Zanami Lodge Makes Limpopo Proud During ETEYA Announcements

Zanami Lodge, who were announced the provincial winners of the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (ETEYA) last September in Limpopo, have continued to make Limpopo proud with their immaculate accommodation product when they were named the second runners up of  ETEYA at Tourism Indaba in Durban on the 6th May 2011. Zamami Lodge, based in Polokwane, is owned by Loraine Chitate, received an ETEYA trophy and a prize to the tune R50 000 for their effort.

ETEYA is a competition open to black (as defined in the Constitution) entrepreneurs, who operate small, micro and medium level tourism or hospitality related businesses. It  is limited to businesses that have been in operation for less than five years, employ less than 50 people and have an annual turnover of R5 million or less and of course comply with the legal requirements for running the business. ETEYA, now in its tenth year as an initiative led by SA Tourism in partnership with provincial tourism authorities, the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) and South African Breweries Ltd and is aimed at developing and sustaining SMME’s in the tourism sector and enhancing job creation. A recent research project undertaken by SA Tourism showed an impressive 70% increase in job creation opportunities were recorded by ETEYA finalists between 2001 and 2010.

The CEO of Limpopo Tourism and Parks, Mr. Rob Tooley, expressed his appreciation for the performance by Zanami Lodge and said, “We are indeed very grateful and proud of their achievement as this continues to put Limpopo on the map but will further serve as a motivation booster for other upcoming tourism entrepreneurs in the province”. Limpopo Province is known for her winning prowess after the province produced several winners in this category.

Loraine Chitate, the owner of Zanami Lodge expressed her gratitude to Limpopo Tourism and Parks for encouraging and guiding her through the journey that culminated in her product being announced the second runner up in the hotly contested competition. “I wish to thank Limpopo Tourism and Parks for their support and encouragement throughout the competition and I must admit it was not easy as I wanted to pull out at some stage. I would not have been where I am had LTP not given me the exposure through various mentoring programmes”. 

The LTP will, in June 2011, also organise a function where a cheque of R50 000 will be handed to Zanami Lodge to congratulate them for their achievement and to motivate others in the tourism industry.