Tourism is in his blood
MPUMALANGA is famous as one of Mzansi’s most attractive tourist destinations, what with the Kruger Park s Big Five and the Drakensberg escarpment’s God’s Window found there.
However, one man, Elliot Marobela, has made it his mission since the late 1990s to turn the town of Graskop into a haven for tourists from all walks of life.
Marobela, 48, is the owner and manager of the Graskop Holiday Resort, situated in the middle of all the tourist attractions like Sodwana Bay, Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and the Blyde River Canyon, among others.
From humble beginnings working as a security guard at one of the well-known resorts in the province, Forever Resorts Blyde Canyon, Marobela worked himself up to senior management.
From the time I was young I didn’t enjoy doing one thing for more than five years, from being a guard I learnt to answer the phone and the next step was working at the front desk as receptionist,” says Morobela.
At the time, the resort overlooking his home village of Matibidi was still known by the previous name of its owner group, Aventura Resorts.
I was later promoted to be a front office manager. I then decided to pursue a learnership with the Hospitality Industry Training Board, as an in-service trainee.”
Marobela says in 2000, he enrolled to study for hotel management at Technikon Witwatersrand, thereafter he did a finance management course, which led him to be appointed financial manager at the Blyde Canyon resort.
In 2004, the ambitious Marobela was promoted to the senior accounts manager at Badplaas, another Forever Resorts facility 225km to the south.
It didn’t take long for me to become the deputy general manager, thereafter I was promoted to general manager position at Forever Resorts White River Lodge,” he says.
But when he hit the ceiling, with no further rise in the offing, he left to open his own establishment.
Today he employs 40 people at his resort, which he rescued after years in state of collapse.
Instead of management appreciating my progress and loyalty, I began hearing disconcerting remarks about how I was over-experienced.
I wasn’t sure what they really meant, but what I knew is that there was no further promotion coming my way. So l left.
I believe in self-empowerment and with my knowledge how to run a holiday resort I felt confident to surge ahead on my own.
I spoke to the municipality to take over the collapsed Graskop resort, which they owned.”
Despite the property price being beyond his means at the time, he was fortunate to find the Sabie Country Kitchen and Guest House that was no longer in use.
Marobela says he approached the owner and he agreed to rent it out to him with the intention of selling it to him later.
Although the hospitality industry entrepreneur didn’t have the financial muscle, he however drew a proposal, and approached the Industrial Development Corporation and other financiers for assistance.
I then presented my credentials related to my work in the hotel industry. When I was announced as the preferred bidder to take over Graskop resort I was elated. I partnered with a friend to buy and turn the place around.”
Marobela took over the ownership of the Graskop Holiday Resort in 2014. Since then the establishment has undergone remarkable renovations.
Apart from the 12 rondavels, each accommodating two to four people, and 26 chalets accommodating two to six people, there are 36 family rooms.
There s a caravan park/camping site for alternative accommodation for the more adventurous.
Swimmers can choose from the large modern pool, and a clean natural pool forming part of a stream passing through the resort.
There are plenty of outdoor activities and facilities to chill and have a drink.
The resort caters for families, individuals, school groups, weddings and conferences.
Marobela says as the hospitality industry was coming from the low peak winter season, numbers are expected to climb in the next few weeks leading to the December holiday period.
I am in the process of getting a three-star grading, which I have already applied for. Our pride is to give our visitors memories of a lifetime.”
Marobela’s resort is registered with the Mpumalanga Agency and Tourism Organisation.
He can be contacted on: