A popular Mdantsane tourist hotspot received a much-needed boost after bagging an award at the Lilizela Tourism Awards in Johannesburg at the weekend.
Mthombo Nkula, owner of Mthombo’s Palace at NU7, scooped the national Emerging Entrepreneur Award after previously winning the provincial award in the same category in September.
His luxury lounge has attracted and hosted tourists, musicians and high-profile personalities such as the ANC’s parliamentary chief whip Jackson Mthembu and EFF chairman Dali Mpofu.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch shortly after touching down at East London Airport, Nkula said he was honoured to have come out tops in a category that had nine finalists.
“I cannot put into words the joy I had as I represented Mdantsane, emerging entrepreneurs and the Eastern Cape. The competition was tight as there were nine of us and I was the only one from the Eastern Cape,” he said.
When Nkula started his business on October 24 in 2015, he created jobs for six unemployed youths.
That number has since ballooned as he now has 15 permanent staff, 20 casual employees, and five qualified chefs working for him.
“It has not been an easy road for me. When I started this business I had no financial support and I had four kids to support,” he said.
Nkula’s aspiration for his business is to match the standard of prominent establishments such as Eyadini Lounge in Durban.
“Mdantsane must not only be known as the second biggest township but it must also bring businesses and wealth to its people.”
Mthobo’s Palace is a four-star lounge, which Nkula hopes to turn in into a five-star establishment.
The luxurious lounge has a swimming pool and a coffee shop for non-drinkers, and there is also a conference venue.
“The most exciting thing is knowing that I’m putting our township on the map once again,” he said.
After battling to find a job in teaching for years, Nkula decided to venture into the tourism industry.
First he owned a tavern in Gompo township in Ziphunzana, which was later closed as he did not have a liquor licence.
He then established Mthombo’s Palace, which now accommodates tourists from all over the world.
Mthombo’s Palace has also opened doors for local artists who sometimes perform at the establishment, and as a result, have been offered corporate gigs.
“This kind of exposure will also bring job opportunities to the township,” Nkula said. — zikhonam@
dispatch.co.za
NU7 lounge bags national accolade
Mthombo Nkula, owner of Mthombo’s Palace at NU7, scooped the national Emerging Entrepreneur Award after previously winning the provincial award in the same category in September.
His luxury lounge has attracted and hosted tourists, musicians and high-profile personalities such as the ANC’s parliamentary chief whip Jackson Mthembu and EFF chairman Dali Mpofu.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch shortly after touching down at East London Airport, Nkula said he was honoured to have come out tops in a category that had nine finalists.
“I cannot put into words the joy I had as I represented Mdantsane, emerging entrepreneurs and the Eastern Cape. The competition was tight as there were nine of us and I was the only one from the Eastern Cape,” he said.
When Nkula started his business on October 24 in 2015, he created jobs for six unemployed youths.
That number has since ballooned as he now has 15 permanent staff, 20 casual employees, and five qualified chefs working for him.
“It has not been an easy road for me. When I started this business I had no financial support and I had four kids to support,” he said.
Nkula’s aspiration for his business is to match the standard of prominent establishments such as Eyadini Lounge in Durban.
“Mdantsane must not only be known as the second biggest township but it must also bring businesses and wealth to its people.”
Mthobo’s Palace is a four-star lounge, which Nkula hopes to turn in into a five-star establishment.
The luxurious lounge has a swimming pool and a coffee shop for non-drinkers, and there is also a conference venue.
“The most exciting thing is knowing that I’m putting our township on the map once again,” he said.
After battling to find a job in teaching for years, Nkula decided to venture into the tourism industry.
First he owned a tavern in Gompo township in Ziphunzana, which was later closed as he did not have a liquor licence.
He then established Mthombo’s Palace, which now accommodates tourists from all over the world.
Mthombo’s Palace has also opened doors for local artists who sometimes perform at the establishment, and as a result, have been offered corporate gigs.
“This kind of exposure will also bring job opportunities to the township,” Nkula said. — zikhonam@
dispatch.co.za
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