AN INVITATION landed on my email to enjoy the serendipity of Mpumalanga, during our ‘own sho’left’.
The sojourn: attend the opening of new family owned hotel- Angels View- at Graskop, a tinny but clean dorpie.
Our hosts for an evening were true tourism warriors Dr Reuel Khoza and gorgeous wife Mme Mumsy Khoza (nee Theledi).
After traversing through Dullstroom, making our scenic route right up to bustling and one of tourism signatures in the province, Graskop, and having passed the internationally renowned Graskop Gorge Lift Co, boom- we landed at the breath-taking property Angels View, with our hosts and staff ready to welcome some of lowly newsmen and influencers.
It is perfectly perched on the awe- inspiring world’s celebrated God’s Window escarpment and what differentiate it from its competitors is the design that was born and initiated in 2016 by its founders- the Khozas.
It boast 12 Superior Viewside and Classic Boutique Hotel rooms, having added 44 rooms that were completed in June this year.
One could not help but see some minor road works being completed as we made our way to the main reception. Could imagine how it will look like upon completion, your guess is just good as mine!
After taking an outside shower ‘just to listen to the whistling of birds and any uninvited onlookers’ and sipping on a cold-one after a 5-hour journey from OR Tambo- InterContinental Hotel early morning on Tuesday, one was more buoyant in meeting an academic and pioneer Dr Khoza, than the opening of the hotel itself- I know it might sound odd but meeting this walking encyclopaedia is by no means a small feat.
“I warmly welcome you all for making time and in sharing with us, this exciting news of the opening of our new property,” quipped Dr Khoza, a trailblazer, much to applause from invited guest, resembled in corporate suit and signature SA flag scarf.
“This forms part of our growing portfolio in property and since the beginning of the construction in 2016, it has been hard times and tears but today, with your presence, we introduce Angels View Hotel to you,” said the age defying and well-toned Dr Khoza with a smile, who is currently chairman of Dzana Investments (Pty) Ltd, Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and Assupol Insurance Group amongst others.
I put it to him, how he does it, during my interaction with him in his private room, its all thanks to my loving wife and family. “She knows what to do and when. As for my family they know which buttons to press when its required hence today some of them are here to celebrate another milestone in the family”, he said.
As for the hotel it offers accommodation options for guests thanks to all the amenities of a peaceful luxury hotel and self-catering experience.
What also struck me were pools almost surrounding the hotel, also included is dining area, relaxation lounge, library lounge area and outside dining restaurant and Wi-Fi access throughout.
Being a Shangaan family- Mumsy’s Restaurant offers its authentic African interior decor and impressive “Xibelani” lights.
There is 4 Superior Classic Suites including an exquisite Bridal/Honeymoon Suite with stunning decorations and 10 luxury viewside known as “grotto” earth units- these units are self-catering with optional in-room butler dining. The grotto units are architecturally exclusive in that they have domed roofs and rammed earth walls reminiscent of the building style of Timbuktu.
One of the units is wheelchair accessible with modern fixtures that ensure a comfortable stay for patrons living with disabilities.
Posed to Dr Khoza, former Eskom and Nedbank chairperson, on how the wording of the hotel was conceived, that broad smile once again flashed on my face, and said interestingly, he and business partner Dr Nel initially came up with the word ‘cold mountain’ but we thought it would no work since people in mzansi do not enjoy winter. Then we opted for ‘eagles view’ but that did tickle us enough and finally we settled for Angels View (for biblical and faith reasons) and since its close to the Gods Window, they remarked in unison with Mme Khoza.
The UKZN Chancellor, Dr Khoza also made a clarion call to young people, go to school, emulate and surpass what we’re doing because now its in your hands. On tourism, he quipped that it is very labour intensive yet productive.
“Our educational system should be prepped up, because our graduates are trained for jobs that no longer require their skills. Its disheartening. Therefore, private sector should also invest more in education, to bolster the economy,” pointing out also that as a company they’ve invested in small and medium organisations in the area of Graskop to procure services to the hotel.
Talk of service, Angels View is for everyone amid magnificent tourist destinations Graskop Gorge, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pilgrim’s Rest and the Kruger National Park, you’re never far from a memorable, relaxing experience!
And the romantic Evelyn’s Chapel and a glass marquee can accommodate up to 400 guests, with an extended viewing deck for ideal wedding spaces. It has the ideal facilities for conferences, anniversaries, birthdays, matric dances or any special functions and occasions and can accommodate 500 guests for conferences.
Asked what makes them sleep at night- Mme Mumsy proudly interjected “the fact that we’ve created space and job opportunities for our people. Its upon us to make it work and youths who are the future- must take the lead. That’s what makes us sleep peacefully.”
A capitalist, something he’s not ashamed of, Dr Khoza and wife created a Foundation in 2019 that focuses on education amongst others; which has thus far produced two actuaries from a village.
“This part of I, and family reinvesting in our own. More is to come,” says the man who dabbles as a herdboy and a farmer, producing avocados, pears and macadamia nuts when not running Hoyohoyo (meaning enthusiastic) that oversees other lodges and hotels in the country and other businesses.
A shareholder at contemporaneous Graskop Gorge Lift Co, and very opinionated Oupa Pilane, who has been appointed the chairperson for the Southern African Tourism Services Association, highlighted that when private sector works in tandem everything is possible.
Theirs is to do away with visas and allow free movement in SADC and ultimately throughout the Continent- just like in Europe.
After having a word with his international guests Dr Khoza, a lyricist and author of six books, summed it succinctly that it can’t be that we have arm- couch critics when the economy is going pear shaped.
Loadshedding affects businesses and those in power should know what to do, instead of hiding in the comfort of their homes when things are not shaping up.
He once again made a clarion call to SA intelligentsia to enter the fray and fix the economy, such as Eskom, etc…
To add cherry on top of a cake, there’s a facility with full landing strip adjacent to the hotel, Graskop Airfield, and talks are at advanced stage with investors to fully operate and cater for those who prefer flying in.
As for the picturesque scenery at Hoyohoyo Angels View, Graskop this isn’t just a hotel, it’s a lifestyle– Ha Khensa swinene!
Images SLM (Power couple. Dr Reuel Khoza and wife Mme Mumsy Khoza at the opening of their hotel HoyoHoyo Angels View at Graskop, Mpumalanga).
