Polokwane’s tourism landscape has been transformed with the launch of the Atrium Boutique Hotel, a 4-star, black-owned and women-led establishment that embodies resilience, community spirit and inclusive growth.
The luxury hotel, co-founded by husband-and-wife duo Matodzi Joseph and Lesetja Johanna Mukwevho, represents not only a business milestone but also a family legacy in the making.
For the Mukwevhos, the Atrium Boutique Hotel is the culmination of years of entrepreneurial drive, underpinned by strong partnerships with government funding institutions and unwavering community support.
“The municipality has been with us, from sod-turning to the day we opened our doors. We really appreciate the municipality’s support.”
The couple, both former educators, have successfully transitioned from the classroom to the boardroom. Today, they oversee a group of companies spanning different industries, employing over 610 people, the majority of whom are women. Their latest venture, the Atrium Boutique Hotel, alone has created 48 jobs, far exceeding their original target of 26.
Johanna, who holds a majority stake in the hotel, said their success is rooted in community support.
“We rely on our customers and clients. Let me just say, we value you, we appreciate you. Because of you, our businesses are not white elephants,” said Johanna.
The development of the Atrium Boutique Hotel was made possible through a carefully structured funding arrangement that demonstrates how transformation in the hospitality industry can be achieved through blended capital.
The project received a R10 million loan from the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), a R5 million grant from the Tourism Transformation Fund, and an additional R9.8 million loan from the Tourism Equity Fund, channelled through the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).
This combination of grants and loans reduced the barriers to entry, allowing the Mukwevhos to turn their long-held dream into reality.
Johanna said the couple had been nurturing the idea of the hotel since 2015 but could not move forward without government support.
“We had the plan but we couldn’t move forward. But because of our government, because of the NEF, because of SEDFA, we are here today. They took that dream and made it a reality in 2024, and for that, we are appreciative. Because of this business, other businesses mushroomed. The business is new but it has already given birth to other businesses and created employment,” explained Johanna.
Division of responsibilities
Despite their many ventures, the couple maintain a clear division of responsibilities.
“Between us, I have my role and she has her role… People always call me and I tell them I’m not involved in hiring and firing. If I were to be responsible for that, I’d end up hiring everyone. She looks at the budget and decides how we approach it. My job is to go out to the field and make sure that things happen. I think it’s a very nice combination,” Joseph said.
The family also has stakes in the Greenery Shopping Centre in Polokwane, further reinforcing their belief in the city’s economic potential.
“We believe that Polokwane offers us opportunities to grow. According to us, Polokwane is the best place for investment,” Joseph beamed.
For Johanna, one of the most rewarding aspects of the hotel is creating opportunities for young, inexperienced workers.
“I enjoy giving opportunities to inexperienced staff. It gives me satisfaction to see people reach their full potential,” Johanna concluded.
Visit www.atriumboutiquehotel.co.za for more information on the establishment.
For more information about the NEF visit www.nefcorp.co.za
SEDFA can be reached at www.sedfa.org.za
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