Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi: Empowering Township Tourism through the Makana Homestay Experie
Sunday, 30th March 2025
At the 2024 EC Homestay Awards held in Port St. Johns, Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi were proudly recognized for their outstanding contributions to local tourism. Both women, along with others, are now part of the Makana Homestay Experience project, which has provided them with invaluable training, marketing, and business support.
Linda Mtse, who earned 3rd place in The Best Service Category for her exceptional organization as the Most Organized Homestay, shared her gratitude: “I feel humbled, honoured, grateful, positive, and motivated. I’m thankful to the Lord Almighty, my Ancestors, my family—especially my children and my partner. But most of all, I want to thank my clients—those who’ve experienced my services, nominated me, and motivated me along this journey.”
Linda acknowledged the challenges faced by township homestay businesses, where many tourists are initially hesitant to book in these areas. However, she sees this recognition as a pivotal moment:
“Now, I believe this will change people’s perspectives about businesses in township tourism. Being recognized provincially by the ECPTA will elevate my establishment. It will increase visibility, marketing, and interest, ultimately helping my business grow.”
Linda, a Makhanda native, began her homestay journey in 2019 due to unemployment, drawing on her background in hospitality. She never expected that just a few years later, she would be an award-winning host.
Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi, another celebrated winner, expressed her pride and excitement:
“Winning this award feels like a dream come true. It’s been a long journey, and seeing our hard work pay off is deeply rewarding. Our homestay has always been about offering authentic cultural experiences, and this recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar.”
Faith also expressed her gratitude to the organizers, her guests, and her dedicated team, emphasizing the significance of the award for both herself and the wider community.
Both Linda and Faith are part of the Makana Homestay Experience, a project that provides local hosts with the resources they need to succeed, from training and marketing to business support. They believe that their recognition at the Homestay Awards will further promote and uplift township tourism and beyond, bringing much-needed visibility and growth to their businesses.
The EC Homestay Awards celebrate women like Linda Mtse and Faith Mtyinda-Ngandi, who are champions of authentic cultural experiences. Through the Makana Homestay Experience, they continue to offer visitors a unique window into the rich Xhosa heritage, helping to ensure that local tourism thrives for years to come.
