Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi: Homestay Awards Winners
Friday, 27th September 2024
Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi were among the proud winners at the EC Homestay Awards on 16 September 2024 in Port St. Johns. Both were recognized for their outstanding contributions to township tourism, and they shared their thoughts on winning.
Linda Mtse, who won 3rd place in The Best Service Category for being recognized as the Most Organized Homestay, expressed her gratitude: “I feel humbled, honoured, grateful, positive, and motivated. I'm thankful to the Lord Almighty and my Ancestors, as well as my entire family, especially my children and my partner. But more so, I want to thank my clients—those who have experienced my services, nominated, and motivated me along this journey."
Linda acknowledged the challenges faced by many township homestay businesses, with tourists often hesitant to book accommodation in such areas. However, she sees this recognition as a turning point:
"Now, I believe this will change people's perspectives about businesses in the township tourism space. Being recognized provincially by the ECPTA will elevate my establishment. People will now be more assured of its status. I believe this recognition will lead to more visibility, marketing, and interest from clients eager to explore and experience the environment, ultimately helping grow the business."
Linda Mtse, born and raised in Makhanda, began her homestay journey in 2019 due to unemployment. With her background in hospitality, she decided to pursue what she loved. She never imagined that just a few years later, she would be an award-winning host.
Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi, another celebrated winner, shared a similar sense of pride and gratitude:
"Winning this award feels like a dream come true. It's been a long journey, and to see our hard work pay off in this way is deeply rewarding. Our homestay has always been about offering authentic cultural experiences to visitors, and this recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar."
Faith also thanked the organizers, her guests, and her dedicated team, emphasizing how much this achievement means not only to her but to the wider community.
Both Linda and Faith are passionate about the impact of their work, believing their recognition at the Homestay Awards will further promote and uplift township tourism, bringing much-needed visibility and growth to their businesses. Their words echoed the same sentiment: these awards are just the beginning of greater things to come.
The EC Homestay Awards aim to recognise and encourage "these magic mamas"—women like Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi—who continue to champion authentic cultural experiences. These awards celebrate their contributions to offering visitors a unique window into the rich Xhosa heritage through their homestays.
