TAKE YOUR SEAT AT ELEVEN TRIBES

by Chelsey Hale

Things have changed on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) North Coast. Over the past two decades, the region’s oncequiet coastal plains have given way to modern lifestyle centres and bustling holiday hubs. At Zimbali Lodge, transformation is unfolding too, though not through grand structures or towering development, but something far more familiar and deeply comforting: food.

Eleven Tribes, their latest signature restaurant and the first of its kind in the region, blends heritage, flavour, and hospitality. Headed by South African culinary talent Malusi Mkhize, the bold new concept is inspired by South Africa’s eleven official languages, each representing a living cultural legacy.

The newly refurbished 11 Tribes Restaurant at Zimbali Lodge.

Chef Malusi doing what he does best.

“Every South African will find something on the menu that resonates with their heritage,” Chef Malusi explains. “Eleven Tribes is our way of honouring the richness of South Africa’s deeply layered heritage in a way that feels genuine, elevated, and welcoming.”

As things move forward here on the North Coast, Dream Hotels Operations Manager, Reinhard Visser, highlights their effort to honour the past. “We collectively embarked on this ambitious mission to establish a dining destination that not only serves exceptional cuisine but also tells a story – a story of South Africa’s multi-layered history, its flavours, and its people.

“Every culture, every community, every tribe has shaped the identity of this country,” he adds. “It just felt right to create a restaurant that reflects our differences as well as our unity, especially here on the North Coast, where modernity and progress risk leaving history behind.”

With the opening of Eleven Tribes Restaurant, Zimbali Lodge has stepped into a new chapter honouring the full spectrum of cultures that make South Africa extraordinary. It further answers the growing call for culturally grounded storytelling across the country’s tourism and hospitality sector.

At the inaugural KZN Tourism and Hospitality Think Tank, held at The Oyster Box Hotel on 6 November 2025, tourism specialists voiced a unified message: the province needs respectful cultural representation delivered with authenticity.

As Think Tank panellist Mashoto Mokgethi, Head of Domestic Tourism at South African Tourism, emphasised: “Gastronomy is huge. Any culture that does not market its gastronomy is left behind… we must use gastronomy as an essential tool for cultural promotion, ensuring that marketing is both respectful and representative, and that cultural assets are packaged in a way that attracts both local and international visitors.”

Reinhard emphasises how Eleven Tribes represents a step in the right direction for broader provincial tourism collaborative efforts to elevate KZN’s cultural assets and revitalise local heritage sites.

“South Africa, and KZN in particular, is rich with cultural offerings. There is still so much potential in how we share this with the world. For us, Eleven Tribes is a step toward that, by inviting guests to experience local heritage in a genuine and thoughtful way rather than gimmicky displays,” he explains.

With Eleven Tribes, Chef Malusi emphasises that every dish is crafted with intention. “There is reverence in the preparation, and purpose in the plating. We want to honour the ancestry behind each ingredient and flavour while presenting it respectfully with modern craftsmanship.”

To deepen this commitment, the team has collaborated with local artisans, ceramicists, farmers, and producers to ensure that every detail, from the plateware to the ingredients, reflects the artistry and spirit of the communities that inspire it.

Reinhard Visser, Operations Manager.

Bailey Bhima, Zimbali Lodge General Manager.

“We’ve worked hard to bring this concept to life, and we’re excited to share what we have to offer,” says Zimbali Lodge General Manager, Bailey Bhima.

“From our décor to our dining, every detail is being shaped to honour heritage, celebrate diversity. In an era where fast food, commercial chains, and quick fixes prevail, this is true nourishment. Good food that comes from the soil, made lovingly with local hands, with flavours that make us feel something… whether a sense of pride, belonging, or simple enjoyment.”

Eleven Tribes Restaurant.

Ultimately, Eleven Tribes forms part of a wider renewal project at Zimbali Lodge, with upgraded conference spaces, refreshed meeting areas, and a renewed focus on cultural storytelling across the property.

“We’re not just launching a restaurant, we’re reimagining how Zimbali tells its own story,” adds Reinhard, highlighting how Eleven Tribes was born from a clear intention to restore Zimbali Lodge as one of KZN’s most iconic destinations.

In South Africa and across Africa, there is a powerful connection between food and culture and what we put on our plate is closely linked to our history. It carries a narrative that also speaks to the heart of hospitality and tourism, which in essence is about caring for each other, learning from one another, and celebrating the ways our cultures shape who we are.

“Ultimately, Eleven Tribes forms a critical pillar in our wider strategy. It elevates our offering, attracts a new market segment, and reinforces our position as a premium lifestyle destination within Zimbali Estate. More importantly, it provides our guests with an experience executed with the finesse expected of a world-class resort.”

Newly refurbished conferencing centre.

By rooting their culinary direction in heritage while pushing forward creatively, Reinhard and the Zimbali Lodge team hope that Eleven Tribes becomes a symbol of the new Zimbali: confident, contemporary, proudly African, and ready to establish its own legacy.

“No matter what is happening in your life, wherever you go, you still have to eat! So why not offer something more flavourful and interesting?” Reinhard adds.

“Through honouring our past and present, we can create a richer, more resilient future for all. In many ways, that is the real task of Eleven Tribes: to honour our inheritance, while bridging worlds and generations through the simple, profound act of sharing a meal.”

Rooted in heritage, served with imagination. Eleven Tribes brings people together over bold, proudly African flavours.