The winners of the annual Cape Town Tourism Board Development Fund (BDF) were announced at a glittering industry function at the Cape Town International Conference Centre in the city.
The BDF, established in 2014, has already aided several businesses with cash awards, mentoring and other business-boosting actions. The fund was created by the Board Members of Cape Town Tourism; the members opted to forego their stipends and instead provide support to up-and-coming, historically disadvantaged tourism businesses.
The latest recipients of the BDF announced at Cape Town Tourism’s AGM are:
Based on the concept of eKasi four-roomed homes that were the dwellings of the black communities in areas close to the business hubs of the cities of South Africa. The company consists of the fine-dining restaurant eKasi, a food truck and 4Roomed Pantry goods (promoting food security and healthy food choices in the townships, contributing to the economy, accommodation options, heritage décor and props hire and vintage clothing hire and sales. It is owner-operated by former Masterchef SA contestant Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena.
ABCD CONCEPTS
ABCD Concepts is a lifestyle marketing tourism start-up based in the heart of Khayelitsha run by Buntu Matole & Ayanda Cuba. Their mission is to express the experiences and interactions of people and businesses within communities through physical activity.
Enver Mally, outgoing Chairperson, Cape Town Tourism has this to say:
“We all start from somewhere – I remember being in awe of the big hotels in Cape Town when I was younger, and I went on to become Chairperson of this fantastic organisation; who knows what potential can exist in individuals? The BDF is designed to tap into that potential and maximise opportunities. Congratulations to all recipients.”
Source: eNCA
