Winds of change for Manzini

MANZINI – Winds of change have really blown very hot and very positive for the second biggest town in the tiny kingdom of Swaziland which has begun, not only effecting phenomenal development, but also ushering a brand new tradition of utilising the local hotel industry as a daily routine.

At the forefront of such phenomenal change is none other than the Deputy General Manager of The George Hotel, Ms Ntfobeko Mayisela, nee Motsa who has gone the length and breadth of establishing this city as one of the entertainment and developmental centres in the country.

“The whole thing began when my father, Mr Moses Motsa bought this hotel from the previous owners in 2010 and I was invited into the fold, to enhance the business and begin to attract more and more patrons, especially even our daily patrons who’ve gone into the habit of attending even our entertainment events here,” she said.

Mayisela was speaking to this newspaper last Sunday morning after the successful run of her self-conceived programme of action to lure more patrons and creating that much-needed closeness with all stratas of society and present hotels as homely places.

The 2nd Annual Fashion Show had just taken place at The Banquet Conference Centre, and lo, what a spectacle it turned out to be with home-grown talent given the whole platform to showcase their talents to all and sundry.

There were the likes of leading boutiques and designer houses as BoNelly Exclusive Boutique operating from The Gables in Ezulwini Valley which was led by none other than Ms Nomathemba Masuku its manager and Swaziland’s very own No.1 Diva, Franky who mesmerised with their exclusive top of the range designs and clothing range ranging from exquisite formal to casual wear.

BoNelly Boutique are reputed for dressing the hierarchy of Swaziland which begins from the top at the Royal Family downwards and are currently the leading fashion house.
So, too, were the likes of Maswane Fashion Designers, Nandi Mthethwa, Just Glam Swaziland, Black Diamond featuring Phumelele and Gaguren, Marg Swag by Chenx, Moments by Mimi Magwaza and Sgonian Republic.

What was even more intriguing during the event was the fact that designers and boutique owners had exhibition stalls where they showcased their wear besides on the ramp only.

They were able to interact directly with their audience for appraisals and orders.

“The whole idea emanated from us wanting to create our hotel as the destination for economic development and entertainment. We have to stop this tendency of always having our community and patrons, alike moving to places like Ezulwini Valley and Mbabane for entertainment when we can provide the best here.”alluded Mayisela

“The fact that Swazis had to venture to South Africa for all their clothing needs when we have good and very talented designers of high repute that have been producing exclusive designs for weddings, matric dances and some have the privilege of producing for the Royal Family who have been very supportive.
“During our first venture in 2013, the designers were somewhat nervous, but this year they’ve gained so much confidence that I feel we’re getting somewhere with this venture. We’ve been utilising the current Miss Swaziland, Samukelisiwe Magagula on many ventures, including charity work”.

“Last year we had the ramp running over our pool here and there followed copycats, thereafter. The unique feature this year of exhibitions and being indoors has drawn a number of our leading designers and boutiques most of whom are based at The Gables, an upmarket mall,” she said.
Mayisela also pointed out that they have programmes every second month all based on certain themes, seasonal and otherwise. “For instance, August was cultural month in Swaziland, where we had a whole range of culturally-orientated programmes and hence now we’re into spring, and spring ranges will be showcased.

“We’ve thus also opened up to the entire community to enjoy the facilities which some perceive to be beyond their reach financially, yet affordable like our spa which we have introduced to also ordinary women who have begun using it.
“You also have the likes of local diners and tourists, alike, enjoying our menus with a combination of traditional food and western, all very palatable indeed. We have very experienced chefs who’ve also had vast training at Durban’s Royal Hotel and we boast of a variety of services here which are compatible with persons from all walks of life,” she further
explained.

Mayisela insists that organising events like a High Tea event for women, organising traditional food and encouraging eating communally in traditional dishes like umgcwembe and talking about the affordability of attending spas to pamper one up, have been precipitative for their growth as a business.

“It gives me satisfaction to see our country easing the entire dependency on South Africa and others to independence of providing and attracting chain stores to their cities. We’ve also grown as a business as we recently added 66 rooms at our establishment and it is business as usual.
“In the pipeline are major tourism partnerships with the Swaziland Tourism Authority and we plan live jazz festivals and other entertainment menus to keep Manzini alive and our people growing, but going forward, we want to also join hands with Mpumalanga and Mozambique and host big events that will attract patrons from the three countries.

“It is a possibility and we are hell-bent on making it succeed, no matter what,” she ended.