Meet Theodorah Ngobeni, fondly known as Dudu, who has been part of Cheetah Plains for nearly twelve years. Dudu has a calming, inquisitive and enduring charm about her. Always striving to give, learn and be more, Dudu started her career in hospitality as part of the scullery team and now boasts the role of Head Housekeeper. She passionately leads a team of ladies and ensures that every final touch is tended to, from personalised embroidery to preparing gifts for guests.

Besides her professional endeavours, Dudu’s passions extend to the netball court, the culinary arts, and the world of birding. Very impressively, she can also speak a total of seven languages, of which five are vernacular. Yet Dudu’s aspirations reach beyond personal pursuits. She envisions one day sharing her embroidery skills to empower the people in her local community of Utah. The pride she feels for her community roots runs deep, and Dudu wholeheartedly believes in giving back to the people that shaped her into who she is today.

Dudu knows first-hand the invaluable role that the Lezagwa Utah Crèche plays in nurturing young minds, as she is a mother to a five-year-old boy who has been going to the crèche since he was two years old. In support of the local early childhood development centre in our neighbouring community of Utah, Cheetah Plains constructed the Lezagwa Utah Community Crèche in 2019. This facility supports the employment of teachers and assistants that care for over 60 children between six months and five years old. Grateful for the crèche’s incredible impact on her own child’s educational development, she says that it has helped uplift her community and its future generations, which she holds very dear.

A woman of substance, driven by a passion for service, a thirst for knowledge and an unwavering dedication to giving back to others.