Annette Skaap, the woman behind the first 4-star luxury hotel in khayelitsha, a first in a South African township

After 10 years in the aviation industry as a flight attendant for SA Express, Annette Skaap has taken off to pursue her aspirations to venture into business, becoming a hotelier with the first luxury hotel to open in a township in South Africa.

Annette is a multifaceted woman, an entrepreneur, a digital content creator with a large social media following, a wife and a mother. She was born in Cape Town, Kwa- Langa and raised in Khayelitsha. She holds a National Diploma in Internal Auditing from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is currently pursuing a BCom Degree in Accounting Science at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her business venture, however, started with the development of rental properties in Khayelitsha 7 years ago. She saw a gap in the market, with an influx of people flocking into the Western Cape annually, from other provinces for work and study opportunities, and seized the opportunity with a string of rental apartments and properties for safe and secured accommodation.

Having travelled internationally while in the aviation industry, to countries such as Bali, Singapore, Dubai, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique, has ignited the vision to bring the world to Africa with the development of The Spade Boutique Hotel and Spa.

A fitting venture and partnership between Annette and her husband, businessman Bulelani Skaap, popularly known as Ace Mabheka. Ace has pioneered the lifestyle and entertainment industry locally. In 2007, Ace opened what would eventually become a premium double story lounge, starting with just one house. He eventually expended over the years buying his neighbours out and relocating them to better residential homes within Khayelitsha. A business move which had the support of the community due to prospects of creating employment opportunities. Their impressive family business portfolio spans over 14 years in the lifestyle and entertainment sector. They have built establishments: Kwa -Ace Lounge, Kwa – Ace Kitchen and Kwa – Ace eParkin based in Khayelitsha. They are now tapping into the hospitality and accommodation space.  Annette and her husband have cemented themselves within this community and have played an integral part in contributing towards township economy and employment within Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

“We are pleased to introduce our new business expansion with the development of our first luxury hotel, The Spade Boutique Hotel and Spa. This project has been in the making since 2018 but was derailed by the global pandemic, COVID19, which has affected the global and business community. With this hotel we wish to accommodate our guests, local and international, to experience the other side of Cape Town and more beyond the city. We wish to for our guests to leave with an incredible South African experience that will stay with them forever.” Annette Skaap, CEO

About the hotel

The boutique hotel is 24 km away from the Cape Town International Airport, 35 km away from the Cape Town City Bowl, 25 km away from the Cape Winelands, 25 km away from Muizenberg Beach, 34 km from Table Mountain and 36 km away from the V&A Waterfront. Giving our guests the opportunity to experience the other side of Cape Town and more beyond the city.

The Spade Boutique Hotel and Spa is affiliated with Cape Town Tourism, the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) and currently in the processing of grading with the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) and South African Tourism (SAT).

The Hotel and Spa will officially open its doors on the 5^th of December 2021.