It has to be South Africa’s most unusual tourist attraction. The guesthouse serves no alcohol. Meat is not permitted on the restaurant menu.
Two staff members are allocated to each room, putting service standards on a par with those offered by luxury accommodation, yet a philosophy shaped by concern for the poor ensures rates are strictly controlled. Satyagraha House in Orchards, Johannesburg, is infused with the spirit of Gandhi, the hero of India’s liberation struggle who developed many of his ideas of passive resistance here in South Africa.
It is the only Ghandi residence in South Africa to be preserved and restored and houses a museum, guesthouse and restaurant in a setting notable for peaceful gardens, serenity and tranquility.The Edwardian ambience recalls a time when the young Indian lawyer first confronted imperial British prejudices and institutional racism.Satyagraha House therefore has a revered place on the liberation tourism itinerary.
But Satyagraha House does not simply honour Gandhi’s contribution. In some respects it still lives the mission.Onsite manager Edna Oberholzer points out: “Gandhi was against exploitation, waste and extravagance. We respect that tradition.“Our house is a gift from French social investors to the people of South Africa . We want to attract as many overseas and local guests and visitors as possible. It is not our intention to ‘price out’ South African’s by increasing prices to foreigners due to the falling Rand, it is unfair to local people. We want to afford the opportunity to South African’s to experience The House – it is part of their heritage”.
Museum admission is free for South African visitors.Satyagraha House is positioned as the big-hearted guesthouse that supports responsible tourism. For example, hospitality revenue is used to maintain the museum.Part of its mission is to build greater local awareness of Gandhi and his work.But awareness-building can be challenging when so many South Africans enjoy steak and a glass of wine or perhaps boerewors and beer.
This is no problem, according to Oberholzer.She says:“We are close to Norwood Centre with its wining and dining facilities, and we encourage guests to get out and about. Gandhi was a vegetarian and our vegetarian dishes are excellent. But we don’t impose this on anyone.”
Guest and visitors enjoy the house for many reasons, including:
– the Gandhi legacy
– the architectural legacy
– the interior design
– the Jewish legacy (the house was designed by German-Jewish architect Hermann Kallenbach while Gandhi’s circle of Johannesburg friends included radical Jewish lawyer Henry Polak)
– meditation, yoga, massages
– school projects
– vegetarian food prepared with the guidance of a manager/chef who trained at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier/Ritz Hotel in Paris
– tea and scones
The restored Satyagraha House has been open for five years. This year, after a modest 5% increase in prices, it will reach break-even point. Subsequent profits will be channelled into maintenance, investment it new facilities, social upliftment and into a profit-share programme for staff.
