Owner Florence Mondi gave up her job as an area supervisor for the post office in 2006 and transformed her elegant home into a B&B, “because I needed a challenge in my life and I have a passion for the hospitality industry”.
Located near the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus, within walking distance of Maponya Mall and a few short kilometres from Nelson Mandela’s previous home in Orlando, Florence’s B&B has become a haven for South Africans as well as international tourists visiting the township or the nearby institutions.
The venue sports an African theme, showcasing township life. As part of her services, Florence offers warm hospitality, relaxed conversations, and walking tours around the area.
Flossie’s started with three bedrooms, and recently a further four were added, all but two with en suite bathrooms.
“My next idea is to start a coffee shop on the premises, because I often have visitors – and even some local people – looking for a place to sit and chat,” says Florence.
Florence was invited to join Book a Guesthouse in 2007 and has been a proud member ever since. “My previous work experience was in running an office.
It’s very different running a hospitality business and Tsogo Sun’s entrepreneurial development programme has helped me a lot.”
Florence and her staff of two full-timers and three part-timers have benefited from training offered by Book a Guesthouse, including the University of Cape Town online Guesthouse Management course, housekeeping training and a chefs’ course.
“Book a Guesthouse has built confidence in me and now I am even considering opening another guesthouse in another province,” she concludes.
