Following up from World Tourism day, Minister Alan Winde, Western Cape MEC of Economic Development and Tourism asked if he could join our morning tour in Masiphumelele. We’d already had the pleasure of hosting him on an AWOL tours City Cycle Tour showcasing cycling in Cape Town, but the lively informal settlement of Masiphumelele is an altogether different kind of tour from cruising around the neat houses of the Bo Kaap.
We started with an informal coffee at the newly opened ‘Nonni’s Coffee Shop’ and had a chat with Louis De Waal from the Bicycle Empowerment Network. Louis was busy interviewing prospective candidates to run the BEN container bike rental shop and facilitate with bike repair workshops, but quickly decided to join us on the tour.
Our next stop was the ‘Masivelane Day Care’ where the children were happy to sit or climb on their new friend. Louis and the Minister got stuck in to colouring-in, hand clapping and enthusiastic introductions. After a happy song about bananas we moved on to visit the Sangoma.
Minister Winde and guests listened to the story of a young local woman on her journey to becoming a Sangoma, explaining dreams and messages from the ancestors. The house was filled with drumming and stamping and not many feet stayed still.
The day ended with lunch at the local restaurant and a slow winding cycle back to the BEN container. Final farewells were made as well as commitments to keep promoting responsible and sustainable tourism from both AWOL Tours and the Minister. The message from the Minister is clear ….strive to be the best you can be.