STRENGTHENING HOMESTAYS THROUGH LOCAL COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY TRAINING
Tuesday, 17th June 2025
It all began with a broader vision to revitalise the homestay sector in Makana. From the outset, there were plans to onboard specialists to provide targeted business development support, as Makana Tourism’s primary mandate is destination marketing—not business empowerment. Recognising the need to strengthen the operational foundations of homestay businesses through strategic guidance, Tumelo Tladi was brought on as the lead trainer for the programme. He then collaborated with other specialists in their respective fields to deliver a more comprehensive and impactful training experience.
With over 28 years of experience in the tourism industry, TT Industries specialises in helping small, tourism-oriented businesses grow—developing operational strategies and guiding them toward becoming medium-sized enterprises.
To expand this support, TT Industries partnered with the Rhodes Centre for Entrepreneurship, led by Professor Matshediso ‘Tshidi’ Mohapeloa, a respected expert with vast experience in entrepreneurship development. This collaboration aimed to bring Rhodes University closer to the community, bridging historical gaps and offering homestay operators practical tools and knowledge to strengthen their businesses.
“Many homestay operators have never stepped into Rhodes or seen it as accessible,” shared Tumelo. “This partnership is helping to break that barrier.”
Empowering Through Training and Reflection
The training, delivered by Professor Matshediso ‘Tshidi’ Mohapeloa—Director of the Rhodes Centre for Entrepreneurship and Coordinator of the PGDip in Enterprise Management—began with sessions focused on personal and business values, offering a powerful foundation for aligning individual purpose with sustainable business growth.
- Mrs. Linda Ngamlana shared that her personal value is passion, and her business value is customer care. She explained that her love for her business fuels her dedication to guests and ensures high-quality hospitality.
- Mrs. Linda Mtse emphasised integrity as both her personal and professional value. She recounted turning down a suspicious booking that didn’t align with her principles, saying, “I refused because I don’t want my home to be seen as a place for unethical behaviour. Integrity helps guide my decisions.”
- Mrs. Faith Ngandi shared a similar experience. She declined a booking request from a group of ten young guests she suspected were planning a party. She explained that she uses an outside flat to host guests and wanted to protect her children from potentially inappropriate behaviour in their family property. Her values guided her choice to preserve the sanctity of her space.
These stories reflect the heart of the homestay experience in Makana—personal, values-driven, and deeply rooted in care for family, guests, and community.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to Professor Tshidi and the Centre for Entrepreneurship, the training has opened doors for homestay operators—not just to improve their businesses, but also to gain confidence, access resources, and be recognised as key players in Makhanda’s local economy.
With plans to conduct more training sessions especially in digital space and continued mentorship, this initiative sets a strong foundation for sustainable growth. And as Professor Tshidi’s sessions showed, when entrepreneurs are given space to reflect
