Cape Town – Annette Skaap is not your ordinary woman.
She has a vision and an acute eye for business – which is her primary passion.
Annette was originally born in one of Cape Town’s first black townships, Langa, where she spent her formative years before her family decided to relocate to the second most biggest township in South Africa, Khayelitsha.
This is where she met her partner in business and pioneer in the entertainment and lifestyle movement of Khayelitsha- Bulelani Skaap, who is now her doting husband and father to their three young children.
Bulelani is affectionately known as Ace from his younger days of playing soccer on the dusty soccer fields of Khayelitsha.
The two have opened a first-of-its-kind business venture in Khayelitsha – a four-star boutique hotel called The Spade.
Excellence
The Spade hotel takes after the Skaaps’ multiple business ventures in the township – Ace Lounge which is the biggest premium night club in the neighborhood that garners visits from international tourists, Ace eParkin which is an outdoor chilling spot set against the backdrop of a carwash and the delectable Ace kitchen which offers a variety of scrumptious African cuisine and other miscellaneous offerings.
Annette is now the CEO of this new business venture. She holds a national diploma in Internal Auditing from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. In pursuit of excellence, she is also currently studying at the long-distance institution University of South Africa enrolling in a BCom in Accounting Science.
The Spade offers an in-house gym, spa, a heated outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and business services facilities.
There’s also complimentary shuttle services on offer, a fully stocked mini bar fridge with beverages.
The 13 suites of the boutique hotel features luxurious en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, unlimited WIFI, complimentary tea/coffee-making facilities, Smart TV, hairdryer, a safe and an access to M-Net and DStv.
Wide-ranging menu
Annette says her patrons will be offered a wide-ranging menu to select from when they book into the hotel.
“Our menu has contemporary influences of African and French dishes. The chef has incorporated her personal touch, with imaginative concepts into tangible forms, marrying the perfect balance of unique flavours and textures. With such a creative menu, diners will get a glimpse of the creativity,” says the woman with a legion of followers on social media.
She adds: “At The Spade restaurant and bar, guests have the option to choose from the Buffet Breakfast, Ala Carte menu or treat themselves to a variety of dishes from our African cuisine.”
Her Instagram account stands at 54.1 thousand followers – that is a bigger followership on social media than most South African celebrities.
She is a brand.
Luxury in the heart of Khayelitsha
“Our guests will experience luxury in the heart of Khayelitsha. They will feast on African cuisine and share spaces with ordinary South Africans,” she says when asked about what is unique about the establishment.
“There’s nothing more African than being amongst Africans, experiencing how they live and maneuver. Being in Khayelitsha gives you a chance to the cuisine, the people and spaces.”
Asked about the meaning behind the name of the hotel, she says:
“We wanted to preserve the Kwa Ace brand. Our logo borrows from their logo. There would be no hotel without Kwa-Ace. So Ace is my husband’s nick name when he played football. He was called Ace,” she says.
Challenges
Annette admits they have faced a lot of challenges owing to the global pandemic.
“It shifted our entire business model and inspired us to lay our eggs in more than one basket. For 14 years, our main business was Kwa- Ace. The establishment of the hotel is a new venture and expansion of our portfolio.
“I think our focus is now surviving the pandemic. Covid-19 seems like it is here to stay. We have to find ways to live around it. It is our new normal,” Annette says.
The former flight attendant who spent a decade in the aviation industry says the existence of the hotel will contribute immensely to township economy through job creation.
She says the purpose of the establishment was very intentional. They not only saw it as accommodation but an economic development activity. Through their use of black businesses for construction, interior design and other amenities such as outsourcing defusers, candles ect for their hotel, they have put bread on many struggling families’ tables.
Staff members
The Spade has 18 staff members in total and she says they are planning to employ 20 people in total.
“We have employed men, women, and youths for an array of positions such as housekeeping, reception, front desk, chefs, admin, etc. All our staff are mainly recruited from Khayelitsha and surrounding areas,” she says.
What next is in store for the Skaaps?
“We want to develop more projects that will continue to uplift and put Khayelitsha on the map. I would love to start an organisation where I can empower young girls and women,” she says.
Regarding the high crime rate in the townships and for those who are sceptical about a four-star hotel in the township she says:
“We have beefed up security. Security will be available 24/7.
“We have surveillance cameras all around the property. We also have electric fencing around the property. Additionally, we have the community’s buy-in through forums and street communities. We have two nearby police stations,” she says
The Spade is 24km away from the Cape Town International Airport and 35km away from the central business district. The closest destination is the scenic Muizenberg which is a 26 minutes drive over a 21.6 km distance.
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Picture: Instagram/ nett_skp
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
