Travel Archives

EDEN FLOWERS: Growing a business, creating opportunities, delivering excellence

12Feb

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Travel

EDEN FLOWERS: Growing a business, creating opportunities, delivering excellence

By Sitha Maliwa: Eden Flowers owner and managing director Mmaphuthi Makokwe (centre) with the team, Ayanda Khuphari, florist; Nicolas Jabane, general assistant; Lungile Madonsela, florist; and Lesedi Kgosieareng, trainee florist (Image supplied) This Valentine’s Day, Sun City Resort will once again be transformed by the work of Eden Flowers. From the Sun City Hotel, Cascades and Cabanas to The Palace of the Lost City, hotel lobbies, restaurants and event spaces will be brought to life with carefully designed floral displays that reflect both romance and refinement. But behind the elegant arrangements is a business story rooted in determination, discipline and community impact. Eden Flowers is led by owner and managing director Mmaphuthi Makokwe, a black woman entrep...

THINK LOCAL: Makume urges Free State to turn tourism into economic power

7Nov

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Travel

THINK LOCAL: Makume urges Free State to turn tourism into economic power

By Boitumelo Shuping: Visitors enjoy a scenic boat cruise at Gariep Dam, one of the activities available to tourists exploring the Free State’s largest water attraction. The Free State’s 2025 summer tourism campaign was launched on Thursday, 6 November, at the Gariep Dam Forever Resort, where MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ketso Makume, urged residents to “think local” and support domestic travel as a way to strengthen the provincial economy. Makume did not only speak about leisure. His message carried a challenge, saying the province’s economic revival depends on how locals value and invest in their own attractions. Gariep Dam - a tourist gem on its own Gariep Dam, one of Africa’s largest reservoirs, provided a f...

A STAR REBORN: Sun City Hotel’s glorious comeback

6Oct

By News SANo Comments

Travel

A STAR REBORN: Sun City Hotel’s glorious comeback

By Sitha Maliwa: For nearly half a century, she reigned supreme. A beacon of glamour, decadence, and possibility. From the moment the Sun City Hotel first opened its doors in 1979, she became more than just a destination - she was a legend. But as time wore on, the shine began to fade. Now, in a spectacular act of reinvention, the grand dame of African hospitality is reborn - and she’s ready to dazzle all over again. After 46 years at the heart of South Africa’s leisure and entertainment scene, the Sun City Hotel has undergone a comprehensive, jaw-dropping transformation - not just a facelift, but a full return to its former glory. “From the day that Sun City Hotel first opened its doors, South Africans have streamed through them, all caught up in the magic ...

TRAILBLAZER IN TRAVEL: How Lisa Sebogodi is opening doors and changing the way we explore

15Aug

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Travel

TRAILBLAZER IN TRAVEL: How Lisa Sebogodi is opening doors and changing the way we explore

By Sitha Maliwa: In South Africa’s bustling travel and tourism sector, Lisa Sebogodi stands out not only for her two decades of industry expertise but also for her unwavering commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and smart, intentional travel. As the Director of Batsumi Travel, a multi-award-winning agency, Lisa has carved out a niche in township tourism - transforming it from an overlooked sector into a vibrant space of economic opportunity. From business success to community impact Batsumi Travel is well known for delivering seamless corporate and leisure travel, events, and transport solutions nationwide. But what makes Lisa’s work remarkable is her people-first approach. Through the Township Tourism Development initiative, she connects high school learners ...

FROM CORNER STORE TO COASTLINE: Township families finally get a taste of resort life

29Jul

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Travel

FROM CORNER STORE TO COASTLINE: Township families finally get a taste of resort life

By Sitha Maliwa: For generations, resort holidays and hotel stays in South Africa have been whispered dreams in township households - fantasies reserved for the rich and unreachable. Luxury destinations? Not for the people of Soweto, Alexandra, or Katlehong. Until now. A groundbreaking travel pilot is erupting in the very heart of South Africa’s townships - flipping the narrative, smashing down barriers, and boldly declaring: you deserve this too. Launched by Dream Hotels & Resorts in partnership with TUU Post, a township tech franchise that transforms everyday local stores into digital service powerhouses, the initiative is rewriting the rules of who gets to travel - and how. From just five TUU Post stores - three in Soweto, one in Alexandra and one in...

Hotels Embrace Sustainability to Curb Carbon Emissions

4Jul

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Travel

Hotels Embrace Sustainability to Curb Carbon Emissions

By Zenoyise John: The global hospitality industry is making significant strides to cut its environmental footprint, with hotels worldwide increasingly prioritising sustainability. Out of the estimated 36.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide released globally in 2021, hotels contributed around 363 million tons. In response, 85% of hotels have adopted energy-efficient technologies, while 78% have introduced advanced waste-reduction programmes and 72% are implementing water-saving measures. “Sustainability goes far beyond good PR; it’s about future-proofing our business. The climate crisis has underscored the importance of making smart, responsible choices. Like many others in the industry, we’re seeing firsthand how prioritising people, the planet, and profits leads...

AFRICA DANCES: Sun City becomes the stage for a battle of the giants

27Jun

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Travel

AFRICA DANCES: Sun City becomes the stage for a battle of the giants

By Sitha Maliwa : Deep in the rugged heart of Africa, where the ancient Pilanesberg mountains stand as silent witnesses, a seismic cultural moment is about to unfold. For the first time in history, the International Dance Organisation (IDO) and the South African Body of Dance (SABOD) will bring the world’s greatest dancers together on African soil, turning the legendary Sun City into a crucible of passion, rhythm, and artistry. From 30 June to 3 July 2025, the iconic Superbowl — a venue that has hosted superstars and spectacles - will thrum with the beat of more than 360 dancers from 41 dance schools across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Hungary, and beyond. They are not just dancing. They are waging a war of art, a battle of giants, a celebration of the human sp...

SERVING UP WELLNESS: Hotels bet on happy staff

27Jun

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Travel

SERVING UP WELLNESS: Hotels bet on happy staff

By Sitha Maliwa: Africa’s hospitality industry, projected to be worth more than R20 billion by 2025, is undergoing a quiet but powerful revolution, one rooted in employee wellness. Traditionally known for high-pressure environments and relentless hours, the sector is now recognising that investing in staff mental health is both an ethical imperative and a practical business strategy. Global research has laid bare the challenge. Reports show that 60% of hospitality staff have experienced mental health struggles in the past year alone, and 76% have faced such issues over the course of their careers. But forward-thinking hotel brands like Dream Hotels are reframing these statistics as opportunities for genuine transformation. The industry’s demanding nature — from...

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE: Proudly SA’s new platforms champion local markets

25Jun

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Travel

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE: Proudly SA’s new platforms champion local markets

By Sitha Maliwa: In a bold move to revitalise South Africa’s local industries and stimulate economic growth, Proudly South African, in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), has unveiled two innovative e-commerce platforms designed to connect buyers directly with locally made goods and services. Travelers, ethical consumers, and industry professionals alike will soon benefit from Shop Proudly SA, a new business-to-consumer (B2C) online store that allows shoppers to browse and purchase exclusively South African products. From fashion and food to home décor and artisanal crafts, the platform is a celebration of South African creativity, craftsmanship, and community. For those in corporate procurement and hospitality supply cha...

DERBY DELIVERS R477 MILLION FOR DURBAN: A city transformed by the beautiful game

16May

By News SANo Comments

Travel

DERBY DELIVERS R477 MILLION FOR DURBAN: A city transformed by the beautiful game

By Sitha Maliwa: Under the roar of vuvuzelas, the pulse of chanting fans, and the flashing lights of a packed stadium, Durban became more than just a city on the coast - it became a stage for glory, unity, and economic triumph. The 2025 Nedbank Soccer Cup Final Soweto Derby was no ordinary match. It was a clash of giants, a national celebration, and, for Durban, a financial jackpot. As the final whistle blew, the drama off the field was only just beginning. The numbers told a story of their own. “Proud to have hosted such a mega sporting event - something talking to our sports tourism strategy, because soccer brings people together and a huge number of visitors,” sa...