Sangoma by day and flourishing host by night, granny Jacky Moli provides an out-of-the-ordinary experience at Kwa-Moli B&B in Joza. As she leads a small party through the basic townshipstyled accommodation, children and dogs dart around, absorbed in their own playful activities.
Sangoma by day and flourishing host by night, granny Jacky Moli provides an out-of-the-ordinary experience at Kwa-Moli B&B in Joza. As she leads a small party through the basic townshipstyled accommodation, children and dogs dart around, absorbed in their own playful activities.
With three similar establishments surrounding them, Moli says competition is tough. “Our busiest time is during the Grahamstown Festival,” she says, recalling that about 10 people have stayed with her this year.
The National Arts Festival attracts thousands of people of all cultures and many have stopped by to experience the customary South African homestay.
“Kwa Moli is not a guest house in the conventional sense,” says Moli. The idea is for visitors to stay with the family, in this case a granny, daughter, four young boys and a little girl. “They are a full time job,” she laughs. “Too much. Sometimes I just go quiet and say nothing.”
Recently the municipality has approached Moli with the offer to help sell her house for a good price. “But I’m not interested. This is where I want to stay. I want to be able to leave something for my grandchildren,” she says.
The brick duplex is lively and overflows with colourful African décor. Four neat rooms are tastefully adorned, offering a choice between a double bed and two twin beds.
You can expect to share stories and experiences around the dinner table while the Moli clan serves a traditional dinner of samp and beans, stew and stywe pap.
With overnight costs of R250 per person and R100 for dinner, Kwa Moli appeals mainly to holidaymakers and tourists. As a result, business is often slow and the lack of a steady income takes its toll on the household.
Despite some tough times, Granny Moli flashes a brilliant smile, “I don’t think things will get better, I know they will.”
Moli has one particularly fond memory of a group of Australians who stayed for three days in 2008. “We had a lot of fun and got to know people who live in a completely different way,” she says fondly.
Kwa-Moli bed & breakfast has been open since 2005 and the family hopes their client base will continue to grow.
