A triumph over adversity

She has seen and lived it all - from being born into abject poverty to her husband being shot and her youngest daughter losing a leg to watching as her house burned to the ground – but today Maria Nyawula is running a successful business that is only one grade shy of being declared world class.

With a passion for her vision, but without a cent in her purse to back up her plans, Maria has managed to establish the thriving Victoria Manor Guest House on the outskirts of Queenstown.

The establishment was a hive of activity over the weekend as over 300 people joined in to celebrate the recognition of the guest house as the third runner-up in the Tourism South Africa Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (ETEYA) last month. Victoria Manor was the Eastern Cape winner of the ETEYA competition last year and thereby earned the right to represent the province in the national competition. In addition, finalists in the national competition won a week-long trip to Germany. The past few years have not been smooth sailing for the mother of two girls and a boy.

She has had to overcome personal tragedy after her policeman husband, William, was shot in the neck during political unrest in 1994. He was declared medically unfit, leaving the family with virtually no income.

Worse was to follow when youngest daughter, Sibongile, was diagnosed with bone cancer after being involved in a car accident. Facing escalating medical bills and the need to put food on the table, Maria was forced to accept a job as a child minder in Israel where she met Irish benefactors who agreed to sponsor her daughter’s medical treatment.

This positive turn of events almost went sour when she was not allowed to fly to Ireland with her daughter after Home Affairs officials seized her identity document and passport, claiming she was not South African. Instead, she was left behind while her husband took her daughter to have her leg amputated.

At this time, the family’s house was destroyed in a fire, but Maria refused to quit. “I knew I had to rise above the situation for the sake of my family. I believe all is possible through God’s grace,” she said.

In 2004, she converted the family’s home into the Milner Guest House – a move met with great success. Two years later she bought Victoria Manor Guest House – an accommodation establishment which was recently awarded a four-star grading - one star away from being recognized as having world class facilities.

She roped in the services of marketing consultant Jabu Mofokeng to help with the design of a marketing plan for Victoria Manor.

Jabu has been instrumental in the design of the business logo, brochures, business cards, building of the company profile and setting up a website.

“The local Small Enterprise Development Agency funded the development of the brochures,” Jabu said.

The district municipality donated computers, air conditioners, television sets, fridges and microwaves to the tune of R96 000 to Victoria Manor during the event. CHDM councillor Mxolisi Koyo said the district authority had identified tourism as key to transformation. The municipality was involved in training people in aspects including business management, customer care and hospitality.

“It is our responsibility to assist businesses that, in turn, ensure that job creation initiatives are implemented.”

Lukhanji councillor Janet Birch commended Maria on her achievements, saying tourism played a huge role in the improvement of local economies and poverty alleviation. She said hard work combined with dedication was required for success. Maria said her short-term plans included adding an auditorium, more bedrooms and a swimming pool to Victoria Manor. For more information log on to www.victoriamanorgh.co.za.

dispatch.co.za, 15 June 2009