Love Limpopo champions tourism, art, and culture

TZANEEN – Lisa Martus’s love for tourism and art began in childhood, shaped by years of living abroad.

Born in Johannesburg, her family moved every few years, sparking a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and creative expression.

Today, Martus is the co-founder of Love Limpopo, a destination marketing and management organisation dedicated to sharing the province’s unique stories.

Alongside her partner, Deon Pienaar, she publishes Mountain Getaways, which focuses on Magoebaskloof, Haenertsburg, and Tzaneen, as well as Wild Getaways, which covers Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, and the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere.

Their reach is now expanding to the Soutpansberg, Vhembe Biosphere, Waterberg, and beyond.

Her love affair with Limpopo began when she moved to the province with her late husband, Ben de Boer, a ranger-guide in the Manyeleti Game Reserve.

She quickly fell in love with the rhythm and pulse of the region.

While teaching at Khanyisa Education Centre in Giyani, the couple spent every school holiday exploring Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, and beyond.

They later managed their family-owned eco-lodge in Magoebaskloof, and Ben launched Limpopo Birding Routes, now managed by bird guides David Letsoalo, Paul Nkhumane, Samson Mulaudzi, and Boaz Tsebe.

Eight years ago, Martus and Pienaar established Love Limpopo and their related travel magazines.

Their work is built on four pillars: conservation, community, conscious travel, and culture.

For over a decade, they have also worked closely with artists and craftspeople along the Ribola Art Route near Elim and Makhado.

Through Love Limpopo, they have developed immersive visitor experiences, such as traditional pot-making, batik cloth creation, and “scrapture” sculpture-making with Pilato Bulala, where visitors transform scrap metal into art. They also introduce guests to the home galleries of world-renowned artists, including Thomas Kubayi, Johannes Maswanganyi, Kenneth Nonyana, David Murathi, Amorous Maswanganyi, and Rick Baloyi.

“While I appreciate art from all ages and cultures, the artists of Limpopo speak most deeply to my soul,” Martus says.

“Their sculptures capture the region’s cultural traditions, contemporary life, and energy.”

Reflecting on Women’s Month, she says it is a time to pause and recognise the countless ways women shape our world, often quietly, without fanfare.

“It’s about honouring women who nurture families, build communities, lead businesses, protect the environment, and preserve culture. Women’s Month also challenges us to keep pushing for equality, to celebrate diversity, and to ensure the next generation of women has even greater opportunities to thrive.”

For more information, follow Love Limpopo on Facebook and Instagram.