Nelly Dhlamini wa Tsolo

Women in Tourism

Nominee's Province:
Limpopo

Project Name/Description:
Guesthouse owner

More info:

While a guest at Bosveld Guest house in Lephalale, Limpopo, Nelly Dhlamini wa Tsolo 44, got so smitten with the place, she started imagining herself as the new owner. “I picked up some areas that needed improvement and then made an offer to the owner to manage the place for him,” she explains. “He sold to someone else while I was still a tenant, but I still asked them (new owners) to consider me should they ever think about selling the business.” About four years later an opportunity presented itself, and she put an offer and it was accepted. This mechanical engineering graduate went on to manage the guest house, which was 100% bonded. Clearly a very strong work ethic was required to make sure expenses were kept low while the business income was still stabilising. The establishment went on to attract high-profile personalities and a few state presidents. “We catered for four African presidents including two from South Africa,” she beams with excitement. Dhlamini wa Tsholo is a Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association committee member and an incoming public relations officer for the organisation. She is also the chairperson of the newly formed Lephalale Local Tourism Association. “When I started as a business owner in the sector I was only thinking ‘accommodation’, and then catering happened. Now we are in the shuttle service as well, transporting our guests,” she humbly brags.