mdiVENTURES: We Find Humility & UBUNTU At Soweto's Greenest Oasis

Seldom have Ivan and I had the pleasure of meeting with someone who embodies anywhere near the humility and spirit of UBUNTU that is personified by our very own Madiba - ex-Pres. Nelson Mandela - but this man is that rare exception:

His name: Sidwell Nxumalo - owner: Ubuntu Kraal, Orlando West, Soweto

We're proud to be developing a joint venture business relationship with someone so clearly the salt-of-the-earth in this historic community of Orlando West, Soweto.

We're busy compiling, collecting, collating historic articles and data on this unique man and facility. Here's a sample of what we've found:

Online Article: Escape the city, retreat to Ubuntu Kraal - February 20, 2004

Online Article credit - sourced from: City of Johannesburg website - http://www.joburg.org.za/

FOR anyone needing a timeout from a hectic Jozi lifestyle, the Ubuntu Kraal, situated in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Soweto, is the ideal kickback place - a little piece of African tranquillity just kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg.

Here, on 2.8 hectares of prime real estate in Orlando West, people can rent one of the 10 self-catering bushveld-style lapas - available for the day - or hold conferences or functions.

Ubuntu Kraal owner Sidwell Nxumalo (middle) with guests

Driving into the development from Orlando, the eye is immediately drawn to the centrepiece of the venue: the conference facility. Painted in pink, with black and white drawings of Zulu shields and assegais and cast-iron three-legged pots on the walls, the conference building can hold up to 500 people. It can cater for a wide range of activities, from graduation ceremonies and jazz concerts, to weddings and marketing events.

Inside the conference centre, soothing traditional music plays in the background, adding to the tranquillity of the venue. Specially trained staff ensures that the needs of the particular client are met, adjusting the layout of the tables and chairs, ensuring the appropriate equipment is available.

Owner and managing director of Ubuntu Kraal, Sidwell Nxumalo, says he saw a gap in the market and decided to pursue his dream of creating a venue "that is unique, practices ubuntu and is competitive in nature". His vision is "to enhance the tourism industry in Soweto by providing service of the highest level and through the constant pursuit of excellence".

Visitors using the thatched lapas for the day can choose to use a fully equipped self-catering unit or book the in-house catering service. The area also boasts a green lawn for easy walks, picnic areas, soothing waterfalls, and a swimming pool.

Ubuntu Kraal in-house catering service, supplies visitors with traditional food, including samp, ting (sour porridge), mogodu (tripe), mopane worms and morogo. Other items include a finger lunch of meat dishes, vegetables and salads or a braai menu of chicken peri-peri, rump steak, traditional wors served with pap, rolls, roasted potato and tomato gravy. The costs of the set menus vary, depending on what visitors choose.

A traditional African ethos - ubuntu - permeates the venue. The triangular arch at the entrance is painted with the geometric patterns typical of Ndebele art.

Nxumalo never loses sight of the strength of the family and has a plaque for his father, Bava Hongonyi, at the entrance. One of the halls used for functions is called "Nwamazwinyi" after his mother. Just outside the hall is a small garden chapel for intimate weddings. This is the "Gogo Mandabas Chapel", named after his grandmother. "She was my inspiration, my mentor," Nxumalo says.

Alongside the conference centre is a train carriage on a 4m-railway track. It is an old-style maroon and gold South African Railway carriage, with wooden benches and bunks that could be made into beds for an overnight trip. Nxumalo plans to refurbish the carriage, at a cost of R60 000, and turn it into a restaurant and a hideaway for newly weds.

The initial infrastructure dates back to the late 1980s, when it was an office park and site for Nxumalo's construction and paving company. He has invested his money in "several strategically positioned pieces of real estate in Soweto". Funds from these investments were ploughed into establishing Ubuntu Kraal. Work began in 1995 on turning the property into the entertainment and leisure centre.

Ubuntu Kraal is a popular venue for weddings

Besides the conference venues and lapas, Ubuntu Kraal now boasts several communal braai and kitchen areas, a dining room, and a small farm with ducks, cows and horses.

"Although the primary target for this venture was the emerging market, the company quickly earned itself an excellent reputation with its clientele and also expanded into more affluent areas," says Nxumalo. Now it caters for a vast range of people.

Guests have included the former US ambassador to the United Nations and former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young, and delegations from the chambers of commerce of Johannesburg, Malaysia and Thailand. Multinational corporations such as Coca Cola, Tastic Rice and Kellogg's have also made use of the conference facilities.

Ubuntu Kraal is an ongoing development, with Nxumalo's fertile imagination constantly planning changes and other developments. "I want to continue reinvesting in the community by expanding and promoting this venue."

A further 1.3-hectares of land is still available to continue building Nxumalo's dreams. He is planning a new R1.2-million development: "The main thrust of expansion will be the construction of 10 additional chalets to accommodate tourists. These chalets will be upmarket guest quarters with carpeting, furniture, self-contained restrooms and bathrooms."

A second phase of the expansion will be the upgrading of the dining lounge to a fully equipped restaurant, "serving traditional South African meals", he adds.

"People desire to visit Soweto for its unique culture, it is a symbol of resistance to oppression and it has a very rich heritage," says Nxumalo. His opinion is backed by statistics from the South African Tourism Board, which shows that an average 1 400 people visit Soweto each day, many from other African states and elsewhere.

Visitors want to see the Hector Pieterson memorial, Nelson Mandela's old house and other heritage sites. Because of the large number of visitors, "a dire need has arisen to establish trading, cultural, entertainment and overnight centres in Soweto", says Nxumalo.

Ubuntu Kraal is one kilometre from the Hector Pieterson memorial and within walking distance of Mandela's old house, as well as the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Says Nxumalo: "Ubuntu Kraal will complement rather than compete with existing businesses."

Ubuntu Kraal is situated at 11846 Senokoanyana Street in Orlando West, Soweto and its office is open from 6am to 6pm. Evening functions can also be arranged.

For information on hiring the venue contact Sidwell Nxumalo on 083 271 5096

additional pictures for use in article (from http://www.joburgnews.co.za/2004/feb/feb20_kraal.stm ):