Gift upholds Mama Tofu’s dream

Donation helps sustain cultural village – one of province’s tourism gems

Ngxingxolo Cultural Village in Mooiplas received a muchneeded shot in the arm on Wednesday in a moving tribute to the late tourism stalwart Wilfred Tofu.

Furniture valued at R300,000 was handed over by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) at the village.

Wilfred Tofu, affectionately known as “Mama Tofu”, mentored many tour guides, sharing the rich history of the Eastern Cape and Xhosa culture with international tourists.

She died in 2016, leaving the village to her daughter, Zinzi Tofu.

ECPTA chief executive Vuyani Dayimani said the move was aimed at honouring and celebrating Tofu’s life and efforts in profiling and preserving Xhosa culture.

He said the cultural village had evolved into an iconic fixture in the offering.

“Mama Tofu does not only leave behind a legacy of cultural tourism preservation and tourism transformation, but also carries the baton for being the oldest tour guide in the country,” Dayimani said.

“Through its furniture donation, ECPTA seeks to meet the expectations of international tourists, as well as give the village a competitive edge in the Eastern Cape tourism offering.

“Inspired by her efforts of community building and ECPTA’s province’s tourism mandate of tourism transformation and destination marketing, the ECPTA saw it integral to its mandate, to help upgrade this hub by donating furniture as a gesture of appreciation, and a way to keep Mama Tofu’s efforts and dreams alive.”

He added that cultural tourism was a key driver in the province’s tourism landscape.

Zinzi said the village attracted local and international tourists and prided itself on creating job opportunities for locals.

The cultural village has created 42 indirect jobs, including training and skills development for women in art and crafts, which are sold to tourists.

“My soul is at peace. ECPTA has rescued us. My mother’s spirit is happy where she is,” Zinzi said.

“Locals benefit from what we are doing.

“Even the children do not just roam the streets – they practise cultural dances during their spare time.

“Tourists still come in numbers and we now have beds for them to sleep on,” Zinzi said.

My soul is at peace. ECPTA has rescued us. My mother’s spirit is happy