Fireside Moments from the Women of Donkey Long Tong

This Women’s Day, we honour the women who help keep the fire burning - at work, at home, and wherever life takes them.

At Donkey Long Tong, fire means more than heat. It means connection, comfort, memories, and moments shared. The women in our team know this well. Each of them carries a story where fire played a quiet role. Whether it’s in the wild, on a beach, around a family table, or halfway across the world, these women know what it means to gather around flames and feel at home.

This Women’s Day, we asked them to reflect on a memory around the fire. What follows is a collection of those memories; each one as unique and grounded as the woman behind it.

Simone - Co-founder

For Simone, the most meaningful fires burn beside rivers, where time slows and the world softens. Her favourite memories are shaped by the banks of the Orange River. Barefoot evenings in the sand, a beachy patch of land to call home for a few days, and the sound of moving water behind a crackling fire.

The simplicity of it all is what makes it powerful: a small fire, a glass of red wine, and the way flames reflect in the calm of the river. These moments are less about doing and more about being. Watching the fire dance as night settles in, feeling part of nature instead of apart from it. It’s a kind of stillness that only fire and wilderness can offer.

Nolu

For Nolu, fire is woven into the fabric of family life. Her favourite moments are not big events or grand adventures, but the quiet, tucked-in winter nights when the cold presses in from outside and the fire roars within.

There’s something grounding about those evenings: everyone wrapped in blankets, pressed close together, laughter rising above the crackle of wood. The wind might be howling outside, but inside, the fire offers a calm centre to gather around. This fireside memory is full of warmth and not just from the flames, but from the love that fills the room.

Nikita

On Nikita's birthday, just as guests began arriving, a freak power outage swept through her neighbourhood. No electricity. No stove. No lights.

Instead of panicking, she started a fire. With dozens of candles flickering, they gathered outside, layering nachos onto a grid and melting cheese over glowing coals. What could have been a disaster turned into one of the most memorable celebrations she’s ever had.

That night, fire stepped in. Not just to save the food, but to bring everyone together. For Nikita, fire didn’t just keep the party going. It made the night unforgettable.

Lara

Lara’s fondest fireside memory is set on a rocky stretch of beach, on the final night of the year. New Year’s Eve, marshmallows in hand, sea air on her skin, and flames dancing into the sky.

Surrounded by sun-kissed friends and family, everyone waiting for midnight, it was one of those rare moments where time slows down and everything feels exactly right. There was sand in their shoes, laughter in the air, and a sense of togetherness that only comes when you share a fire with people you love.

That night wasn’t just a celebration of a new year, but a reminder that fire has a way of anchoring us. It brings us into the present. Even as the clock ticked forward, the flames held them all in the moment.

Monica

Monica’s relationship with fire began in childhood. She was fascinated by how it transformed everything it touched. She would gather twigs and leaves from the yard and feed them into the flames, watching with wide eyes as they curled, smoked, and disappeared.

What began as childlike curiosity became a lifelong appreciation. Even now, as an adult, she still finds herself drawn to the way fire moves. Her fireside moments are not about big memories, but about observation.

Carla

For Carla, fire has always been part of life’s rhythm. From childhood camping trips to family braais, to quiet nights at home by the kaggel, it has been a constant presence.

One memory stands apart: after seven years apart, her extended family reunited for a braai in the United States. In a different country, under unfamiliar skies, they lit a fire and gathered around it. Despite the distance, it felt like coming home.

That night was filled with stories, shared plates, and a warmth that went far beyond the flames. For Carla, it was a reminder of what fire does best. It connects us, no matter where we are. It brings us together, no matter how far we’ve come.

Final Words

These women don’t just keep the fire burning. They remind us why we gather around it. In their stories, we see that fire is more than fuel or flame. It’s a connection point, a comfort, a catalyst for memory and meaning.

This Women’s Day, we celebrate them the best way we know how: with stories, with gratitude, and with fire.