We always preach supporting township business and wax lyrical about Kasi economy. It is encouraging to see people put to practice all the social debate and think pieces by actually venturing into the townships and creating businesses.
This past weekend, social media was abuzz with news of Khayelitsha’s very first luxury hotel. Local businessman Bulelani Skaap and his wife Annette released a statement saying they are set to open a luxury hotel in the township. This will no doubt bring jobs and hopefully boost the township’s reputation. Another forward-thinking entrepreneur is Lindiwe Pholo, CEO of Li’TheCa Eventique.
Pholo is bringing polo to Rustenburg.
Her event, which will take place on the weekend of December 4, is titled The Royal Polo Day and is in partnership with Absolute Polo and Gemini Polo Club. The event will be held at the Royal Marang Hotel in Phokeng, Rustenburg. The event was recently launched at the Blueberry Hotel in Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg.
I attended the launch and though plagued by load-shedding, it went off without a hitch. In the crowd of attendees I spotted former Mrs Gigaba, Norma Mngoma, who was wearing a hounds tooth pants suit and kitten heels. Sunglass-clad Real Housewives of Joburg cast member Brinette Seopela was also in attendance and the effervescent Sophie Lichaba was seen.
The polo will not just be an event where people go to be seen; Pholo says it will be an event for social change. “When I decided on the polo I wanted to bring something that was already there but it should come from a place of empowerment.”
Pholo says local small businesses will be heavily involved on the weekend of the polo, allowing them to sell and showcase their wares; they will be handpicked.
The event was inspired by her desire to help domestic tourism recover from the coronavirus pandemic. She also stated that the Polo Day will benefit children in the region as they will introduce the sport of polo to school children in and around the area via a coaching clinic, where they will learn the basics of the game and be afforded the opportunity to watch a polo exhibition match on Friday, December 3.
Pholo is a West Rand native. Born and bred in Bekkersdal, she has been in business for over 18 years and lauds her former employer with igniting the fire of entrepreneurship within her.
“I must thank the company that employed me then, it was them that ignited this thing of wanting to be a businesswoman in me. It has never been easy though… it has not been an easy journey, it’s been challenging but it has allowed me to grow to be the person that I am. I’m grateful,” she says.
As mentioned before, the event will be a three-day affair starting on Friday December 3, and ending on Sunday.
Stoan Seate, member of popular kwaito group Bongo Muffin, was announced as the ambassador of The Royal Polo Day and official MC of the after-party.
Seate, who hails from North West, was visibly overjoyed at the prospect of this event happening in his home province. He says that him working with Pholo is serendipitous.
“It’s such a personal thing… we deserve an event like this, it’s long overdue. It’s also accessible to Joburgers. For me, it’s perfect; it’s a perfect meeting of ideas and desires.”
Seate said he hopes the event will be successful with a high attendance and that in the future, the government and corporate entities will support it.
“If you start from a good launch point, you can only go higher and higher. So I'm hoping that it will be successful and will be even more successful in the future.”
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