Cape Town Tourism's BDF to benefit three SMEs

1 Apr 2016

Beneficiaries for the Cape Town Tourism's Board Development Fund (BDF) for 2016 was announced at a special event held for the finalist where they were awarded the R50k cash and R200k in support. Thebe Tourism boosted the BDF by providing an additional sponsorship opportunity for a third beneficiary.

The Board Development Fund beneficiaries for 2016 are:

Turning Point B&B, Marinda Park, Kuils River

Image via Turning Point B&B

Owner-managed by husband and wife team, Doris and Isaac Manini, is a four-bedroomed Bed and Breakfast that started operating in 2012 and focusses on leisure and business travel. They’re passionate about service and making sure that the visitor experience is unforgettable. They want to grow their business to Guest House status and obtain star grading from the Tourism Grading Council of SA. Doris specialises in African cuisine.

Maboneng Township Arts Experience

Image via 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. The experience for visitors is an authentic and empowering encounter. The focus in Cape Town and surrounds is in the areas of Langa, Gugulethu and Kayamandi and one of the key aims is to develop a new and diverse audience and platform for arts and culture in Cape Town.

Lungi’s Homestay and B&B, Khayelitsha

Image via Lungi's

This “shack chic” Bed and Breakfast is owner-managed by Lungi Sotyingwa-Pango, supported by partners Anika Bloks and Marijke Frijters. This is a story of triumph over hardship: Lungi’s started operating in 2010 but suffered a devastating fire in 2014 and was forced to close its doors. Sheer determination on the part of these ladies saw the doors opening again in September 2015. The new building is bigger with the bright, colourful décor that has become Lungi’s trademark. Focussing on international guests who want a cultural experience. Lungi’s also offers walking tours in the community.

The Fund

The Board Development Fund, established in 2014, is run by the Board at Cape Town Tourism. The programme is intended to assist historically disadvantaged individuals (HDI’s) and SMMEs with support to encourage skills transfers, partnership, enterprise and supplier development and marketing opportunities to grow their existing SMME business.

Key programme highlights:

• Networking with board and industry stakeholders
• Business skills coaching
• Training opportunities
• Media hostings (request driven)
• Showcase at WTM Africa

“Our collective experience – some of us have been in tourism for decades – is valuable. It may not feel like it, but we have learned through experience, trial and error, and this we can put to good use by offering wisdom, insights and tips to SMEs seeking to make it in this competitive environment.” - Cape Town Tourism chairperson Enver Mally

“The BDF is something we feel should inspire other bigger companies in the sector to invest in this and other similar initiatives to support small businesses. In SA, the SME market is where our growth will come from and we cannot rely solely on government for funding and support.” - Brett Hendricks, Thebe Tourism

“Every year since the inception of the BDF we have been privileged in being able to participate in empowering innovative SMEs in a way that has added value to the industry, and these latest three beneficiaries offer the sector something special.” Enver Duminy, CEO, Cape Town Tourism