Tembisa has a lot to offer to tourists

While many people complain too much about the failure of the tourism department to recognise Tembisa as a tourist destination, Tembisa entrepreneur encourages locals to travel and explore their own country.

Situated a stone’s throw away from OR Tambo International Airport, Tembisa residents watch opportunities slip through their fingers when international visitors land at the airport and head to Soweto.

Timeline Travel founder and sales director Andrew Machete said the problem is that Tembisa residents are not aware as to what they have to offer to the touring international visitors.

Machete advised Tembisa residents to venture into touring their own country and learn from other businesses operating in the tourism industry.

“What worries me is that township people uphold the myth that travelling is expensive and it is meant for rich people.

“In my business, I have designed affordable packages that can allow anyone in the township to travel and explore their own country,” said Machete.

Asked how he got into the tourism industry, Machete said due to financial difficulties he joined the retail industry after completing his matric.

From there the ambitious former student of iZitikeni Secondary School moved from one company to another learning different skills.

Machete said he learned a lot from marketing companies which eventually led him to start his own marketing agency.

“It started off very well as we had offices operating in Sandton.

“The company failed after a while and I had to go back to studying in 2012,” said Machete.

He enrolled for a diploma in public relations which taught him people skills.

After graduating he opted not to go job hunting, but decided to try again in another business venture and that is when the Timeline Travel was born.

“I started taking tourism short courses and that is what turned me into a professional tourism specialist.

“A friend of mine, Daddy Thelele, joined me in the business venture and that gave me a lot of strength,” Machete explained.

He said the business faced a lot of challenges in the beginning as they were not known in the tourism industry.

To introduce themselves they had to start attending seminars in the tourism industry, taking part in networking sessions and workshops for things like tour guides said Machete.

“Slowly people learned about our company and started to take us seriously.

“We took advantage of government opportunities to exhibit in international expos such as Africa’s Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa.

“That really gave us huge exposure,” said Machete.

Machete considers himself as a very patient and strong person as he had to swallow his pride by coming back to Tembisa after his first company failed in Sandton.

He was not derailed from his entrepreneurship ambitions and today his business is well respected.

“Entrepreneurs must not give up on their dreams.

“Have determination and passion in what you do,” Machete said.

Machete said his doors are open to any Tembisa resident that needs to learn about tourism and travelling.

“I will assist in identifying interesting destinations.

“I also hope to help graduates in the travel and tourism sector,” Machete added.

Timeline Travel specialises in destination management where they arrange travels and accommodation, day excursion trips, city sightseeing, selling flight tickets and also doing car rentals.

People who are interested in learning more about travelling can contact Machete on 071 475 9998 or 011 655 7188 or email info@timelinetravel.co.za