SATSA’s Access, Inclusivity and Diversity (AID) Committee –  under the guidance of the SATSA Eastern Cape Chapter Chair, Mandisa Magwaxaza – has joined forces with a member association in the Eastern Cape to pioneer a Proof of Concept (PoC) that it hopes will become a blueprint for sustainable transformation of ownership within tourism.

“We are heeding the Tourism Minister’s call to transform by working towards a blueprint that will foster sustainable business development, investment in people and benefit the immediate community through the creation of various income streams that are complementary to, but not solely dependent on tourism,” said SATSA CEO, David Frost.

“I am so proud to work with SATSA members who see and believe in the need for the South African tourism industry to evolve and become more representative of the country’s diversity throughout its ranks and roles,” he added.

Speaking to Tourism Update recently, South African Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, reiterated the importance of transformation in the tourism sector to diversify the current product and service offering in the country.

“The government’s transformation agenda is not about taking from Peter to help Thabo, it is about creating opportunities to allow new entrants into the market and give tourists a broader scope of choice,” he said.

How will the PoC work?

For this PoC, the SATSA AID Committee is facilitating the invitation to potential equity shareholders on behalf of a SATSA member that has expressed a desire to see his business partner with young, black and female ‘tourismpreneurs’ and hospitality professionals and invest in them through mentorship and coaching to enable them to have the best chances of succeeding as the new co-owners and operators of the establishment.

The SATSA AID Committee will facilitate this process and provide support and training through the TEF (Tourism Equity Fund) application and transition of the business. The PoC is being managed in collaboration with various private and public agencies who will be playing their own roles to ensure its success.

Potential equity partners are being invited to buy shares in a SATSA member’s 44-room establishment in the Eastern Cape. The hotel is located in a rural setting surrounded by adventure activities, mountains and the ocean.

The current owner is looking for equity partners that can add value to the growth of the business as well as the destination. He is committed to staying on in an overseeing capacity and also train and coach his new business partners.