Welcome

Welcome to the new blog spot of Sondela Academy.

Monday 18 January 2016


My Experience at the Avalon Campus

I must say that the opportunity I had to go to Montagu and work at the Victorian Hotel where I had to manage and run the hotel and working at Avalon Springs where my duties where in between housekeeping and the restaurant, I had learned a lot. First of all I would like to thank Sondela and each person who supported me during this experience and challenge. The greatest lesson I learned during this experience is that when entering the business and “grown-up” world you deal with huge responsibilities. There is also no more time for you to make mistakes as each mistake will cost the business money, but we aren’t perfect and if mistakes are made you should take responsibility for it and admit you were wrong. The scary part is when you handle such huge responsibilities you also have to make decisions, these decisions can be impulsive if you have to make them quickly but you always have to think of the consequences because each decision you make will also affect the business in some or other way.

 I am very grateful for this opportunity I had because know I can have a new perspective on life and that everything is not always as it seems. As the old saying goes: “don’t judge a book by its cover”. No matter where you are in life always be grateful for each opportunity and make the best of it, if you are experiencing negativity in the workplace never think that another place will be better because in the end each place has its ups and downs, you just have to make the best of what you’ve got!

Thursday 14 January 2016


Last weekend at Nylstroom the annual "Druiwe fees" took place.
Our students had the opportunity to be part of the festival to market Sondela and Sondela Academy.
Tracy Morris is one of our 2016 specialization year students busy working at the stall.

Well done!

Monday 4 January 2016



Dear old Santa made a stop here on Sondela to suprise the children. From driving in on a golf cart, because the raindeer were getting too hot. Singing along christmas songs and handing out gifts to the children. It was a special moment for all.

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Sondela Stargazing Excursions


During the December holiday, stargazing excursions are being presented at Sondela every Wednesday evening. These excursions depart at around 18h30 from the Reception parking area. A short game drive is conducted on the way to the “Springbok flats” area, during which basic orientation is explained. After sunset the focus turns to the skies and certain constellations are pointed out with a laser pointer and discussed. During this time of year, the constellation of Orion is particularly easy to find. Other constellations such as Crux (the Southern Cross), Taurus (the Bull) and Canis Major (the Large Dog)become visible soon after sunset. The moon is currently waxing and will be full on the 25th of December 2015, Christmas Day. The last time this happened was almost 40 years ago and another full moon will not be visible on December 25 until 2034.

Monday 14 December 2015


 *Abraham Kriel Orphanage*

We had a visit from Abraham Kriel children's home. What an exciting time these children had. Iko de Villiers was all dressed up as Santa and he entertained the young children with donkey rides and giving out presents. There is nothing wrong with giving a little!!!

Sunday 13 December 2015



With summer in full swing, everyone is feeling the heat!
Today our two companion animals, Choppie and Tinkerbell, went for a bit of a hair cut. 
Here we have Tinkerbell showing everyone her new look! 

Thursday 10 December 2015


There is always time for kisses at the Sondela Wildlife centre!
We are also known as a Rehabilitation centre, looking after injured animals and also baby animals that can not look after themselves. We do our best to rehabilitate the animals as soon as they are strong enough to be released back into the wild . 
Here we have Lara Grové with two of our baby giraffes that love attention and feeding time of course!