The East London Urban Cultural Experience Route

ShowMe East London recently attended the Media launch of The East London Urban Cultural Experience – an exciting new route which is the brain child and collaboration of 9 local SMME’s, and which is supported by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Association and Buffalo City Tourism.

9 Dynamic local business and tourism entrepreneurs put their heads together and through hard work and collaboration, created this fantastic new route which showcases East London’s vibrant urban culture.  It includes hospitality, visual arts, culture, adventure and gaming, packaged into an affordable, easy to access package and delivered by some of our most prominent local tour guides, tour operators and tourism transport operators.

The fun started at the Drifters Raceway Theme Park where we were treated to some local traditional dancing.  The official ceremonies were held in the lovely entertainment venue lapa whereafter we moved to the racetrack and paintball fields for some action and adventure.  There were crashes, there were yells of encouragement and there were peals of laughter.  Drifters Raceway Theme Park did itself proud and we enjoyed every minute of it.

From there we were transported by Velile (Imonti Tours), Siseko (Uncuthu Tours) and Eugene (Eugene’s Shuttle) to the beautiful new Art Versatile Gallery in Vincent.  As the first 100% black owned and run contemporary art gallery in East London, Art Versatile showcases artworks by local artists who’s work would previously never have made it into the public eye.  The Art Versatile Gallery in Vincent is a visual art and handmade craft experience including mediums such as painting, pottery, wood and sketches.  It is a must visit for all art lovers.

From there our group headed to the Art Versatile Ceramics Studio situated in Arcadia.  The Studio is home to local ceramic artists who make beautiful hand crafted and glazed pottery, which can be purchased at the studio or gallery.  Our exceptionally talented host showed us ‘how easy’ it is to make a pot on the wheel.  Thereafter, the enthusiastic media got the opportunity to try it out ourselves…  another great (and really fun) experience, one I can highly recommend.  The studio is also available for fun team building sessions and pottery lessons.

From there we headed out for the Township Experience.  We travelled through East London’s historical Duncan Village which is rich with our cities culture and struggle heritage.  Onwards to Mdantsane, South Africa’s 2nd largest township, situated on the rolling Eastern Cape hills.

Here we visited the amazing ladies working at Xhobani Projects, who turn used glass bottles into individually crafted handmade glass beads.  This recycling project has helped create jobs for local women who repurpose used glass bottles into beautiful beads that are turned into jewellery, decor and accessories.  Each bead is individually made and differs ever so slightly in size and shape – adding to the beauty of their handmade products. At Xhobani Projects they also sew and create beautiful decor and accessories as well as modern traditional wear and beautiful dolls, showing the different dress codes within our rich xhosa culture.

And no Urban Cultural Experience is complete without stopping over for a bite to eat, some refreshments and stunning live entertainment at Mthombi’s Palace.  A landmark in the Eastern Cape, Mthombi’s Palace is the epitome of the vibrant urban cultural lifestyle!  The cultural dancing and opera singing blended perfectly with the local music, spontaneous dancing and unique warmth of the people and the place.  From their indoor courtyard and entertainment area, the many private lounging areas, the outdoor braai and pool area to the upmarket dining and private functions area, Mthombi’s Palace is a ‘not so little’ microcosm of the Urban Culture experience.  A regular patron told us while we were there…

“Sundays are such fun at Mthombi’s Palace, it makes us really hate Mondays!”

Throw in two great accommodation establishments, the Park Place Boutique Guest House in Belgravia and Edge Lodge in Beacon Bay and a great package deal, and you have The East London Urban Cultural Experience Route.  Having done it and thoroughly enjoyed it, I can unequivocally recommend it to locals and visitors alike!  Yes, in East London… we do Tourism, and this crowd are doing it, really well!

Article & Photographs:  Sandy Loppnow