Tourism
ourism has grown to be a significant foreign revenue earner for South Africa over the past decade. South Africa is the leading destination for meetings and conferences on the continent. Cape Town is the leading meetings destination within the country, which Johannesburg follows a close second, ahead of Durban. The three cities are boosted by having International Convention Centre. This has seen a number of high quality accommodation establishment mushrooming throughout Gauteng. The province of Gauteng seeks to position itself as a leading business tourist destination.
One such establishment is Zaza’s Guesthouse and Spa in Pimville, Soweto. The guesthouse recently won the tourism category in the Township Entrepreneurship Awards, which were recently hosted by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
Manager and owner Ayanda Hermanus is a qualified somatologist or beautician who earned her stripes working on cruise ships. The business benefits from intergenerational wealth creation, as Hermanus took the proceeds from her cruise ship work and converted a house that her mother bought in 1970 but that was standing vacant following her passing into a guesthouse and spa.
“And that is how Zaza’s Guesthouse and Spa came about. When I started the guesthouse I was alone with a security guard and now I employ three staff members and a security guard,” says Hermanus.
Hermanus says that the biggest challenge she is faced with is the financial side of the business and keeping the books up to date as the costs of a qualified accountant are very high.
Capacity is also a challenge as the guesthouse only has three bedrooms, and its luxury accommodation is in high demand. “I am still in the process of tackling the challenges of finding means for expansion and getting a reasonable accountant”
The guesthouse has 90% local and 10% international guests, and Hermanus says the biggest driver of growth at Zaza’s Guesthouse and Spa is return guests. “Being able to meet the demand would be the biggest growth driver,” she says. Gauteng is the largest supplier of domestic tourism, so Zaza’s Guesthouse can literally serve as a home away from home.
The ultra-luxurious suites boast trappings like Wi-Fi, satellite television, and complimentary beverage trays, all set in five-star comfort with crisp linen and bedding options that can be configured to include king size beds.
Hermanus notes that being in the township has been the biggest advantage as tourists want to see the true authentic South Africa — and what better way to see it than experiencing the kasi vibe? “Township tourism is going places and more and more experiences are being created,” she says.
The range of attractions that can be accessed from the guesthouse start with Soweto hotspots such as Vilakazi Street, the Hector Petersen Memorial and other struggle heritage sites and shisa nyama spots. You can venture further to areas such as Sandton for conferences, events and shopping and venture out to areas such as Hartebeespoort Dam and the Cradle of Humankind, or use the guesthouse as a springboard to venture out into the neighbouring provinces of North West and Limpopo. — Thebe Mabanga