Homeowners cash in on army’s presence in Thohoyandou

Homeowners and guest house businesses in Thohoyandou and surrounding areas have cashed in a lot in the past four weeks due to the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Armed Forces Day parade events that took place in the rural Limpopo town. Mpho Makhanu, who owns two houses in Thohoyandou but lives full-time in Polokwane, said he was approached by the SANDF officials who told him they need accommodation for their members as most BnB’s and guest houses in the area were full. One of the properties is a double story house, situated in a quiet and serene part of Thohoyandou.

It has a double garage and a swimming pool. Inside it has a widely spacious planned furnished kitchen, dining and TV area and a working space (with desks and white chairs). At the back, it has a sliding door that leads to a manicured garden where guests can work and relax.

It has five bedrooms and two bathrooms that have both a shower and a bathtub. He also hired a chef that could cook for the guests, at their request. “I had over 12 people spread between my two houses.

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I don’t recall the exact numbers because my wife is the one who handled the booking of the people and payments. “We rented out rooms for R1,200 for a standard room, per person, including breakfast. We have had people staying in our place since January 11.

While some paid in cash by themselves, for some we had to send an invoice to theSANDFfor them to pay. This army event has been a good thing for many people in Thohoyandou, especially those with rooms in their yards they could rent out,” said Makhanu. A member of the SANDF, who asked not to be named, said some of his colleagues were staying in houses where they paid R1,000 per night excluding breakfast.

“I got to Thohoyandou around the 11th of January and we have been staying here ever since. I am part of the advanced group, escorting a high-profile official from the SANDF.

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