Spa and skincare brand Africology and Satyagraha House, the former Johannesburg home of Mahatma Gandhi, have announced their collaboration on a unique relaxation and wellness experience for visitors to the heritage site.
Satyagraha House in Orchards already attracts foreign and South African visitors seeking peace and tranquillity while absorbing the spiritual teaching of the iconic Indian leader.
Their search for inner harmony through a stay at the historic guesthouse can now be complemented by an authentic Africology spa experience that celebrates the essence of Africa and the ancient wisdom of traditional healers.
The bespoke spa experience includes holistic therapy aligning Ayurveda (the Indian science of life) and African plants and plant oils to promote wellbeing.
Treatments are in the hands of trained massage therapists schooled in the Africology AfriVeda ritual.
Fabrice Dabouineau, director of Voyageurs Du Monde, French owners of Satyagraha House, commented: “Here, the cultures of Africa and India are as one. At the same time, the Africology experience is all about bodily and spiritual harmony.
“The philosophical fit with our new Africology partners is ideal. The beneficiaries are our visitors who will find the Africology spa experience perfectly complements their visit.”
The launch event was also addressed by Africology founder Renchia Droganis, an innovator with profound understanding of the interaction between body and mind.
She pointed out: “Satyagraha House already offers so much – the history of Gandhi’s stay here in 1907 while still developing his concept of truth force, the on-site museum, the gardens, the vegetarian cuisine favoured by Gandhi and the guesthouse. This venture has created a meaningful synergy between wellness and wisdom, embracing my philosophy on the inherent kindness of humanity while realigning the senses. Two worlds brought together on one divine journey.
“These facilities find an ideal accompaniment in the full Africology experience. Some visitors may even combine our therapy with meditation and yoga.
“There could be no better setting than Satyagraha House for treatments designed to enhance inner calm.
The partnership is a key element in the strategy to further increase the flow of house visitors, thereby supporting essential revenue streams.
The heritage site is a gift from French social investors to the people of South Africa, with free museum admission for South African visitors. All on-site income is used to meet maintenance costs, improve facilities, support social upliftment and contribute to a profit-share programme for staff.
The Africology-Satyagraha House partnership has also resulted in the creation of a signature fragranced candle – Satyagraha 1907 – this is the year that The House was built in. This uniquely formulated sandalwood candle is made from pure essential oils. It will be burned during spa treatments and is available for purchase.
In addition, Africology is supplying the guesthouse with the Authentic hotel amenities range, comprising shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion and lavender infused sleep gel.
- Visitors to the house are often ‘struggle tourists’ which have an abiding interest in Gandhi’s contribution to liberation and national rebirth. Renchia Droganis’s own story provides an interesting echo with this quest for renewal.
Before launching her chain of spas and range of eco-friendly wellness products, she came to prominence as the holistic healer who worked with state prosecutors, helping victims of apartheid find the mental strength to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
To learn more, please visit http://www.satyagrahahouse.com
