Local guest house gets new generator

Thanks to a grant of just over R100 000 from the Ekurhuleni Peermont Chambers of Commerce Trust (EPCoCT), a BBBEE vehicle within the Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts group, a Tembisa-based concern, The View Guest House can look forward to a brighter 2016.

In the last quarter of the year, the EPCoCT approved funding of R119 950 for the Hospital View establishment to purchase an industrial generator to mitigate load shedding and cable theft problems, much to the delight of Ms Sheila Sekhitla, the owner and operator of the business.

Ms Sekhitla, an experienced tourism and hospitality entrepreneur who started out in the industry by opening a restaurant and pub in the family home in 1999, subsequently set about in 2002, transformed the business into a bed and breakfast enterprise which is now well established.

In recent months however, like most businesses, she has felt the full effect of load shedding on her business.

Realising a generator was an answer to her woes, Ms Sekhitla approached the EPCoCT for funding, which they approved, that will now help her to keep the lights on and continue offering guests the services they expect from this multi-award winning, three (3) Star Graded hospitality facility.

Having reliable power will also assist the business to remain a member in good standing of the Southern African Tourism Services Association; Gauteng Tourism Authority; Ekurhuleni Business Initiative; Proudly South African; Tourism Grading Council and the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa.

Speaking to members of the Trust during a visit to the 13-room establishment to view the new generator on Thursday morning, November 26, Ms Sekhitla expressed her gratitude, thanking the Trust and Trustees for the grant which will enable the business to prosper.

While fully equipped to make up to 18 clients’ stay as comfortable and private as possible, with some of the bedrooms equipped with colour televisions, coffee machines, fridges and en-suite bathrooms, electricity is integral to offering guests a top-class experience.

With a spa, a conference venue, which can accommodate 100 delegates, a bar, two kitchens and dining facilities indoors for 60 guests, having power 24/7 is imperative to running a successful business and thanks to the Trust, load shedding will no longer be a problem.

In the past year, the Trustees of the EPCoCT have granted funding of just over R1-million to seven community-based small business projects, which fall in the Emperors Palace catchment area, including The View Guest House, bringing the total funding granted by the Trust to date, since inception in 2008, to just under R22-million.