MyPressportal - Free Press Releases South Africa
29 May 2007 4 min

BBC chooses township Guest House as base for documentary

Written by: Liziwe's Guest House Save to Instapaper
{pp}March 27, 2007: An entire team from the UK Television channel, BBC Food, chose to stay, and party, at Liziwe's Guest House in Gugulethu this week, experiencing the culture and tradition of the locals, and what makes South Africa a major attraction.Early last week, the Cooked In Africa crew arrived with cameras rolling, and were welcomed by local dance troups. Each member of the crew approached Liziwe and kneeled before her to taste the umqhobhothi. They came to understand what Proudly South African means for the Xhosa tradition.Justin Bonello, host of Cooked In Africa Show, learnt exotic skills from Liziwe as she prepared traditional beer, known as umqhobhothi. The intricate process can't be rushed, as Bonello was to find out, during this three-day wait for the beer to rise.
Staying at Liziwe's B&B changed my negative perception of Guguletu and township life... now just imagine what she does for every tourist - local or foreigner - that comes to Cape Town. Not only were we made to feel at home, we were treated to a true once-in-a-lifetime experience where we made genuine friends. Liziwe's B&B was quite incredible, says Justin Bonello. Liziwe's Guest House first opened its doors in mid December 2005. Liziwe Ngcokoto is the owner of this unique home away from home, and her warmth and local cooking expertise strike just the right note with her guests. Liziwe�s dream began when they bought the plot on which the Guest House currently stands. She and her family lived in a shack on the plot for five years in Guguletu, N.Y 111  121, whilst building the guest house. Together with her husband, they worked towards building their home and decided to extend their home into a beautifully appointed Guest House. The Guest House, it's d'cor and ambience is a tribute to the community of Guguletu. By showcasing Guguletu's homegrown artistic talents, Liziwe stays true to her roots and exposes her guests to the rich and proud heritage of the township. Poetry from local talents such as Mapule, a student at Fezeka High School and art from numerous local artists adorne the Guest House�s walls. And aside for her now famous African cooking, guests are regularly treated to entertainment in the form of �Umxhentso�, a traditional dance performed by local dance troups. For Liziwe, promoting the local experience is paramount. �It doesn�t matter who we look after -BBC or SABC, they leave knowing local is definitely lekker!� Liziwe believes the tourism industry provides great opportunities for local entrepreneurs and encourages anyone interested, to have a vision, seek information, and execute their plans. Having received advice and support from Gerald Mallinick, Chairman of Mallinicks Attorneys, and valuable information and training from the Red Door Initiative, Liziwe relishes the opportunity to help others where she can. When asked for her secret to her success, Liziwe says Hard work and determination pays off. I�ve put my whole heart into making my Guest House a success, and looking ahead the FIFA World Cup in 2010, my aim is to expand and build a few more rooms�. Contact Details Cleopatra Ngcokoto Liziwe's Guest House 021 425 7111 cleo@trafficonline.co.za
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Published in Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous

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