Chalk to big cheese
THIS week, Xolile Mtshazo speaks to former teacher and go-getter Tiveka Stallah Mathumbu, who has won several business and entrepreneurship awards, including the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2010
WHAT is your background?
I was born at Ngove village, in the Greater Giyani Local Municipal area of Mopani District, in Limpopo. I taught for 25 years and resigned in 2001 to start my own business. I’m married with three children.
Are you from a business-oriented family?
Yes. My father had many shops around the Giyani area.
What sparked the idea of starting a lodge, and what is the reason behind the name?
After resigning from teaching, I relocated to Polokwane, where I opened a restaurant selling traditional food. People loved my food.
In 2006, I had an opportunity to buy 132 hectares of land, which was being used as a hunting farm. I then converted it into a game lodge. Tiveka is a Tsonga name meaning “famous ”. I was given this name the day I was born.
Have you always wanted to be a businesswoman?
Yes. I started by selling ice blocks and then baked fish and scones at a young age to supplement my income.
What services does your lodge offer?
Accommodation, meaning a total of 64 rooms, game viewing of at least 10 different types of wild animals,
weddings, conference facilities with a capacity of about 1000 people, a swimming pool, braai areas, dining hall and a licensed cash bar.
What sets you apart from other lodges?
We offer traditional food, which is much sought after. The lodge is strategically situated on the R101 between Polokwane and Mokopane, among the Swartberg Mountains, which lend tranquillity and superb weather.
The buildings are surrounded by game. We cater for all tastes: from day visitors looking for a place to relax to affordable accommodation for those wanting to stay for a few days.
This is an ideal setting for conferences and weddings because it is central to major towns.
Did you ever want to give up?
It took me two years after I started operating to break even. In addition, a lack of funding added pressure on the sustainability of the business.
In 2008, the Limpopo provincial department was placed under administration. This had a negative impact on the business, since local provincial departments form part of our main clients.
This resulted in a decline of government bookings.
I never gave up on what I believed
in, it was an eye-opener for me. This situation ensured that I start expanding my marketing strategy to cater for social groups, schools, universities and corporate clients.
How has your business grown since inception?
When we started six years ago, I only had six rooms and two employees. Now, I have 64 rooms and 22 full-time employees. The lodge now has three conference halls, a pool, cash bar, a game drive vehicle and three lapas. The occupancy rate improved from 10% to 70%.
When was the lodge built and where did the finance come from?
It was built in September 2006. In 2007, I started renovating the existing chalets, reception and dining area.
In 2008, I started operating on a small scale. I funded the lodge using personal savings, pension fund, Department of Trade and Industry grant, two businesses called Tiveka Bukuta and Tiveka Business Enterprise and the lodge.
How do you wish to improve the lodge?
I want to add self-catering units, and separate camps for schoolkids, a soccer pitch and golf and tennis courts.