The South African Township and Village Tourism Organisation (SATOVITO) has announced that Sakhumzi Maqubela, the visionary entrepreneur behind the legendary Sakhumzi Restaurant on Vilakazi Street, Soweto, will be among the headline speakers at the 4th Annual Township and Village Tourism Intra-Trade Conference, taking place from 13–14 November 2025 at the Donga Boutique Hotel in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Celebrating Township Innovation and Global Recognition
- A Speaker Who Embodies SATOVITO’s Vision
- A Conference with Purpose: From Dialogue to Action
- Sakhumzi’s Legacy Expands Beyond Soweto
- The Broader Goal: Turning Township Heritage into Global Capital
- The Perfect Backdrop: Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
- How to Attend
This year’s conference carries special significance as SATOVITO marks its fifth anniversary, celebrating five years of impact in advancing township and village tourism across South Africa.
Celebrating Township Innovation and Global Recognition
Few stories embody the spirit of township enterprise like that of Sakhumzi Maqubela, born in 1971 in Meadowlands, Soweto. After losing both parents at age 14, Maqubela channelled resilience and ambition into entrepreneurship. In 2001, he transformed a humble home-cooked meal for friends into what would become one of South Africa’s most celebrated township restaurants.
Situated between Nelson Mandela’s former home (now a museum) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s old residence, Sakhumzi Restaurant has grown from a small eatery into a cultural landmark — a culinary destination that welcomes more than 450 patrons daily and employs over 65 full-time staff.
A Speaker Who Embodies SATOVITO’s Vision
At the SATOVITO Conference, Maqubela will share his journey of building a globally recognised township brand rooted in community, culture, and culinary excellence. His story mirrors SATOVITO’s mission: empowering township and village businesses to move from dialogue to action, creating tangible growth and sustainable impact.
“Township tourism isn’t just about food or sightseeing — it’s about telling our stories, creating jobs, and restoring dignity through enterprise,” Maqubela has often emphasised in his public talks.
Through his leadership, Sakhumzi Restaurant has become a model for local economic development — supporting families, youth, local suppliers, and craft traders while inspiring township entrepreneurs to think globally.
A Conference with Purpose: From Dialogue to Action
Hosted under the theme “Township and Rural Tourism Development,” the 2025 SATOVITO Conference will bring together over 500 delegates from across the country, including tourism practitioners, policymakers, and small business owners.
The event will be hosted in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, following a successful bid facilitated by the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB).
Sakhumzi’s Legacy Expands Beyond Soweto
Building on the success of the Vilakazi Street flagship, Maqubela recently expanded his brand to two new locations — Phefeni (Soweto) and Sakhumzi Zoo Lake in Parkview, Johannesburg.
The Zoo Lake branch, launched in partnership with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), has quickly become a popular urban retreat that blends culinary heritage, green space revitalisation, and social enterprise. The partnership represents a model of how public-private collaboration can drive community upliftment while preserving Johannesburg’s iconic open spaces.
The Broader Goal: Turning Township Heritage into Global Capital
Maqubela’s participation at the SATOVITO Conference underscores a central truth — township and village tourism are not secondary markets, but essential pillars of South Africa’s tourism economy. His restaurant’s success demonstrates how authentic local experiences, if properly supported, can achieve global recognition and attract sustainable investment.
As township tourism continues to evolve, stories like Maqubela’s offer a roadmap for transforming informal businesses into thriving enterprises that generate employment, inspire pride, and boost South Africa’s international tourism appeal.
The Perfect Backdrop: Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
The 2025 SATOVITO Conference will take place in Ladysmith, a town steeped in Zulu culture and home to the globally acclaimed Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The setting reflects the spirit of the conference — authentic, community-driven, and deeply connected to South Africa’s cultural heritage.
Delegates can expect immersive cultural experiences, knowledge-sharing sessions, and collaboration opportunities designed to strengthen township and rural tourism networks nationwide.
How to Attend
Attendance is free, and interested participants can RSVP or register via Confspot: https://confspot.co.za/list/township-and-village-intra-trade-conference
For media or partnership enquiries, contact tumi@satovito.org or visit www.satovito.org.
