The winners of the annual Cape Town Tourism Board Development Fund (BDF) have been announced at a glittering industry function at the Cape Town International Conference Centre in the city.
The BDF, established in 2014, has already aided several businesses with cash awards, mentoring and other business-boosting actions. The fund was created by the Board Members of Cape Town Tourism; the members opted to forego their stipends and instead provide support to up-and-coming, historically disadvantaged tourism businesses.
The latest recipients of the BDF, announced at Cape Town Tourism’s AGM are:
4ROOMED EKASI CULTURE
Based on the concept of eKasi four-roomed homes that were the dwellings of the black communities in areas close to the business hubs of the cities of South Africa. The company consists of the fine-dining restaurant eKasi, a food truck and 4Roomed Pantry goods (promoting food security and healthy food choices in the townships, contributing to the economy, accommodation options, heritage décor and props hire and vintage clothing hire and sales. It is owner-operated by former Masterchef SA contestant Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena.
ABCD CONCEPTS
ABCD Concepts is a lifestyle marketing tourism start-up based in the heart of Khayelitsha run by Buntu Matole & Ayanda Cuba. Their mission is to express the experiences and interactions of people and businesses within communities through physical activity.
Enver Mally, outgoing Chairperson, Cape Town Tourism has this to say:
“We all start from somewhere – I remember being in awe of the big hotels in Cape Town when I was younger, and I went on to become Chairperson of this fantastic organisation; who knows what potential can exist in individuals? The BDF is designed to tap into that potential and maximise opportunities. Congratulations to all recipients.”
Previous winners include:
TURNING POINT B & B
Situated in Marinda Park, Kuils River. Owner-Managed by a husband and wife team, Doris and Isaac Manini. It is a four-bedroomed Bed and Breakfast that started operating in 2012 and focusses on leisure and business travel. It’s a bold move to open a tourism business in the suburbs, but it reaches a need.
MABONENG TOWNSHIP ARTS EXPERIENCE
A South African based initiative that was started in Alexandra, Gauteng, by artist, Siphiwe Ngwqenya. The organisation locates and adopts township homes as home galleries where local artists can display their works to visitors and where the women of the home can earn extra income. What an opportunity for visitors and locals to experience art in a fresh context Maboneng Township Arts Experience has since expanded operations to Cape Town, where it enjoys increasing popularity with locals and visitors.
LUNGI’S HOMESTAY AND B & B
This is a story of hardship and commitment, a testimony to Lungi Sotyingwa-Pango’s staying power, despite having to rebuild her business she has managed to overcome challenges and, through sheer grit and determination, is back in action, offering an exciting B&B experience in Khayelitsha.
“Our previous winners have made great use of the programme to improve their business offerings and have managed to inspire others with the growth they have achieved. Sabu Siyaka has created a great business out of nothing but a niche he spotted in the tourism industry, as did Ebrahim Osman of Ozzie’s Golf Guide. Shaheed Ebrahim of Escape to the Cape, another winner from 2015, pioneered onboard Wi-Fi on his vehicles back in 2010 and has since gone on to assist other tour companies with this offering,” Mally concludes.
