Cape Town - Local tourism outfit Stellenbosch 360 offers travellers a first-hand experience of what the town’s Kayamandi township has to offer through tours on foot, as part its Route 360 cultural tourism initiative.
Kayamandi, which means “sweet home” in Xhosa, is a pulsing community close to the town centre, and is the first of several townships nearby to offer their own cultural township tours, conducted by Route 360 and designed to show off inherent talent and natural resources.
Route 360 takes people into the hearts and homes of six Stellenbosch communities, offering visitors a slice of the locals’ lifestyle, traditions and tastes.
The Route 360 Kayamandi Township Tours offer tailormade packages ranging from performing and visual arts, to hands-on cooking and baking.
One can, for example, enrol for a private Xhosa cooking lesson with Mama Swartbooi in her home, watch as a “smiley” (sheep’s head) is prepared, or share some love and green fingers at the communal Foodpods vegetable hub.
The nearby areas of Cloetesville, Ida’s Valley, Jamestown, Klapmuts and Raithby are also on Stellenbosch 360’s tourism charts for the future.
Ann Heyns, Stellenbosch 360’s development manager, said: “Our Route 360 Township Tours are not only a vehicle for socio-economic transformation, we also unearth and showcase emerging entrepreneurs and talent while we share with tourists the rich and diverse cultural tapestry of Stellenbosch.”
l For further information call Ann Heyns of Stellenbosch 360 at 021 883 3584, e-mail [email protected] or visit the information centre at 36 Market Street.
Cape Argus