In a province that holds some of South Africa’s best-kept tourism secrets, the winner of the 2006 ETEYA award is a very special gem. Mambedi Country Lodge and Conference Centre is set among the lush green vegetation of Limpopo in what used to be known as the Great North. With its sparkling white buildings, aquamarine roofs and natural brick guest rondavels under thatch, Mambedi is under the personal supervision of owner Calvin Maphophe, who was named Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year by Moeketsi Mosola, chief executive of SA Tourism, at the World Travel Market in London on 9 November.
ETEYA Judging Criteria
ETEYA was launched in 2001 to encourage and sustain development of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) within South Africa’s tourism and hospitality industries. Open to black emerging tour operators and hospitality hosts, the competition is judged on value of the business to the community, innovation in service and facilities, growth potential, sustainability and job creation opportunity. Judges also take into account the amount of start-up capital and the history of the business.
Young Establishments
Entrants must have been operating for less than 3 years, employ no more than 50 people and have an annual turnover not exceeding R3 million. As well as Mambedi, this year’s finalists were: Linga Longa Guest House at White River, Mpumalanga (which scooped the second prize); Kwa-Eden (a self-catering establishment in Johannesburg which came third); Earl-Earl Bed and Breakfast in the Eastern Cape; Cape Rhino Tours in the Western Cape; Imvubu Guest House in KwaZulu-Natal; Thuthukani Guest House in the Free State and Boinelo Heritage Tours & Safaris in North West Province.
Tranquil Oasis
In addition to the R50 000 first prize, sponsored by Absa Bank, Maphophe wins the opportunity to take part in the 2007 ITB in Berlin. His tranquil oasis set on the banks of the Mambedi River, with the Soutpansberg Mountains in the distance, will thus be marketed at Europe’s largest travel and tourism exhibition. Potential visitors will be introduced to a little piece of paradise less than half a day’s drive from Johannesburg, where modern conveniences do nothing to detract from the mystery, legend and spectacular natural wonders of a vast landscape that is home to Africa’s Rain Queen and archaeological sites that date back 3 million years. Limpopo, a land of savannah and cycads, indigenous forest and misty mountains, clear lakes and peaceful valleys, is South Africa’s most eco-friendly province, with national parks, game reserves and well managed game farms covering some 3.6 million hectares of Africa’s finest Bushveld.
Alternative Accommodation
Previous ETEYA winners and contenders not only offer travellers alternatives to mass-market hotels but also give them unique opportunities to experience South Africa’s people, diverse culture, heritage and scenic splendour. At Nomndeni View Lodge in Mpumalanga’s capital, Nelspruit, visitors can stay in the Madiba Suite or the Graça Suite, named after South Africa’s most famous son, Nelson Mandela, and his third wife. At Vevisa Lodge, also in Limpopo, the focus is on traditional Venda custom and food. Attractions include a typical Venda village, craft shop, herbarium, fruit and vegetable market, while adventurous diners are presented with a Brave Mouth Certificate after tasting a local culinary delight, Mopani Worms.
Heritage Tours
The inaugural ETEYA winner, Mankwe Heritage Tours and Safaris, not only offers game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park near Sun City, but also combines viewing of the Big Five with a heritage tour introducing visitors to the history and culture of the indigenous Tswana people. And even within the city limits, visitors can enjoy a truly ‘local’ experience. Lolo’s Guest House, situated in Diepkloof, Soweto, has been featured in the New York Times and has a homegrown historian at the helm. The hostess, Mrs. Mabitsela, is a retired teacher who experienced at first hand the Soweto uprising in 1976 and has a wealth of anecdotes about that turbulent time to share with guests.
Sustainable Development
Winners and finalists over the past 5 years embody exactly what the ETEYA awards are designed to encourage: sustainable development of tourism and grassroots hospitality. This year’s competition saw a 21% increase in the number of entries by tour operators and an impressive 35% jump in entries from entrepreneurs aged between 25 and 30.
ETEYA award-winners are often off the beaten track, but for those seeking more authentic and affordable alternatives to the mainstream hotel and tour establishments, they offer the ideal gateway to the many wonders of the vast canvas that is South Africa.
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