New Premier Hotel a testimony of what women leaders can achieve

On Thursday, 29 August, as Women’s Month came to an end, a living monument to what women entrepreneurs can achieve opened its doors in Thohoyandou. The new Premier Hotel Thohoyandou, built at a cost of almost R200 million, promises to set a new benchmark for the tourism industry in Vhembe.

The four-star hotel, with 120 rooms and constructed under the prestigious Premier Hotels and Spa brand, has a distinctive feature – its owner and the person responsible for the construction work is a woman, the dynamic Ms Tsakani Masia.

The hotel spans nearly 8,700 square metres of usable space and is a mixture of luxury and eco-friendliness. It boasts a striking stone facade, energy-efficient systems and responsible water-management practices.

The hotel is expected to serve as a hub for both business and leisure travellers and features a versatile conference space capable of hosting up to 450 delegates. It includes a dedicated business suite, a sophisticated bar and restaurant with a wine bar, an outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art gym.

The opening of this hotel marks a significant milestone, not only for the tourism sector but also for the local community. Beyond the 85 permanent positions created across various hotel operations, an additional 30 to 40 contract and part-time roles will further boost the local economy. Before it opened, the project generated more than 400 temporary jobs during construction.

The hotel was built at a cost of R194 million, with R141 million financed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the remainder by the owner. The new Premier Hotel Thohoyandou also represents the largest formal hotel accommodation in the province.

“It has been a privilege to have been afforded a unique opportunity by the Premier Group to work with them as both our technical guide during construction and our operator upon completion. We requested from them a kind of business relationship they had not had in the past, and they agreed,” Masia said.

“We are also humbled by the confidence demonstrated by the IDC when they approved funding. This augurs well for the transformation project this country has embarked on, which is underpinned by the empowerment of women,” Masia added.

Sigal Nassimov, chief operating officer of Premier Hotels & Resorts, expressed her enthusiasm: “Premier Hotels & Resorts remains committed to expanding its footprint into previously marginalised areas, aiming to stimulate local economies like that of Thohoyandou. Partnering with remarkable entrepreneurs such as Ms Masia is integral to our strategy of growth and empowerment across South Africa.”

The opening ceremony was attended by senior government leaders and other notable business sector leaders, including Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC for Education Ms Mavhungu Luruli-Ramakhanya, University of Venda Principal Prof Bernard Nthambeleni and Judge Thembile Joyini of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

(Information supplied by Mulalo Mathelemusa on behalf of Premier Hotel Thohoyandou)

Date:07 September 2024

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