It’s a long, long story about determination and pride, courage and the fullfillment of a dream. It’s about the real life in a township, ingenuity and innovation, harsh truth and struggle …… But this story must be told by Donald Qubeka and his wife Liziwe Ngcokoto of Liziwe’s Guesthouse in Guguletha near Cape Town.
In short: while living in a shack on their own plot they chipped 40,000 bricks of a demolished building and build their own guesthouse barehanded.
The couple educates their guests about the real life in South Africa; away from the mainstream, taking them for a stroll in their township, meet other local people and talk timelessy about their life.
No bank loans, no state finance, no subsidies; Liziwe’s Guesthouse is one of South Africa’s hopes in uncertain times. And the initiative has a positive spin off within Guguletha. Local ladies cook meals for guests and musicians entertain the guests. Their succes is thus shared with the community.
Their township tours are not what they call in Soweto ‘zoo tours’ with tourists in sealed buses where they speed past the shacks keeping at a distance from the reality of every day life. Liziwe and Donald take their guests on a little walk around and really meet and chat with local people.
In one of the testimonials David Becker, head of Legal International Cricket Council, states: “ ……..The stay turned out to be not just the highlight of our holiday but one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life. ….. What was meant to be an unusual excursion turned into an unforgettable life experience. What was tragic is that in the three years the B&B has been open I was only the 2nd South African who had stayed there! This blew me away. …. It is fantastic value for money and great fun. Plus you may benefit from a powerful and inspiring message of hope…” .
Posted by Life is aMAZing » Blog Archive » South Africa’s hope in uncertain times on May 29, 2009 at 12:34 pm
[...] A heartbreaking story which you have to hear from the people involved. Once you meet them, your heart breaks. Without state- or bank finance and without subsidies Donals and Liziwe chipped barehanded 40,000 bricks and build their own guesthouse in Guguletha near Cape Town. In the past year only a few South Africans made use of this very affordable and cosy accommodation. It’s a real township experience and not a ‘zoo tour’. [...]