The refurbished 18-hole Soweto Country Club in the heart of Pimville has walked away with a Sports Tourism recognition at the 2023 Soweto Tourism Awards. Soweto Tourism Awards organiser Ayanda Kela says the ceremony celebrates the resilience, innovation and service excellence of the Soweto community involved in the tourism sector. “It was a way of giving due recognition to businesses and operators that that persisted despite challenges of poverty, poor economy, lack of support and other seemingly insurmountable obstacles that they are faced with.”
Thirteen winners were recognised at the event at the Soweto Theatre on 4 February 2023.
This year’s award for best attraction went to Regina Mundi in Rockville. The Orlando West-based Book Ibhoni won the best youth in tourism category and the Soweto Kota Festival walked away with the best events award.
Kela says the award ceremony was a success. “This event took a team of people to bring it to life, much of my gratitude goes to the Soweto community, business community, sponsors and stakeholders for joint efforts in the success of this event.
“As reflected by the success of the award ceremony, we are looking forward into creating employment, improve the livelihoods of locals, attract investment and continue to positively promote Soweto as a township tourism destination of choice in the world.”
Laura Vercueil, the spokesperson for Joburg Tourism, is appreciative of all of the hard work that was put in to make this award ceremony happen and congratulates the inspiring, creative and enterprising Sowetans who competed for the inaugural Soweto Tourism Awards.
“It’s so encouraging and exciting to see such a resurgence of SMMEs competing for Soweto’s best products, services and tourism experiences,” says Vercueil.
The winners of Soweto Tourism Award 2023 are:
- Accommodation – Ntozethu Guesthouse
- Tourism Experience – Soweto Drift Academy (Car spinning)
- Urban Lifestyle – Disoufeng
- Restaurants – Yummythings
- Sports Tourism – Soweto Country Club
- Youth in Tourism – Book Ibhoni
- Tour Guide – Sibusiso Ngubane
- Wellness Tourism – Saslo’Spa & Beauty Studio
- Events – Soweto Kota Festival
- Tour Operator – Soweto Travel Shop
- Arts and Culture – SenzarT911
- Attractions – Regina Mundi
- Camping – Soweto Little League Camp SA
Written by Getrude Mamabolo
08/02/2023