“Happy – Fun – Moving – Emotional – Informative – The highlight of our holiday – Never to be forgotten – Not to be missed.” These are some of the regular reviews that we receive from Emzini guests.
Come and make memories with us – come and make friends on the Emzini Township Tour that gives back to the community through its own Safe House for abused children.
Our Emzini Township Tour supports and looks after 17 children full time in Ella’s own home and the safe hour. Our Safe House is called Lukhanyiso Safe House and our township tour supports these children 100%. They all go to school in Knysna and we pay for all their education, living costs, food, clothes, medical bills through our township tour. Foreign guests love to know that part of the money they spend on their township tour goes back into the community.
Your hosts and guides are Ella, Penny and Vellem. On the face of it, townships seem to be sprawling, chaotic zones, overflowing with South Africa’s most disadvantaged citizens. This is true to some extent, but come on our Emzini Township Tour and you will delve deeper and recognise that townships are also places of great strength, courage, song, dance, survival, love and yes, happiness.
Over a period of three hours you will be picked up from Knysna and transported to the Knysna Township to see the best view of the famous Knysna Heads, meet many local shop owners in shipping containers, hairdressers, grocery stores and Jo the Cobbler, who fixes and makes shoes. You will visit the library, and meet many children in the township streets.
In the mornings we visit a Pre-School, teeming with exuberant, laughing children, where you will be given the most amazing welcome, and you will have no choice but to interact with them and for that, they will sing their joyous songs!
You will continue through the township and learn more about the Xhosa culture and let your guide answer any questions you have along the way. The next stop is at Ella’s house in the township for refreshments. This is where the name EMZINI really comes into action – as it means “at home” in Xhosa. While having a cup of tea, the Emzini Team will teach you some Xhosa phrases and sing the famous Xhosa Click song and others for you – and you can have a go on those drums yourself, and see just how difficult it is to get that rhythm!
And for those guests that feel uncomfortable about going into the Township, Emzini offers a Township Tour in Town! Experience the African vibe, visit an African hairdresser, pre-school, traditional clothing shop and a community upliftment programme. Enjoy an African tea/meal with Xhosa drumming, singing and Xhosa stories.
Meeting point: Knysna Waterfront under the clock.
Rates: R400.00 per adult and R200.00 per child. Payment by card or cash on site.