Emzini Tours contributes to community development in Knysna township
03. Nov, 2009
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They say it takes a single spark to start a fire. That spark in Knysna has been Emzini Tours and there is a fire of goodwill raging that is touching the lives of numerous residents.
Ella Mhlalu and Penny Mainwaring started Emzini Township Tours last year. Offering a platform for local and overseas guests to experience township life, guests inadvertently see and experience the needs of the residents, and the stream of goodwill after each tour surprised everybody.Ella said that it was always her dream to help her community by uplifting those around her with food, clothing, confidence, employment, self-worth and safety. “I never imagined that the township tours will have this effect – we have been inundated with people wanting to help. One of our biggest projects yet is Lukhanyiso Safe House in Concordia. Knysna does not have a shelter for abused women and children and we were overjoyed when a German couple offered to put up the funds to start the project. The land has been purchased and the architects are drawing up the plans, and I believe this will be a true beacon for our community. “
Other offers of help included paying towards children’s pre-school fees, financial support for Ella’s Soup Kitchen, paying for medical services for sick children, handing out thousands of rands worth of items in the township including blankets, footballs, sweets, toys, crayons, pencils and sweets.
Emzini Township Tours has been chosen as a finalist for the FEDHASA Imvelo 2009 Awards and Ella and Penny are going to Johannesburg for the awards dinner on the 11th of November. Shaun van Eck, CEO of Knysna Tourism, said that one of the things that measure the success of their tourism development plan is the success of the SMME’s they support. “Emzini went with us to INDABA last year and took part in various marketing opportunities that Knysna Tourism facilitate, including a SMME Showcase to promote and market their services to our members. They have done us proud.”
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My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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