City of hidden treasures

NELSON Mandela Bay is often known as the friendly city or even the windy city, but the Bay can now add another epithet as the city of hidden treasures – being honoured with no less than nine hidden treasures by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP).

South African Hidden Treasures is one of the most innovative and far-reaching local tourism initiatives. Identified and developed by TEP, it consists of unique crafts and tourism experiences that provide visitors with an authentic taste of South Africa's rich and varied history and culture.

“Hidden Treasures offer visitors encounters that are out of the ordinary. Key to the experiences are the people, the entrepreneurs, who have followed a dream, or pursued a talent often against incredible odds, to emerge as successful business owners with something unique and truly South African to share. Our friendly city offers this in abundance,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) Marketing manager, Titus Chuene.

Alubahc Guest house, Calabash Tours, Ezethu Tours, IBhayi Lodge,  Jeya’s Jazz Corner, Manor 38 Guest Lodge, Old Austria restaurant, Red Location Museum and Singa Lodge make up the nine Hidden Treasures of the bay, conquering the tourism industry and paving the way for other small, medium and micro enterprises.

South African Hidden Treasures Experience add that 'special something' – often a personal experience - to any itinerary, and creates a unique and memorable encounter that is world-class, yet unmistakably South African.

These treasures all contribute to tourism in their own  way, some as accommodation or craft and others as tour guides or restaurants. The essential element is that they offer experiences which add a distinctive and authentic flavour to any tourism itinerary.

Old Austria co-owner, Peter Raymer, said it is a great honour being recognised as a hidden treasure and believes hard work and dedication always pays off in the end, “Have faith in yourself, be driven, hard working and always go an extra mile – it will pay off.”

TEP wants South Africans to discover the wealth of people, places and experiences they are surrounded by.  More importantly, TEP wants the world to come and stay with South African Hidden Treasures™, hear their stories, enjoy their food, and listen to their music - to get to the heart and soul of what makes this country so special.

Calabash Tours is owned and operated by Paul and Thandi Meidema, supported by a young, dynamic team,  who share a vision of tourism being a powerful development tool.  Their tours cater for tourists who wanted to experience true urban Africa by visiting the townships and meeting the locals and are currently the only  township tours accredited by Fair Trade Tourism South Africa therefore guaranteeing a  real, authentic, and ethical experience.  According to this dynamic team their success can be contributed to the fact that communities benefit at all times, are involved in decision making and are therefore more than happy to welcome the tours into their communities.

Another treasure is the Red location Museum, one of a few township-based  museums in South Africa, situated in New Brighton, one of the oldest settled black townships in Nelson Mandela Bay.  The museum rises out of the ashes of Red Location where the first Umkhonto we Sizwe branch in South Africa was established and also where the first Defiance Campaign arrests were made. Unconventionally stark but spacious, the Red Location Museum incorporates the corrugated iron theme of informal settlement living to include a series of memory boxes consisting of twelve lofty free-standing galleries which house a diversity of photographic and art exhibitions.

Sithembiso Foster, who owns the Ezethu tours with his wife Nontuthuzelo, said the key is to have a good marketing strategy in place for your small business, “Always respond to customer needs and learn from their dissatisfaction /complaints. This is the best advice you can get - always go an extra mile to understand your target market and always evaluate the feedback you receive from your customers.”



“Exposing this undiscovered element of South Africa brings these products into the mainstream of tourism. This results in income-generating opportunities and sustainable job creation, and equips small tourism businesses to take full advantage of business opportunities,” added Chuene.