FUTURE LEADERS
CHALLENGE EXPERIENCE
TNA EATS @ Gemelli
TNA STAYS @ RIVERHORSE LODGE
EMBARKING ON A
JOURNEY THROUGH FOOD TOURISM
Welcome to the June issue of Tourism News Africa digital magazine! This month, we are delighted to present to you a captivating theme“Flavours of Africa: Embarking on a Gastronomic Journey through Food Tourism.”
In this edition, we are thrilled to showcase our exclusive full-length TNA Stays feature of our experience at Riverhorse Lodge. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Riverhorse Lodge and the unique experiences it has to offer, providing a glimpse into the rich tapestry of African hospitality.
Furthermore, we are excited to announce the official launch of our full TNA Eats feature at Gemelli. Indulge in a culinary adventure as we explore the diverse and vibrant flavours that Gemelli has to offer, tantalizing your taste buds and inviting you on a gastronomic exploration through the heart of Africa.
Tourism News Africa is honoured to have been the official media partner of the Future Leaders Challenge South Africa. We were truly inspired by the incredible talent and innovation showcased during the event, reinforcing our commitment to supporting and celebrating the next generation of leaders in the tourism industry.
At Tourism News Africa, we take pride in our involvement in promoting sustainable tourism practices, fostering community engagement, and highlighting the diverse cultural heritage of Africa. As we continue to champion excellence in the tourism sector, we look forward to sharing more inspiring stories and experiences with you, our valued readers.
Thank you for embarking on this journey with us and for your continued support of Tourism News Africa. Together, let us celebrate the beauty, diversity, and flavours of Africa through the lens of travel and tourism.
Warm regards,
Wade Scobbie Editor
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s the official media partner at the MEA Future Leaders Challenge South Africa, Tourism News Africa had the privilege of witnessing a convergence of brilliant minds from various South African tertiary educational institutions over two days of intense competition and collaboration at Hilton, Sandton. This event, known as the (MEA) Future Leaders Challenge, stands as a pinnacle platform dedicated to fostering a community that addresses future challenges in the hospitality and tourism industry while uniting the region around growth, learning, and industry attractiveness.
The Challenge provided a unique opportunity for industry leaders, students, government representatives, and universities to come together, offering a platform for development programs and networking prospects. The central theme this year posed a crucial question to participating teams: ‘How can the industry enhance the perception of tourism and hospitality senior leaders about the youth and make the industry more appealing to the younger generation (Gen Z)?’
Amongst the innovative solutions presented by the competing teams, the University of Pretoria emerged as the winners with a focus on the digital realm, presenting their unique podcast proposal. Following closely were The Swiss Hotel School in 2nd place and the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 3rd place, each offering distinct perspectives and actionable ideas to bridge the gap between industry leaders and the younger generation.
The 2-day event also saw the launch of the MEA School Directors Alliance, with a strong vision and mission to revolutionize talent development and workplace placement within the MEA region’s educational system. Together, they aim to provide clarity and support for careers and entrepreneurial endeavours in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. We see great potential in this initiative and were proud to be part of the pivotal first meeting between all 15 Higher Education Institutions involved.
Tourism News Africa takes immense pride in its role as the official media partner for such a vital event that brought together students, educational institutions, industry experts, and government officials. The collaborative spirit and innovative ideas showcased during the challenge reflect a promising future for the hospitality and tourism sector in the MEA region, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering industry engagement.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates as Tourism News Africa continues to support initiatives that drive positive change and growth within the hospitality and tourism industry across the MEA region.
For more info visit: https://meafutureleaderschallenge. com/
This might just be the ultimate African retreat for friends and family seeking an unforgettable getaway in South Africa.
Imagine embarking on a 20-minute safari drive, leading you to the luxurious African-inspired-Riverhorse Lodge, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of the Cradle of Humankind.
This unique 5 bedroom offering offers the perfect retreat for family & friends, nestled deep in the Greater Cradle Nature reserve, you truly are in a world away from any other.
The impeccable Safari Host Kevin is always at your service, catering to your every need, from arranging delectable locally sourced meals to serving drinks with a smile. His passion for the area provides guests with a deeper connection to the landscape around them.
During an interview, Kevin Khumalo said “ The heritage of this area is special to me, from the deep connection between the nature, the caves & the Tswana & Sotho people who were here before which signifies a strong relationship to the Bantu people and I’m glad our guests have the opportunity to experience this rich history.“
Kevin Khumalo Safari Host
Different to other offerings, a highlight of your stay includes game drives and the exclusive Human Origins Tour, providing exclusive access to 2 famous fossil dig sites in Gladysvale and Malapa, transporting you back millions of years to a world long gone.
Now, let’s talk about the Lodge itself. Each room exudes relaxation and comfort, while the lounge boasts contemporary furniture, creating an inviting atmosphere for socializing. The dining room and patio overlook the dam, nestled amidst lush trees and bush, providing the perfect backdrop for witnessing stunning sunsets in tranquil surroundings.
As the day winds down, unwind by the wood-fired hot tub and immerse yourself in the symphony of nature. It’s the ideal retreat, offering both privacy and serenity, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones in a magical setting.
Riverhorse Lodge offers an unparalleled escape into the heart of South Africa’s wilderness. From the warm hospitality and gourmet dining to the exhilarating safari adventures and outdoor experiences, every aspect of your stay promises to exceed expectations.
1.Can you tell us the story behind the creation of “Never Not Eating Good” and how the concept of a cloud kitchen restaurant came about?
Nevernoteatinggood is a name and brand that came so organically to me. It started during lockdown when I made delicious meals for my family while finding inspiration from theinternet.
I one day started saying “never not eating good” because I genuinely was never noteating good.
The concept of a cloud kitchen was motivated by the low operational costs of it all compared to abrick and mortar restaurant.
I then turned it into a profitable business and have been operating from the apartments I lived inever since. However, the restrictions of operating a food business from my home becamefrustrating as the business grew.
I was not able to accommodate all the orders that came in due to my kitchen not being big enough, the traffic it caused from customers waiting for their orders at the security gate, not making enough money to also employ more people etc.
I then started researching on cloud kitchens until I came across “collective kitchens”, in Johannesburg Sandton
2.What sets “Never Not Eating Good” apart from traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants in the industry?
One of the things that really sets us apart is being able to meet the demand of orders without having the sit down part of a restaurant.We are on uber eats and MrD like they would too.
But what really sets us apart is being able to at-
tract customers that solely focus on our foodrather then the aesthetics of a brick and mortar restaurant. We take our social media advertising /content creation really seriously. This helps us a lot in attracting walk-in customers from all overGauteng.
3.Could you walk us through the process of ordering from “Never Not Eating Good” and how customers receive their meals?
You are welcome to order through uber eats and MrD. Walk-ins are also welcome. We also dotake whatsapp orders for customers who would like to come and pick or send over and Uberconnect should they be out of the delivery radius.
4.What challenges did you face when starting a cloud kitchen restaurant, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for us at the moment is the supply versus demand on busy weekends.our brand is growing at an exponentially pace that the wait time for orders ranges between anhour to 2 and a half hours. customers are not too impressed by that. however, our equipment isnot big enough to make too many bulk orders in one go.the other challenge i can think of is not having a sit down area. it is a big limitation of ours. Peopleoften express how we should get a bigger space and how they would love to come and enjoy thefood fresh from the stove. But we unfortunately do not have enough capital to do so.
5. How do you ensure the quality and freshness of your food when operating solely from a cloud kitchen model?
operating from a cloud kitchen allows us to only focus on the food and nothing else.
6. In what ways do you utilize technology and data to optimize your operations and cater to customer preferences?
TikTok is one of the platforms that made the brand grow exponentially. The consumers on thatapp actually come and buy. From all 3 cities we have operates from (Cape Town, Pretoria andjoburg). When we have a reel that is trending from there, the sales of that weekend will match thesocial media numbers.Instagram ads are one of the things that help grow our sales as well. Word of mouth is also something that helps grow sales!
7. What expansion plans or future developments do you have in mind for your cloud kitchen restaurant concept?
The ultimate expansion would really be a brick and mortar restaurant, however that needs a lotof capital. However, something that is within reach would be expanding to different locationsusing the same cloud kitchen model.
8. How do you see the future of cloud kitchen restaurants evolving in the African culinary scene, and what role do you envision “Never Not Eating Good” playing in that landscape?
Cloud kitchens are honestly such an amazing concept. The start up cost of a brick and mortarrestaurant is really what is getting in the way of many small food businesses reaching their full potential. A cloud kitchen allows you to come into the space
with just your stock, labour and advertising and nothing else. The kitchen comes fully equipped.
I believe many small business can look at the growth of nevernoteatinggood and be inspired to operate from a cloud kitchen level. We are proof that location “kind of” doesn’t matter! Our cloud kitchen is somewhat hidden inwynberg but people still see our food on social media and insist on finding the place! We would attract so much more customers if we were in an open area. However, we hope our brand encourages investors to build more cloud kitchens for small business to grow into in areas that are more visible and easy to find.
Abigail Maboko Founder of Nevernoteatinggood
elcome to TNA Eats, your go-to digital destination for mouth-watering food reviews and culinary exploration! Led by the charismatic (low-key entertaining) host Jesse Morris, our dynamic team (lovely people) dives into the vibrant world of food, bringing you honest and entertaining reviews straight from the trendiest restaurants and hidden gems.
Whether it’s through our Instagram or our in-depth YouTube videos, TNA Eats serves up delicious content that keeps foodies and casual diners alike coming back for more.
At TNA Eats, we believe in celebrating food with a fresh perspective. Our reviews highlight everything from the presentation and flavours to the unique stories behind each dish, all while maintaining a conversational and engaging tone. We’re not just about eating; we’re about experiencing food in all its glory and sharing those moments with our ever-growing community.
Are you a restaurant owner looking to put your culinary creations in the spotlight? Partner with us and let TNA Eats showcase your menu to a dedicated audience that craves the next great meal. Reach out today to schedule a feature and let Jesse and his team bring your restaurant the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out—contact us now and join the TNA Eats journey!
Discover. Devour. Delight.
