FTTSA Special Feature MADI A THAVHA FARM LODGE

Uncovering and furthering Venda and Tsonga art and crafts:

Fruitful partnerships with the communities

 You will find Madi a Thavha mountain farm lodge in a beautiful and quiet valley of the southern

slopes of the Soutpansberg mountain range in Limpopo province. Just as many other lodges Madi a Thavha offers all the hospitality services that most people like to experience on a holiday, break away or business trip.

Guests can enjoy farm-style living and nature, stylish and bright accommodation and facilities, and the warm hospitality and supportive attitude of the staff. Madi a Thavha is graded as a 4 star lodge.

What makes Madi a Thavha such a special place to stay, is their commitment to Fair Trade principles. After being operational for just two years they were awarded the FTTSA certification thanks to their tr

aining and supporting of unskilled staff from rural villages to work as a house keeper, handy man and tour guide. Offering training opportunities is not only limited to the hospitality staff; many artists and crafters in the rural villages around Madi a Thavha benefit from programmes that contribute to the improvement of their small businesses.

The Venda and Tsonga people are artistically minded and their creative skills are very well developed. They work with wood, clay, textile and paper and guests can visit the homesteads and workshops of many artists such as Thomas Kubayi (woodcarving and music instruments), Twananani (traditional textiles), and Rebecca Matibe (clay pots and objects) and many other Venda and Tsonga artists in the rural villages.

Madi a Thavha supports the artists and crafters by contributing to product development and marketing. Training and inspirational gatherings with the artists are organised at Madi a Thavha and artists are visited and supported at their workplaces.

A permanent exhibition about Venda and Tsonga Arts and Crafts at Madi a Thavha mountain farm lodge is a new initiative to promote the work of the artists and crafters. Most of the art pieces and craft products that are exhibited are for sale, but orders can be placed if anyone wishes requests a unique product. A collection of art work, home decoration products, jewellery and small gifts are displayed in and around the farm house of the lodge.

Madi a Thavha Design is a small workshop that operates at the lodge, producing home decoration products and gifts, made from the famous Venda fabrics or decorated with traditional beading and embroidery techniques. All guest rooms and the facilities of the lodge are decorated with local art and crafts and the women of Madi a Thavha Design made all the curtains, table and bed linen. Guests can buy these items directly from the women who create them.

The rich culture of the area makes it possible to offer the guests a pure African experience. People can make day trips on their own or join one of the tour programmes and guided by Madi a Thavha qualified tour guides.

The partnerships with the artists and crafters in the community are based on equality. Madi a Thavha supports the artists and the artists give the guests of Madi a Thavha the opportunity to visit them in their homesteads. In the mean time the guests buy from the artists and this makes these partnerships so fruitful.

Stay in beautiful Limpopo

Portfolio applauds the work done by  all at Madi A Thavha and recommend this delightful accommodation in Limpopo.

To book, contact Portfolio''s Online Reservations team.