For two young Eastern Cape women, a seemingly impossible dream is becoming a reality.

Hailing from the small rural town of Alicedale near the Greater Addo region, Lindiwe Bani and St Claire Soyes had never travelled much beyond their home zone. Opportunities seem few, in places like this, a long way from cities and development.

But perception and reality are not always the same. Despite humble beginnings, the two women share not just the dream, but also the ambition, drive and dedication to better their education and positions in the province’s burgeoning hospitality industry.

Their enthusiasm and potential earned them the recognition of their employer, Behold Collection CEO Loodt Buchner, whose determination to grow and capacitate community members in areas adjacent to the family-owned Bellevue Forest Reserve led to a life-changing opportunity for Bani and Soyes.

For both women, it is not only a significant career milestone but also their first time travelling by airplane—a memory that will stay with them forever. The women have become local celebrities in Alicedale, as the excitement of seeing fellow residents board an aircraft for the first time to travel across the country and pursue professional training has inspired many around them.

“We are immensely proud of Lindiwe and St Claire’s dedication, enthusiasm and willingness to embrace every learning opportunity. Their journey demonstrates that with support, opportunity, and hard work, extraordinary things can happen. By creating opportunities for learning, growth, and leadership, we hope to build confidence, create role models, and open doors that may once have seemed out of reach.”

Winter is traditionally a quieter season in tourism in these parts, so Buchner and team see it as their most important period for development and growth.

“At Bellevue Forest Reserve, success isn't measured only by occupancy or guest reviews; it is measured by the growth of our people. Therefore, it is during this time that we focus on empowering our team members, creating opportunities and helping individuals unlock their full potential. We brainstorm new ideas, experiment with menu enhancements, refine skills and tweak the many small things that make a great difference to guest enjoyment. Soon, we will proudly name two fully certified sommeliers as part of our talented staff complement”, he says.

The development of these two women is a perfect example of what is possible when organisations intentionally create opportunities and invest in human potential.

“Partnerships such as the one we enjoy with Van Loveren Wines enable us to provide world-class experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible to many from rural communities. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Van Loveren Wines team for opening their doors, sharing expertise, and helping make this dream a reality.”

As Bani and Soyes continue their sommelier studies, they carry not just new knowledge but also a powerful message: that talent exists everywhere, and when opportunity meets determination, amazing things can happen.

As Bani and Soyes continue their sommelier studies, they carry not just new knowledge but also a powerful message: that talent exists everywhere, and when opportunity meets determination, amazing things can happen.

The journey has only just begun.