< Back Thusie Pather Owner and Founder of Golf Course Boutique Guest House Thusie Pather is the owner and founder of Golf Course Boutique Guest House, she says with a smile that carries both pride and gratitude. Situated in the tranquil suburb of Mount Edgecombe, the guest house is just a short walk from the Mount Edgecombe Country Club and driving range. With thirteen beautifully appointed bedrooms, the guest house is a haven for both business and leisure travellers. Thusie’s journey into hospitality is deeply personal and inspired by her love for people and travel. “I love travelling, and I love staying in hotels and guest houses,” she explains. “I decided to open my own guest house because I love being around people. It felt like a natural step for me.” Growing up in a close-knit Indian household, Thusie learned the art of hospitality from her parents. “My parents were always very hospitable. We always had relatives staying over, sharing meals, laughter, and stories. That sense of warmth and togetherness inspired me to create a space where guests could feel the same kind of homeliness and happiness,” she recalls. Today, that very ethos defines the atmosphere at Golf Course Boutique Guest House. From the moment guests arrive, they are welcomed not just into a property, but into a home. BUILDING A BRAND Thusie’s focus on high service standards has become the cornerstone of her success. “I am very hands-on in my business to ensure the service levels are maintained,” she explains. “I also encourage my staff to uphold those same standards, and that’s why our guests return time and time again.” The guest house enjoys a loyal following of corporate and leisure clients. “Our guests always compliment us on the cleanliness of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff,” Thusie says proudly. “It is very rewarding when they come back not only a second time, but three or four times. That tells me we are doing something right.” Such consistency has not gone unnoticed. Golf Course Boutique Guest House holds a four-star grading from the Tourism Grading Council and has been recognised as a benchmark property, even earning an invitation to exhibit at the prestigious Travel Indaba for the past three years. “That was such an honour,” Thusie reflects. “It really validated the hard work we have put in.” Further testament to her commitment is the guest house’s impressive online reputation. “On Booking.com, we have maintained a 9.2 out of 10 rating for service levels for the past three years,” she shares. “It means a lot because those scores come directly from guests’ feedback.” In 2024, the guest house received the Durban Tourism Award for Service Excellence in the non-hotel category. “That was one of our proudest moments,” she says warmly. “It reminded us that dedication and passion do get recognised.” For Thusie, maintaining excellence requires constant reflection and adaptation. “We look at every review, good or bad,” she explains. “We take every comment seriously and see it as an opportunity to improve. Training our staff regularly ensures we stay consistent and grow as a team.”Her vision for the future is clear. “My dream is to build a strong brand and a reputation for exceptional service,” she says. “I want people to know they can always find a place that feels like home when they come to Golf Course Boutique Guest House. I also hope to expand and offer more services in the future.” OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Like many small business owners, Thusie faced significant challenges, particularly during the early days of her venture. “I opened during the Covid period,” she recalls. “It was a very uncertain time, and I had to adapt quickly. There were so many changes, but I was determined to make it work.” Operational costs, including rising utility bills and marketing expenses, continue to pose difficulties. “Marketing is very costly for a small business,” she admits. “But we find creative ways to overcome these challenges. Exceptional service is our biggest marketing tool because word of mouth brings guests back and attracts new ones. Her resilience and adaptability have been key to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. “You learn as you go,” she says with a quiet confidence. “I did not have a background in hospitality when I started, but I believed in myself. You face challenges, overcome them, and you grow stronger through each experience.” To aspiring entrepreneurs, Thusie offers heartfelt advice. “Start small, work hard, and never give up,” she says firmly. “You do not need to have everything figured out at the beginning. When I started, I did not think I could run a guest house, but with time and effort, I learned. The most rewarding part is seeing how far you have come.”Running a guest house, she adds, is not for the fainthearted. “It is a 24/7 job. There is always something happening, and you have to be available,” she admits. “But despite the challenges, it is incredibly fulfilling. You meet people from all walks of life, learn about their journeys, and share in their stories. Every day brings something new.” Amid her busy schedule, Thusie remains mindful of balance. “I make time for my child and my spiritual practices,” she shares. “Meditation and attending spiritual meetings help me stay centred. It reminds me to be grateful and to approach my work with kindness and calm.” Her story is one of determination, faith, and the enduring spirit of hospitality. From her humble beginnings rooted in family warmth to her growing recognition in the tourism industry, Thusie embodies what it means to lead with heart. As she looks toward the future, her ambitions remain grounded in service and sincerity. “This journey is still new,” she says thoughtfully. “The guest house is only four years old, but I have big dreams. I want to keep growing, keep improving, and keep welcoming guests who feel at home here. That is what true hospitality is all about. Previous Next

MARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and head trainer of We Train Revolution, which is an obstacle, boxing and strength training facility, for children, level one beginners as well as elite athletesMariska Grace JamesMARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and head trainer of We Train Revolution, which is an obstacle, boxing and strength training facility, for children, level one beginners as well as elite athletesMARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and head trainer of We Train Revolution, which is an obstacle, boxing and strength training facility, for children, level one beginners as well as elite athletes. Her role is to oversee the facilities, create programmes, run classes, liaise with clients, provide massage treatments, and to give obstacle course racing coaching. Mariska comes from a South African netball back-ground and reflected that she had trained hard and been excited about pushing boundaries. We Train Revolution was started in 2009. Mariska says that she could never have gotten to where she is today without the people in her life who supported her dreams and believed in her. She explains, 'I was on a journey looking for some-thing new. I was in decorating for ten years and had reached a quiet patch. A friend asked me to train her. Then another friend asked and within six months I had 70 clients. From there the dream just built, and I studied to be a personal trainer." At that time Mariska only had six yoga mats, and she went to her clients' houses for one on one training. Unfortunately, she got very sick during this time and had to change her strategy. "Instead of one on one training, I started looking for venues to do group training. I found a venue and my business just grew from there." Mariska ran five venues, from Ballito to Hillcrest, offering weight training, boxing and strength train-ing. She has since downscaled and operates in only one venue but has increased her services to offer obstacle course racing training. Obstacle course racing Her husband, who was one of her clients, introduced Mariska to obstacle course racing as a sport after she had been ill and was on the mend. "I entered the Warrior Race and was hooked. I knew that I wanted to incorporate my passion for obstacle course racing into the gym and wanted to build my own course." Initially, Mariska struggled to find a venue with the space that was needed to house an obstacle course. "Once I had found a venue, construction started slowly as I had no money to start building the course. I asked on our internal We Train Revolution group if anyone had gum poles lying around and the construction project took off from there." Mariska ascribes her business success to her members who have become friends. "My members have shared my dream, believed in me, and stuck by me, especially through the many changes when I was sick. We Train Revolution is a true fitness family." A strong mental fortitude In reflecting on who has inspired her, Mariska says that she feels inspired by the people around her who believe in her and her dreams. "I believe God puts dreams in my heart, and I make sure I stay within God's calling each day. Once I have a dream, I set goals for myself and because I have been gifted with a strong mental fortitude, I get to where I want to be." Commenting on whether women must have a different approach than men to be successful, Mariska says that she thinks it is natural for women to have a different approach to business than men. "Women and men deal with people differently based on their perspectives and bring a different dynamic to business. We are more sensitive, but also have more of a fighting spirit, and we just make things happen. No matter how we feel, we get the job done." Mariska says that she is very grateful for what she has accomplished so far which she would have not done without her support base. "Every accomplishment is a gift that I don't take for granted." However, she would like to obtain more exposure for the course as well as her gym by growing her 'fitness family'. "We have this incredible course and I would love to see more clients as well as more trainers enjoying the use of the facility. We are so welcoming to any new person of any fitness level." Mariska would also like to increase the number of people participating in the races - obstacle wars - which are held there. Enjoy what you do Commenting on her efforts to achieve a work-life balance Mariska says that she has learnt the hard way. "I believe I was previously so sick because I had no balance. For four years I was sick, unable to exercise, which is my passion, and I had to re-evaluate my priorities in life." Now Mariska tries to rest during the day and remembers to unplug in the evenings after classes. "As you are dealing with people, work-life balance is crucial in this industry, you can't be tired or have a bad mood." In addition, having a personal assistant also helps in taking some of the workload off Mariska. What advice would she give her younger self if she could in this moment? "I would say that you are good enough and that you can't please everyone and its ok. Your life is filled with a lot of different personalities and sometimes you must just accept that you tried your best. Remember, to enjoy life and enjoy what you do. Not everything needs to be done in one day and accept where you are at presently and live in the moment." Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

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< Back KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio Free consultancy 30 minutes Book Now About KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio 2022 The Portfolio’s ongoing success has been achieved through the use of a number of methods including a comprehensive and well ranked multimedia website which is well optimised on a variety of search engines, an A5 hard copy handbook as well as a digital version, social media tools and a growing series of videos. The Top Business Portfolio: · Provides an opportunity to both emphasize your contribution to the province’s economy and market your products and services · Reaches a targeted audience of potential international investors and local companies and organisations at extremely competitive rates · Highlights news, developments and opportunities through regular e-mails that are sent to an established database · Ensures that your brand is kept visible through content search engine optimisation (SEO) services. On-page SEO involves everything that audiences see on the website and the various social media platforms we use. Off-page SEO is driven by the ranking of the various channels and the traffic that is driven to these channels. Previous Next