Johannesburg - Cost-conscious South Africans and foreign visitors should add Satyagraha House to their bucket list.
It’s a must-visit “struggle tourism” destination hoping to lead a new trend to socially responsible fee structures within the local hospitality industry.
The guesthouse, museum and restaurant in Orchards, Johannesburg, is the only former home of Indian liberation leader the Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa to be preserved and restored.
Gandhi’s sense of social justice and alignment with the poor are also shared by the owner, French tour operator Voyageurs Du Monde.
Onsite manager Edna Oberholzer says: “Gandhi was against exploitation, waste and extravagance. We respect that tradition.
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“Our house is a gift from French social investors to the people of South Africa. As such, its objective is to attract as many overseas and local guests and visitors.
Hence, we refuse to play the ‘Rand game’ with its rates. Exploitation was not a trait advocated by Gandhi.”
This stance reflects the exasperation felt by Voyageurs Du Monde at the pricing practices of some hotels focused on foreign tourism.
Fabrice Dabouineau, a director of Satyagraha House and of its owner, the French tour operator, Voyaguers Du Mond, comments: “These hotels increase rates by 20 percent a year.
In 2015, the December rate rise was rapidly followed by another 20 percent rise to capitalise on the weak Rand – a 40 percent increase overall.
“Foreigners paying in euro or sterling may still find a South African vacation affordable, but we could not possibly exploit South Africa’s weak currency like this.”
The restored Satyagraha House has been open for five years. It is positioned as the big-hearted guesthouse that supports responsible tourism.
This year, after a modest five percent price increase, it will reach break-even point.
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Subsequent profits will be channelled into maintenance, investment in new facilities, social upliftment and a staff profit-share programme. Hospitality revenue is used to maintain the museum.
About 80 percent of house visitors are from overseas, primarily France.Gandhi developed many of his ideas of passive resistance in South Africa. Satyagraha House therefore has a revered place on the liberation tourism itinerary.
Part of its mission is to build greater local awareness of Gandhi and his work. Museum admission is free for South African visitors – another pricing practice that locals may wish other tourist destinations will follow.
To learn more, please visit http://www.satyagrahahouse.com
Adapted from a press release for IOL