Kwa Stuur Homestay: Breathing life to rural tourism and community upliftment

Driven by a strong passion for using tourism as a catalyst for economic growth in her rural community, a young Eastern Cape woman, Phumeza Stuurman, opened her home to visitors, thus creating the KwaStuur Homestay experience.

Nestled in the picturesque village of Nxarhuni, just outside East London, KwaStuur Homestay showcases the untapped potential of rural tourism.

Initially, Stuurman wanted to create a comprehensive tourism product featuring an adventure park, backpackers' accommodation, and a restaurant.

"We have beautiful landscapes, culture and heritage that we can share with the world. That was how I thought of rural tourism as a way to make Nxarhuni a tourism destination so that it would be economically vibrant," she says, reflecting on her inspiration.

When securing funding for the ambitious project proved unsuccessful, a new opportunity emerged. She was invited to join a group of women in Mdantsane, a township across her village, who were opening their homes as part of a homestay initiative.

"I thought, let me join the ladies and start small. I also saw it as an opportunity to learn the ropes in the tourism industry".

And so, KwaStuur Homestay – an establishment that can accommodate 12 people - was born. Today, the establishment not only provides direct employment to those working at the homestay but also generates economic impact across the entire value chain.

"For example, if a guest is interested in experiencing day-to-day living in a village, a local tour guide will take them through that. If guests want to go to the beach, a tour guide and a local with a taxi will drive them. There are also some traditional dishes that we can order for the guests from locals who specialise in those specific dishes."

Although KwaStuur Homestay is not officially graded yet, it has completed the Basic Quality Verification (BQV), a Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) programme.

The two-year BQV programme provides a structured developmental approach assisting establishments in VTSD through assessments and further supports them through the incubation programme in meeting grading criteria. It provides participants with training, resources, and funding opportunities to help them achieve TGCSA grading.

This year, KwaStuur Homestay is participating in the Eastern Cape Homestay Incubation Programme run by the National Department of Tourism in collaboration with TGCSA. Stuurman says this programme will assist her homestay in getting graded as a B&B or Guest House.

"Being graded will boost the confidence of the target audience to book with us, as they will know that there are certain standards we have met. That will result in our main goal of being a profitable and sustainable business to be achieved, meaning we create more sustainable jobs and support other tourism products like crafters, cultural dancers, tour guides, etc," she says.

KwaStuur Homestay attracts a diverse range of visitors, with most of them being domestic travellers attending local events such as weddings and funerals.

However, it also serves as an ideal retreat for leisure tourists seeking to immerse themselves in the area's natural beauty and local culture. The picturesque landscapes, characterised by rolling hills, a river meandering through the village, and its proximity to a game reserve, make it a tranquil escape.

The homestay offers guests an authentic glimpse into rural South African life, including traditional meals. "On request, guest can get a hands-on experience on how their meal was made, from fetching firewood, making dough, picking veggies from the garden, preparing fire to cook," explains Stuurman.

Conveniently located near major routes like the N6 and N2, KwaStuur is easily accessible. Stuurman has even bigger dreams for KwaStuur Homestay as she sets her sights on voluntourism - a concept that combines travel with meaningful volunteer work.

She aims to attract guests who are about 'travelling with a purpose' and 'travelling to make an impact". "These are the individuals or groups who will visit us through volunteer programmes, helping to uplift the village while experiencing its culture."

ENDS