GALLERY: Hidden jewels in the South wait to be discovered
The recent SOJO Jewels of the South Tourism Tour was organised by SOJO Business and Tourism who are passionate about the betterment and growth of business and tourism in the South.
With the tourism sector taking strain through this pandemic, SOJO embarked on arranging the tourism tour to help spread awareness of and highlight the jewels of the South.
“As SOJO, we are driving the campaign to support local,” enthused Nicky Vakaloudis, CEO of SOJO Business and Tourism.
“It is important to us, as part of this campaign, to showcase the many jewels we have in the South. This tour highlights just a few of the incredible places and activities we have available here in the South of Joburg.”
The tour began at the breathtaking Thaba Eco Hotel and Spa. After welcome drinks, the VIPs enjoyed a game drive where they saw an abundance of buck and bird life with a scenic backdrop.
Talented artist Esther Simonis gave the VIPs a personal tour and explained her inspiration behind the meditation trail and art pieces she created at Thaba. Each VIP was gifted with the author’s book named Art on the Rocks and was personally autographed by Esther herself.
They were then taken to the E-bar at Thaba Eco Hotel with breathtaking views overlooking the pool – the perfect place to enjoy sundowners.
The CEO of Thaba Eco Hotel, Reuben Louw, gave a talk on their Thaba Lifestyle vision and the new Thaba Eco-Village development that is underway, including the first Green Eco-Bridge in SA.
Dinner was then enjoyed at the Kraal Restaurant before the VIPs retired for the night at Thaba Eco Hotel.
The next morning, Group 1 Renault The Glen transported the VIP influencers in the spacious seven-seater Triber, the Renault Megane and Renault Duster to the next jewel, Mall of the South.
With extra wide spaces and loads of natural light, Mall of the South is one of the most beautiful malls in Gauteng.
Just Darling Coffee shop treated everyone to breakfast and they each received a goodie bag filled with goodies from the Simply Fresh Organic Market and Mall of the South.
Group 1 Renault The Glen then transported the VIPs back to Thaba where they visited the new home of Sinzinani Spa. It is breathtaking with panoramic cliff top views. The next stop was the place of thrills, Gold Reef City, where guests received red-carpet treatment and were treated to cocktails and lunch at V&V.
They were then taken to the Prive Room at the Gold Reef City Casino where they participated in a thrilling Charity Tournament of Roulette and Black Jack.
Feron Somiah, Gold Reef City marketing manager, handed over R20 000 prize to the winner of the Gold Reef City Charity Casino Challenge, Samantha Retief, who selected Cotlands as the charity of choice.
“Gold Reef City will donate R20 000 to Cotlands towards their needs” stated Feron. “We are privileged to be a part of the Jewels of the South Tourism Tour and to be able to make a contribution to charity in its honour.”
Richard Bennet, chairperson of SOJO and marketing director of iProp, talked about the massive developments, infrastructure and investment that is underway in the South.
The perfect end to this unforgettable tour was a visit to the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) where the VIPs were welcomed to their lush gardens for a refreshing drink and snacks.
CEO Adele Hartdegen and GM Hannes Venter gave a talk about the JEC, South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition, conference, convention and events venue, the home of the Rand Show.
The VIPs also got to tour the JEC in golf carts and drove a safe distance past the medical centre which the JEC provided for the overflow of Covid-19 patients. Over 700 patients were treated there.
“The influencers have been stunned with the beauty and vast array of tourism activities in the South,” beamed Nicky. “We are grateful to our partners for making the SOJO Jewels of the South Tourism Tour such a success. We are already planning the next one!”
Influencers from all over Gauteng who were invited were Michelle D (travel presenter), Wild In SA and Bachelor SA, Adele Koolen (luxury brands editor for Bloss Magazine), Keketso Mthethwa (brand ambassador for Luxuria Magazine), Enolicia Strever (Mrs SA runner up 2019), Nelson D’Brito (brand ambassador for dimanzi perfumes) and Michelange Katende, Samantha Retief (Mrs SA finalist 2019 and Woman of Stature finalist), Jacques Terre’blanche – Idols runner up and celebrity Survivor SA), Tandi Potgieter (Mrs SA Mrs Personality 2019) and Karou Charou (SA comedian).
• Photographs by Red Chilli Motion.
