Singita Community Culinary School

The Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS) is one of SLT’s flagship community partnership programmes. Founded at Singita Kruger National Park in 2007 and now based at Lebombo, the school equips young people from neighbouring villages with the skills and training necessary to pursue careers as professional chefs.

Each year, eight students complete an intensive 12-month course delivered in partnership with the Prue Leith Culinary Institute. This culminates in a six-month paid internship within Singita’s kitchens or those of selected partner lodges. Each cohort is chosen for its talent and commitment, and all costs are fully covered, including tuition, uniforms, equipment, accommodation, ingredients, and a monthly stipend.

The SCCS represents a significant step towards achieving our long-term community development goal of supporting families living in and around our concession to thrive—both economically and socially. More than 200 students have now graduated across our campuses in South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda, with many employed at our properties or in lodges, hotels, restaurants, and private kitchens further afield.

Graduates such as Vanessa Rakoma and Mbhali Khoza—now respectively a chef and sous chef at Lebombo—reflect the programme’s transformative impact.