Pic: Kenneth Lubisi Owner and Director of NDO Boutique Guest House
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
For Kenneth Lubisi, standing at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, felt surreal.
“I can’t believe that I flew all the way from Mpumalanga and I’m here in Durban to represent my business,” he said, still taking in the moment.
Lubisi is the director and owner of Ndo Boutique Guest House in Naas, under Nkomazi Local Municipality. The business opened in November 2025, but the dream behind it is years older.
“I’m a boilermaker by profession and I’ve worked at power stations, spending a lot of time away from home,” Lubisi explained. During those long stretches away, his late wife kept pushing him to start a guest house at home, where rooms for visitors were scarce.
“My late wife would often urge me to establish a guest house in my neighbourhood because there was a shortage.”
She never got to see it happen. Lubisi’s wife passed away in 2020 during Covid-19. He named the guest house “Ndo” in her memory, a way to keep her dream alive. “The name Ndo belongs to my late wife, and I decided to use it as a way to fulfill a dream.”
Starting was not easy. Lubisi found land and began building, but the early months were tough.
“It was not easy when I started, we encountered a lot of challenges and at some stage we spent up to three months without any money.”
Today, he’s representing Ndo Boutique Guest House on one of Africa’s biggest tourism stages. For him, being at Indaba and hearing President Cyril Ramaphosa address tourism businesses was
“I’m truly humbled by the experience of welcoming the President of the country and listening to him addressing us as tourism businesses. I know that all this is through God’s power.”
Lubisi said support from local government made the journey possible. He thanked Ehlanzeni District and Nkomazi Local Municipality for helping bring small operators like him to the event and for assisting with grading, which he expects to be finalised by year-end.
“We appreciate this opportunity and we still need more support to help our businesses grow further.”
His ambition stretches beyond Naas. “My wish is to open branches of Ndo Boutique Guest House all over South Africa and even in outside countries including Swaziland.”
For Lubisi, Ndo Boutique is more than a business. It’s a promise kept to his wife and a sign that even after loss and hardship, new beginnings are possible.
The suites at Ndo Boutique Guest House are equipped with everything you need for a relaxing getaway, blending comfort and style seamlessly.
When you’re ready to step beyond your room, enjoy the communal spaces designed for unwinding and connection: take a dip in the outdoor pool, fire up the BBQ area with family and friends, or stroll through the lush gardens.
Whether you’re pursuing safari adventures in the Lowveld, a business trip, or a family retreat, Ndo Boutique Guest House is your ideal base to rest, explore, and recharge.
