Monthly Update from the Chair | Susan Marais
Dear TTA Members,
Welcome to May! If you are back in the office after the flurry of public holidays, take a minute to breathe, grab some coffee and then join me in getting back from brunch to business.
While these breaks offered much-needed rest for many, we recognize that they may have posed challenges for some businesses in our sector. With the calendar now settling back into its regular rhythm, we anticipate a return to more consistent operations and opportunities.
This month, I want to emphasize the power of community and the importance of active participation within our association. The strength of the Tshwane Tourism Association lies in our collective engagement and the relationships we build with one another. It’s through networking and collaboration that we can share insights, support each other and grow business in our industry as a result.
We have some exciting events on the horizon that provide perfect platforms for connection and celebration:
Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025: Scheduled for 16 August at Batter Boys Village, this prestigious event will honor excellence in our industry. It’s a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of our peers and to be inspired by the achievements within our community.
Tshwane Tourism Golf Day: A day of friendly competition and networking awaits. Whether you’re an avid golfer or a novice, this event promises fun and the chance to forge new connections.
Tshwane Tourism Association AGM: Another key opportunity to connect is our upcoming AGM. The AGM is not just about governance; it’s a chance to gain valuable insight into the inner workings of the association, hear updates on our strategic direction, and contribute to shaping the future of tourism in Tshwane.
Participation in these events not only enriches our professional lives but also strengthens our tourism community. I encourage each of you to take part, share your experiences and support your fellow members.
Let’s continue to build a vibrant, resilient, and connected tourism industry in Tshwane. Your involvement makes all the difference.
Warm regards,
Susan Marais
Chairperson, Tshwane Tourism Association
Board of the month | Valentino Meirotti
Meet the Mind Behind Famba Famba Tour Design Specialists
In this edition, we shine the spotlight on a passionate entrepreneur and culture guide who turned his love for South Africa into a thriving travel business. From humble beginnings in Musina to winning national tourism awards, he now curates’ unforgettable journeys across the country. Get to know the founder of Famba Famba, his journey, passions, and his favorite hidden gems around Tshwane.
- What is your current role?
I’m the founder and owner of Famba Famba Tour Design Specialists, I look after day-to-day operations as well as occasionally offer some guiding services to my clients
2. Tell us a little bit about your background and experience in the industry and where you come from?
I was born in a small town in Limpopo called Musina, Moved to Tshwane in 2004 and Studied a BPolsci International relations at Tuks I started my company on 11 May 2011 after being asked multiple times about custom travel arrangements to tour South Africa, so i decided to offer it myself instead of always helping friends and family in my spare time that wanted to visit South Africa, I am a qualified Culture guide since 2011, i have freelanced guided for some larger DMC’s and groups up to 30 pax in English and Italian and in 2018 I was voted the National winner in the culture guided category of the Lilizela Toursim awards, now i don’t do guiding as often.
3. Please tell us a little bit about you personally. Your family, what you do in your free time and what you are passionate about.
I’ve been married for 10 years in May 2025, I have two daughters named Sofia and Emilia, I enjoy running with my wife and swimming and CrossFit to clear my mind and keep fit and active. With the family we enjoy going for walks with the dogs or short hikes. I have a passion for South African wine; I’m slowly starting to collect wine and try as many different vineyards as possible. I also have a passion for all things car related, I used to be an advanced driving instructor at zwartkops raceway. but no car collection yet!
- What are your 3 favourite places to visit in and around Tshwane? It can be restaurants, experiences, hotels or any other experience.
I love the Old East Precinct. It’s trendy and vibey, with a mix of retail and restaurants and is very multi-cultural. A place with a view is always great, i love taking clients up to the Union Buildings, Klapperkop viewpoint as well as the top of the Voortrekker Monument where you can see the whole city for different perspectives.
A hidden gem since my varsity days has always been Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, its green, right in the city and very few people visit. It’s great to run, walk or hike and you even get to see some local wildlife, a great place to escape from the city and be in nature.
Supplier of the month | Bring Your Venue to Life with Award-Winning 360º Virtual Tours
Ready to take your venue to the next level? With VPiXSA’s award-winning, cloud-based SaaS platform, you can create stunning, VR-ready virtual experiences that showcase your space like never before.
As a Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA) member, you have access to exclusive services designed to help your business stand out in a competitive tourism market. Whether you run a hotel, restaurant, game reserve, B&B, or any other tourism-related business, we’re here to help you bring your vision to life.
Here’s what they can do for you:
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- Scan detailed floor plans for marketing and planning purposes
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At VPiXSA, they don’t just provide a service, we listen to your needs and deliver tailored solutions that make an impact.
Special Offer Just for TTA Members!
As part of the TTA community, you qualify for special pricing on all our services. It’s our way of helping you stay ahead and grow your business through innovative digital experiences.
Get in touch with us today to learn more and discover how we can help you bring your venue to life.
Celebrate Excellence at the 2025 Tshwane Tourism Awards!
Join Us in Honouring the Best in Tshwane Tourism
This prestigious event aims to celebrate outstanding achievements in tourism, hospitality, and innovation within the City of Tshwane. From exceptional service providers to groundbreaking tourism experiences, we are shining a spotlight on the individuals and organizations driving our city’s tourism forward.
Venue: Batter Boys Village, Montana
Date: 16 August 2025
Time:
Book Your Seat Now:
Secure your place at the most anticipated tourism event of the year. Seats are limited, and early booking is essential.
Reserve Your Seat Here
Enter the Awards:
Do you offer an exceptional tourism experience in Tshwane? Submit your entry today and stand a chance to be recognized for your contribution to the industry.
Enter the Awards
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Gain premium exposure for your brand by partnering with us as a sponsor. From visibility on all marketing platforms to exclusive engagement on the awards night—sponsorship gives you unmatched value.
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Want to Know More?
For categories, judging criteria, and event details:
Click here for more information
Let’s come together to applaud the visionaries, the service champions, and the innovators who keep Tshwane’s tourism thriving. We look forward to celebrating with you!
For more information visit www.tshwanetourism.com
Tshwane Leads the Way: South Africa’s Safest Metro
Welcome to Pretoria, the Safest Metropolitan City in South Africa!
Backed by data from the most recent State of Urban Safety in South Africa report by the South African Cities Network (SACN), Tshwane now holds the distinction of being the safest of South Africa’s nine major metros.
Although any crime incident is one too many, the verified murder rates per 100,000 residents shows that we stand out as the safest metro in South Africa—twice as safe as the next city on the national index and three times safer than some of our country’s most sought after areas. This leadership in Tshwane’s urban safety is measurable, credible and increasingly visible. And we’re not stopping there. Through innitiatives like the Safest Capital Campaign, Pretoria is becoming not only safer, but also smarter, faster and more collaborative in its approach to public safety.
Launched with community at its heart, the Safest Capital Campaign is a multi-stakeholder effort to make Pretoria even safer by connecting 1 million residents and visitors to the CASI Safety App—a digital lifeline linked to over 400 armed response teams across the country. CASI is a mobile product that is used supplementary to existing systems and is there to provide users with an additional mechanism to get help in an emergency.
For just R35 per person per month, the app provides 24/7 emergency response at the tap of a button and nationwide coverage through a centralized command center.
This tech-enabled safety net empowers individuals, protects businesses and supports tourism while reducing strain on public policing systems.
Importantly, the campaign isn’t driven by fear. It’s driven by confidence and reassurance—the belief that we can actively create a city where safety is not a luxury, but a shared standard.
Still, Tshwane’s success isn’t without its challenges. High-contact crime areas remain vulnerable and inclusive safety—especially for underserved communities—requires continued focus.
The Safest Capital Campaign is designed to close these gaps, expanding access to smart safety tools and encouraging citizens to take part in their own protection. As more and more of our members and stakeholders sign up their teams, more areas can benefit from rapid response coverage, building a safety network that scales city-wide.
Pretoria is not just the administrative capital of South Africa—it’s becoming the capital of safety innovation. With your participation we can cement our status not only as the safest metro now, but as a model for urban safety across the continent.
Sign up here: Sign Up or email us at admin@tshwanetourism.com to sign up your team or guests.
From Milk to Masterpiece: Butter and Cheesemaking Masterclass
Dive into the delicious world of dairy with Capital Hotel School’s hands-on Butter and Cheesemaking Masterclass! Learn to craft creamy butter and beginner-friendly cheeses like Mozzarella, Halloumi, and Paneer. Perfect for home cooks ready to elevate their skills!
Capital Hotel School is delighted to present Masterclasses that blend contemporary twists with timeless food preparation techniques.
Register now to wow your friends with your newfound artisanal skills. Stay tuned for updates and be sure to reserve your place in these inspiring culinary adventures!
For more information and bookings, contact our sales team at sales@capitalhotelschool.co.za
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Kwalata Game Lodge!
Looking for the perfect way to spoil Mom this Mother’s Day? Look no further than the Mother’s Day Lunch at Kwalata Game Lodge, taking place on Sunday, 11 May 2025, from 11:00 to 14:00 at the stunning Dinokeng Game Reserve.
This special event is all about celebrating the incredible mothers in our lives with great food, a tranquil setting, and warm hospitality, everything Mom deserves and more!
Enjoy a delectable buffet experience, including:
Starter Buffet
- Biltong Pate on Cucumber Rounds
- Deluxe Build-Your-Own Salad
- Curry Prawn & Peach Salad Penne
- Potato Leek Soup & Breadrolls
Main Buffet
- Apricot Glazed Roast Chicken
- Beef Curry Stew
- Crumbed Hake Fillets with Cherry Tomatoes & White Wine Lemon Cream Sauce
- Herbed Garlic Baby Potatoes, Moroccan Yellow Rice, Broccoli with Sundried Tomatoes, Green Beans with Mushroom & Onion, and Cranberry Butternut
Dessert Table
- Red Velvet Mini Cakes
- Chocolate Pudding with Amarula Custard
- Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce
Rates:
- Adults: R495
- Children under 12: R249
- Children under 2: Free
Venue: Kwalata Game Lodge, Dinokeng Game Reserve
Bookings: +27 (0)10 007 3749 | info@kwalata.co.za
www.kwalata.co.za
Bookings essential
Come and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones, #kwalataXperience style!
Casa Toscana brings the four corners together
There simply isn’t anything that Casa Toscana Lodge in Lynnwood Manor cannot do. The successes keep coming and with the addition of their now highly sought after Gourmet Pop-Up wine evenings, there seems to be no stopping this dynamic hospitality machine. Since starting the wine pairing journey coupled with a world tour of cuisines, their gourmet wine evenings have been selling out each mont. So much so that they have started hosting these bespoke evenings twice a month since April ’25.
The Singing Waiters are undoubtedly one of the biggest drawing cards here. A team of skilled and trained singers who wait tables and entertain guests. What is not not love? Then there is always the almost historic theatre, Die Blou Hond.
Since being brought to Pretoria 14 years ago, the stage has seen the biggest names in SA music performing to an intimate (and very fortunate) crowd of 150 people. What a wonderful way to get up close with your favourite artist, knowing that you’re one of a very small, select few.
The Casa Toscana Lodge 20-room hotel and various conference facilities and spa makes this venue a hustle and bustle spot in the Jacaranda city. There is always something to do, something to see or something to feel at Casa Toscana Lodge. Visit their website at www.casatoscana.co.za for more info on any upcoming events.
For more information Visit www.casatoscana.co.za
First impressions, lasting connections, perfect hospitality
Capital Hotel School Training is proud to offer the Hospitality Reception Skills Programme – a fully online, accredited training opportunity designed for employed individuals looking to refine their front-of-house service skills.
This skills programme includes a work-integrated learning component, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real-time within the workplace. Training covers key areas such as customer service, communication, reservations, and professional front-desk conduct.
Accredited skills programmes like this can help companies claim back a higher percentage of their Skills Development Levies, offering both a growth and financial advantage.
Registration dates are available from 1 May to 23 June 2025, with training starting on Monday, 30 June 2025.
All of this for just R4 950.00 per person – an investment in professionalism, guest service excellence, and your brand’s first impression.
Empower your team to become the polished, professional face of your business.
Enquire HERE
Mother’s Day Luch at So Subtle Restaurant
This Mother’s Day, give her more than a gift , give her a moment to remember. 🌷
Celebrate Mom with quiet luxury, comfort, and a meal prepared from the heart at So Subtle Restaurant. 💐✨
👨👩👧👦 Experience the full family celebration for only R680 per person.
A special kid’s menu will also be available for little ones under 10.
📅 Limited seats available, early booking is essential!
🔒 A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your table.
📲 Book now via Dineplan:
👉 https://www.dineplan.com/restaurants/so-subtle
Headline Special Bulk Offer — Perfect for Shops and Corporate Gifts!
Idalet is excited to offer a special discount when you purchase 10 or more of the same items!
This offer applies to our range of popular products, including:
- Coasters
- Tote shopping bags
- Fridge magnets
- Luggage tags
- Key rings
- Earrings
- Art cards
Ideal for curio shops, boutique retailers, and corporate gifts, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up and save. View our full range online and contact us today to take advantage of these exclusive prices! For more information visit www.idaletanderica.com, email define@telkomsa.net, or call +27 (0)83 457 4983
Spoil Mom This Mother’s Day at Mongena Game Lodge
This Mother’s Day, treat the most important woman in your life to a relaxing afternoon in the bushveld at Mongena’s Tshukudu Lapa. Nestled within the Dinokeng Game Reserve, Mongena offers the perfect setting to honor moms with a delicious buffet lunch, soothing live music, and a special gift just for her.
Sunday, 11 May 2025 | 12H00 – 15H00
Enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with live music
Indulge in a lunch buffet made with care
All moms receive a free gift
Family-friendly environment with special pricing for children
Costs (lunch only):
• R590 per adult
• R295 per child (6–11 years)
• R170 per child (2–5 years)
Book now via www.mongena.co.za
Full payment required to confirm booking. 100% cancellation fee applies. Please note: Dinokeng Conservation Levy not included.
Mid-Week Madness at Acrobranch Nationwide
MID-WEEK MADNESS AT ACROBRANCH!
Get 50% OFF all School Outings & Team Buildings this winter!
Available Wednesday to Friday
Monday & Tuesday – Special requests welcome for groups of 25+
Use Promo Code: AcroMad50
Offer valid until 30 June 2025
Why Acrobranch?
Build teamwork & leadership skills
Boost confidence & independence
Enjoy fresh air, fun & outdoor adventure!
Find us at 12 locations nationwide:
Gauteng: Pta North, Garsfontein (Tierpoort), Centurion (The Big Red Barn), Melrose, Modderfontein, Casalinga (Muldersdrift)
Western Cape: Stellenbosch, Constantia, Garden Route (Timberlake Organic Village)
KZN: Hillcrest (Morewood Farm & Activity Centre), Pietermaritzburg (KZN Botanical Gardens)
North West: Rustenburg (The Farmyard on Rainhill Farm)
For more information visit acrobranch.co.za
The Spirit of Indulgence Awaits | A Mangwanani African Spa Experience Like No Other
Step into a world where touch, tranquillity, and tradition awaken the soul of Africa. At Mangwanani African Spa, every experience is more than just a treatment, it’s a deeply rooted ritual that reconnects you with peace, luxury, and yourself.
Indulge in Timeless African Rituals
Whether you’re:
- Unwinding at one of our serene spas
- Hosting a meaningful corporate escape
- Or enjoying a Nomadic Event beneath the open skies
…we craft moments that linger, nourishing your body and spirit alike.
Rooted in Heritage.
Wrapped in Luxury.
Designed for You.
Let tradition embrace modern indulgence. From massage therapies to cultural treatments under the African sun, we offer an experience that is authentically African, luxuriously personal, and spiritually uplifting.
Book Your Appointment Now!
Call: 087 809 0055 / 0860 55 00 55 / 076 888 2463
www.mangwanani.co.za
Reconnect. Rejuvenate. Rediscover yourself at Mangwanani.
With love and luxury,
The Mangwanani African Spa Team
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