What began as a quick fix for an accommodation shortage during the Dundee July is now a powerful model for sustainable rural tourism in Endumeni Local Municipality. Through a bold public-private partnership, a handful of households have become year-round income-generating homestays, breathing life into communities and giving visitors authentic township experiences.
At the heart of this shift is a story of vision, collaboration, and unwavering belief in the power of local people.
It all started with a challenge: too many guests, too few beds. During the early years of the Dundee July horse-racing event, locals temporarily hosted jockeys and visitors in their homes, supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), who provided basic hospitality items. But it was a short-lived arrangement, when the festivities ended, so did the hosting.
Then came 2022. That’s when Endumeni Local Municipality stepped in, determined to convert a once-a-year initiative into a sustainable tourism enterprise. Through structured onboarding, property inspections, and official registration, homestays were no longer just makeshift lodgings, they became real businesses.
Today, 15 fully operational homestays, 12 of them Basic Quality Verified, collectively offer 70 rooms, growing to 120 rooms during peak demand. These homes aren’t just places to sleep. They are doorways to the culture, flavours, and rhythms of life in Dundee, Glencoe, Sibongile, and beyond.
With support from Africa Ignite, EDTEA, and Airbnb, hosts went through a 6-month entrepreneurship training programme. They learned it all from crafting standout digital listings and managing guest expectations, to cultural storytelling and running profitable businesses.
And it worked. Some hosts, like Nokukhanya Sibiya, now get monthly bookings throughout the year, proof that with the right tools, township homes can thrive in the global travel economy.
The municipality isn’t stopping there. The future of Endumeni’s homestays rests on formal recognition and support. Plans are in motion to create a dedicated homestay business license, ensure homes are zoned and insured, roll out Tourism Grading Council star ratings, and facilitate access to funding, infrastructure, and visibility.
This programme is also reshaping lives, especially for women.
Nokukhanya Sibiya, a single mother, was the first success from the programme. She had a 2-bedroom house and started hosting in 2017 for the Dundee July. After completing the Airbnb training, she had already received five bookings by graduation. Today, her home is consistently booked year-round, thanks to her prime location near a township hotspot.
Mandy Hlongwana saved her earnings each year and slowly transformed her home into a student hostel during school terms. She reopens for guests during school holidays, keeping her tourism calendar active throughout the year.
Thandi Dlandla, a widow, always dreamed of opening a Bed and Breakfast after retirement. That dream came sooner than expected when she landed a repeat booking that now keeps her financially stable. She expanded from letting two rooms to four and continues to grow before even retiring.
Sindy Xaba is one of the most enthusiastic hosts in the network. She takes every opportunity seriously and was selected to attend the Africa Travel Indaba this year. There, she secured bookings for the rest of the year and even applied for tourism funding to install solar power. Although she didn’t win the grant, her drive makes her a standout example of what this programme can produce.
Over 70% of the current homestay hosts are women, and the ripple effect touches every corner of the local economy, from food suppliers and taxi drivers to artisans, tour guides, and youth entering hospitality. Each booking is not just a stay, it’s an investment into the cultural and economic fabric of Endumeni.
Endumeni has created more than homestays, they’ve built a replicable model for inclusive rural tourism. A model where every home can become a destination, every host can become a storyteller, and every guest can experience the real South Africa.
This is what transformation looks like when policy meets passion.
