Liziwe has also managed to establish a restaurant attached to her guest house in which both the local and international market can savour the delights of traditional African cuisine.
REVIEW
"One day about a year ago I was travelling on a train abroad and came across a small article written about a couple who had built a B & B in the heart of a township/shanty town in Cape Town called Guguletu.
Since my wife has become accustomed to staying in five star hotels and I want to keep her on her toes, I decided as a surprise to book into the B & B for a night while we visited Cape Town in March of this year!
The stay turned out to be not just the highlight of our holiday but one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life. Liziwe used to work as a tea lady and her husband Donald worked in the Sappi paper factory in Cape Town. One day he noticed that they were knocking down some of the surrounding walls to expand the factory and approached the owner of the business to see if he could use the bricks.
The owner said he could have them if he could take them away. Donald found an old plot of land in Guguletu they were using as a rubbish dump. They bought the land and paid it off each month. They lived in a tin shack in the corner of the plot while he dreamed of building a house.
Donald spent months carting the bricks back to the plot. Every night he would clean the bricks, brick by brick. There were 50,000 bricks and it took him two years to finish cleaning the bricks. By that time his hands were raw. He taught himself how to build and began to build the house. After three years it was finally ready and Liziwe and Donald opened their small guesthouse. Liziwe taught herself how to use the internet and sought help on how to produce brochures. Soon they added on extra rooms and are now running a very successful business.
I have stayed in fancy hotels and B & B's all over the world, but I can't recall ever having experienced the warmth and hospitality anywhere that we experienced in our short stay at Liziwe's. We were welcomed with big African hugs and lots of smiles as if we were long lost friends.
I have met many inspiring people on my travels. Liziwe and Donald are right up there with any of them. They had a dream and kept working towards it. They did not let anything get in the way of that dream. They were dedicated and determined to make it work. They are a wonderful symbol of the African spirit and what is possible if you put your mind to it. More importantly, they inspire others in the community. Other people have now opened B & B's in the townships and Liziwe has started an association for B and B operators in the area. She involves the surrounding community by employing local entertainers to perform at the restaurant. She ensures that everyone who opens their home on the walking ‘township' tours they offer benefits financially. She has the support of all the surrounding community to ensure that guests have a safe and happy stay, as it is in their best interests.
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. I would encourage all of you who are considering a trip to Cape Town, or even those living within Cape Town, to visit Liziwe's guest house. It is fantastic value for money and great fun. Plus you may benefit from a powerful and inspiring message of hope, courage and ingenuity
Love
David
David Becker Head of Legal International Cricket Council
