

Petunia loves watching the cooking shows on TV and has a big file for all of the recipes that appeal to her, spending a lot of her spare time online, researching new dishes.

"My ambition is to grow as a chef and learn as much as I can about cooking and working with food. Baobab Ridge has given me a completely new life. Even at night in bed I am thinking about what I can prepare the following day and different kinds of food," she giggles. 

"My hope for the future is to become the best chef I possibly can be. I want to be a BIG chef! The perfect, perfect chef at Baobab Ridge," she laughs excitedly.

"I spent lockdown practicing at home, and since we opened for guests I've been happy to be back in my kitchen and preparing wonderful meals for everyone. I love being here. It's like family. And we are well looked after here," she says. 

"I now have pride in myself and my abilities. I have a son of 15 and a daughter of 5. My son is in high school and dreams of being a social worker. I am so happy. I have a skill now and a career as a chef. I can plan for my future and for my children's future," says Petunia.

"Tourism is really important to my community. Look at what it has done for me," she states. "I have everything I want and need now. I have a direction and my children have direction and a future. All because of Baobab Ridge."