TMACC is committed to ensuring access for all to our own New 7 Wonder of Nature, we have various initiatives on the go, our Class in the Clouds programme sees hundreds of children enjoying lessons on top of the mountain, whilst every South African celebrating their birthday has a full month to redeem the free birthday ticket. In 2021 some 30 000 free birthday tickets were issued. TMACC also supports NGO and NPO such as Solomon’s Haven, Child Witness Centre & Reach For A Dream, which are some of the entities who have benefited from free or discounted tickets.

In addition, TMACC has devised a very specific programme with its implementation partner SIYAKA to drive an Enterprise Development programme that kills two birds with one stone; It helps grow and nurture young enterprises and enables access for locals.

One local business in partnership with the Cableway is Ngena eKasi Township Tours, the brainchild of Thandisizwe Dano. The company provides tailored group tours to local and international visitors in and around the Western Cape.

Ngena eKasi Township Tours relationship with the Cableway started in December 2018, as part of the Cableway’s Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) programme.

We caught up with Thandisizwe Dano, also known as Zozo, to find out more about the partnership and how it has blossomed over the years.

Please introduce your business, and what you do for tourists, and particularly locals?

“Ngena eKasi Township Tours is a level 1 B-BBEE Exempted Micro Enterprise specialising in offering guided tours to local and international clients, including group trips to the Cape Winelands and the inner city (including Table Mountain), as well as township and school tours.

“We expose our clients to a variety of destinations, depending on what they’re interested in. Tours can range from being a guest in our township and walking its streets to enjoying a local meal. Sometimes, we take our clients to explore the enchanting and vast expanse of the Cape Winelands against the backdrop of sloping green mountains and startling blue skies.

“Through our partnership with the Cableway, we help locals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds discover Table Mountain by offering them discounted group packages for the cable car.

“These tickets include transportation to and from Table Mountain and so far have helped many locals access the mountain, some for the very first time in their lives, despite having lived in the province for more than three decades.”

Please share your experience of the ESD programme and how it has assisted your business?

“Since I joined the ESD programme in 2018, I’ve seen growth within my company and lots of potential for the future. It has equipped us with different management approaches that enable us to come up with new and varying business strategies.

“The ESD programme has assisted us with resources and skills that have granted our business access to participation in the country’s economy. These include support and coaching, business plan development and proposal writing, assistance with the completion of a Tourism Equity Fund application and work process flow for tours to Table Mountain.

“Additionally, we’ve also benefited from the ESD programme through basic financial training on how to record income and expenses, and create financial reports, as well as drafting permanent and contract staff contracts and operating manuals.”

Would you recommend the ESD programme to other small businesses?

“Yes, I would highly recommend the ESD programme to other small businesses, considering the difference it has made to my own business. Its resources and skills really help with business growth.

“With the high unemployment rate in South Africa, many people with no formal training have resorted to opening and running small businesses. The training offered by the ESD programme plays a crucial role in assisting such entrepreneurs to at least have the fundamental basics of starting and managing a small business.”

What do you value the most about the relationship you have with the Cableway?

“Its openness, respect and vision to help me and my business grow. The Cableway is a passionate partner that has shown this by uplifting struggling black-owned businesses in tourism – an industry where it is hard to get recognition and empowerment from those who have the power to do so.

“I am forever grateful to its leaders and staff, with whom I’m continually in contact. Over the years, we have built mutually respectful relationships – they are professional and continue to support their vision of empowering us.”

What projects are you currently working on?

Explore Cape Town

“In November last year, I started the Explore Cape Town initiative, which basically focuses on attracting visitors from outside Cape Town to visit the Mother City.

“The package costs R5 900, all-inclusive, except for travelling arrangements to Cape Town. It includes a two-night stay in a guesthouse or hotel, transport for the duration of the trip and a visit to the “big five” tourist attractions in the Western Cape.

“We offer city tours, visits to the Camps Bay beachfront, a boat cruise, lunch at a tshisa nyama [township barbeque] or dinner at an African restaurant (Marco’s African Place in the Bo-Kaap) and wine tasting or a visit to a strawberry farm.

“We have so far hosted a few couples and have received a number of enquiries for the upcoming 2022 Easter holidays.”

City Sightseeing Cape Town

“We have also partnered with City Sightseeing Cape Town to become one of its trusted tourism agents. The agreement commenced in January 2022.”

Thandisizwe concludes, “Our business was greatly affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic, and we suffered extensive financial losses during 2020 and to date.

“We’re hoping the new partnerships will bring about some much-needed revenue-generating streams so that our business can grow in leaps and bounds in the near future.”