Henrietta Atkinson, Kruger to Canyons Route, Limpopo

“I’m a great fan of Open Africa’s even though for our route it’s been difficult to get people involved because we are a mix of emerging businesses alongside much larger, more established enterprises. The marketing benefits of Open Africa, through the website and Indaba, are very useful, especially to smaller businesses. What is also very valuable to emerging businesses is the training, access to information and linkages to other small tourism-based enterprises that Open Africa provides.”

Pat Dlamini, Rixile: Culture to Kruger Route, Limpopo

“Open Africa has allowed us to establish ourselves as a route and to link up with other neighboring routes. Before, we never used to know who was who and who did what. But now, we can all market ourselves together; we have everything sorted out. We all gather on the second Tuesday of every month – all the different types of tourism products and services. Because of Open Africa there are a lot more bookings between us all, and then we all share our bookings with each other. It’s a process and it takes time, but it’s working. Before Open Africa there was nothing ... just nothing. The major breakthrough was connecting.”

Liezel Farmer, Richtersveld Route, Northern Cape

“Open Africa has changed the role of women in the Richtersveld. They have given us confidence. It used to be men who got all the jobs, but now it’s different. I personally know that there is no man that can do what I do, whether it’s cooking and cleaning, entertaining guests, or setting up tents in the dark with just a headlight on.”

Laurence Fenner, Drakensberg Experience Route, KwaZulu-Natal

“Establishing a route two years ago has already made a huge difference to the area. It has basically given 150 businesses a platform to market. In the past year, seven brand-new businesses joined the route, employing 27 full-time and six part-time people. New businesses are growing all the time, as they see the value of marketing and the increasing number of tourists coming to the area.

"The route has been great for the local economy with lots of spin-offs. In the first week alone, Estcourt Butchery, one of the participating businesses, got a call from a catering company through the Open Africa website and as a result got a R13 000 meat order! Open Africa is demonstrating the huge potential for job creation and livelihoods in rural areas through tourism.”

Maria Maile, Khanyisa Route, Western Cape

“I started my B&B business 10 years ago. It takes time to build up a business and it’s not always easy. I’ve realised that marketing and knowledge are key to sustainability and Open Africa has given me both. Their workshops broadened my mind and my knowledge, encouraging us to share information, and their website provides ongoing marketing for my business. More than this, they recognise me.

"Open Africa has given me the power and passion to expand. My business helps support five of us, my husband, my grandchildren, one of whom is going to Cape Tech, and sometimes my daughter as I am encouraging her to run her own pottery business. My B&B will provide a market for her pottery and when we expand, she will work from home with me, guiding and looking after tourists and making and selling pottery. We must use Open Africa as a vehicle; it will take us where we need to go." 

David Maphophe, Hlanganani Route, Limpopo

“Open Africa is an organisation that connects African people by marketing us to the outside world. They take our projects and put them into their networks so that people can learn about our progress. They encourage us, and tell us that, yes, we are doing good things - but then they tell us that if we try it this way, it could be better. As a result we get more visitors. And visitors boost our communities.”

Patrick Morata, Seraki Blouberg Route, Limpopo

“Everyone across Limpopo knows and appreciates Open Africa and the work they have done. They are doing a good job for us by advertising our camps and projects online and in their magazines, by spreading awareness for our region. Tourists can now find us online and it has really made a big difference.”

Ramie Xonxa, Mbodla Eco-Heritage Route, Eastern Cape

“Open Africa has helped us get our route running. This was a rural area with few job opportunities. Through Open Africa, we have been able to support our people by giving them jobs that had not been there before. Open Africa has changed our lives as a community.”