Tourism Development Fund beneficiaries adapt in times of COVID-19

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management conducted site visits to three tourism businesses last week to witness firsthand how they have successfully adapted their businesses under lockdown. Alderman Vos was accompanied by Cape Town Tourism (CTT) CEO, Enver Duminy, as well as officials from the Enterprise and Investment Department. Read more below:

The businesses were the 2019 winners of the annual Cape Town Tourism Board Development Fund (BDF), which supports small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism sector. The winning businesses were African Authentic Experience, a tour operator enterprise, Tees and Gees which manufactures, prints and retails T-shirts that promotes Africa in a positive light, and Seven Colours Eatery, a catering company specialising in African-inspired cuisine.

Alderman Vos said that the City has been working closely with Cape Town Tourism (CTT), our official Destination Marketing and Management Organisation, to contain the negative impact of lockdown on the local economy and save the jobs that we have steadily been growing across Cape Town.

‘Our main focus has been on how best to move from crisis into recovery. This has seen us adjust our plans to be ready for a re-imagined tourism landscape and ensure that we are ready to welcome visitors back and assure them that Cape Town is a safe and healthy destination.

‘The CTT Board decided to forfeit their collective board remuneration and to share it with deserving SMMEs in tourism. Worthy recipients are not only given a cash injection for their business, but also receive specialised mentorship and marketing support from the CTT management team. Over the years, as leaders in their own businesses, they have also opened up their extensive tourism networks and resources to further enhance opportunities for growth. Basically, it’s a programme that gives financial support and invaluable access to leaders within the tourism industry for a few select yet innovative SMMEs who demonstrate a clear vision for their business, but who also understand the importance of the ‘hustle’ to make it in business.

‘It is no secret that the tourism industry has been hit the hardest by this pandemic and this is a critical time to support tourism businesses. The owner of African Authentic Experience, Theo Makapela said.  ‘We are doing what we can to keep our business going. We are using the time to do a lot of social work within the communities that we tour. We are educating the people from our community, Khayelitsha, about this Coronavirus, while providing essentials, helping with soup kitchens, and distributing food parcels to those who need it. We are passionate about tourism and have no doubt that we will be able to once again provide our visitors with the bespoke community tours we built our business on,’ said Alderman Vos.

Tees and Gees owner, Mpho Maphai has added masks to their range while also focusing on pop-up stores in various locations to help meet sales targets.  ‘I am grateful to Cape Town Tourism and the City of Cape Town for their ongoing support during this time. This hasn’t been easy for us, but we have realised that being innovative and responsive is key if we want to survive this.’

Nolukhanyo Dube-Cele, the owner of Seven Colours Eatery, a catering company specialising in African-inspired cuisine, planned to invest the funds into marketing her business and had planned to buy more equipment until COVID-19 hit.  ‘I’ve needed to rethink my offering seeing as events are no longer happening. I quickly needed to start trading from home and now I offer a bespoke service of providing cooked meals for dinner which we deliver to our clients’ homes. This still gives me the opportunity to cook the food I love and build my client base in a safe way.’

Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism said: ‘The success of our programme is based on the simple understanding of the challenges of SMMEs and creating a simple platform of giving back with purpose. We only select two or three businesses every year to receive this award. And via a ‘Dragon’s Den’ interview process, we choose and announce winners at our Annual General Meeting. Each winner can receive up to R50 000 in cash and more than R200 000 in non-financial support. Our current and previous board members mentor and provide access to their networks and resources to further aid in uplifting these business owners. This in turn inspires their employees and supports their local communities in the process.’

‘We acknowledge and applaud the Cape Town Tourism board for this positive program, which goes beyond a cash-handout to entrepreneurs but creates lasting value by giving real access to seasoned and successful captains of industry who share their extensive knowledge and resources with these future tourism leaders,’ concluded Alderman Vos.