A SECRET TEA GARDEN IN THE HEART OF FOURWAYS, EMPOWERED BY CAPITEC
Join Vourné Kgosinkwe, wife of renowned composer, Theo Kgosinkwe, for a family day and barefoot walks in the heart of Fourways at The Secret Tea Garden, a Capitec merchant of seven years.
In the heart of Fourways stands the historical Norscot Manor, a breath-taking estate offering sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Joburg’s city life. Built in 1936, Norscot Manor is steeped in history.
Once the home of Ernst and Ethel Eriksen, the estate boasts eight reception rooms, six bedrooms, five bathrooms and many fireplaces that tell the stories of the building’s history. The name Norscot Manor is expressive of links to Norway, where Ernst originated form, and Scotland, where Ethel is from.
Although the building is a splendour to the eyes, it’s what lies beyond the shutters and the windows that is enticing.
“In 1982, Norscot Manor was sold to the city of Johannesburg. It received blue heritage status and is now mainly used as a recreation centre. The real showstopper here is The Secret Tea Garden, explains Alison Grünewald, PR Manager of The Secret Tea Garden.
Situated on the manicured lawns of the estate, The Secret Tea Garden is a popular day time meeting spot for locals and travelling alike. With shade tables and plenty of places for the kids to play, it’s the ideal family venue.
The owner of The Secret Tea Garden, Steven, saw huge potential in the venue, with beautiful lawns and huge open space against the backdrop of the magnificent Norscot Manor to host baby showers, kitchen teas and functions.
The Secret Tea Garden creates a relaxed space where people can take their shoes off, put their feet on the grass and enjoy the surrounding estate. It is especially suited for families.
“The main focus on this business is a relaxed, comfortable environment geared towards the family-type experience,” explains Steve, adding that the play area is a selling point. “The kids go there, they play, they have an absolute ball, and moms and dads can actually have whole conversations instead of the broken communication that is the norm when the kids are at the table.”
Serving a simple, unfussy breakfast and lunch menu, with teatime delights such as scones, cakes, biscuits and an array of teas, The Secret Tea Garden’s team and their dedication to their customers’ needs are what keep the business running smoothly.
“The team dedication has been absolutely phenomenal. There is no way that I could do this business by myself,” says Steven, who adds that they have been fortunate enough to increase their staff complement by five since the start of the pandemic due to their high number of customers.
To coincide with this success, Steven searched for a reliable, approachable and affordable financial partner, and found just what he was looking for in Capitec.
“I approached them, we did the deal, and two days later we were up and running. And it’s wonderful – their service is fantastic. If there is an issue, you call through to their merchant call centre, they resolve it straight away – there are no problems at all,” praises Steven.
Maintaining a personal relationship with the team at The Secret Tea Garden, Capitec Account Manager Keith Sibanda is a regular at the venue and makes it his mission to take the stress out of their day-to-day finances.
“Whenever Steve has got a problem, we send the guys there within 24 hours – they are there to assist,” says Keith, adding, “We try to deliver the best service that we can – that’s Capitec because our motto is ‘Our Clients Come First’. So, when Steve has a problem, we are always here to assist.”
Keith admires the personal touches at The Secret Tea Garden, observing that, besides the location, it’s the service that stands out: “If you walk in here, Steve seems to know most of his clients by name and there’s a chit chat here and there.”
To experience the relaxing atmosphere of the venue, we catch up with social media influencer and new mom, Vourné Kgosinkwe, wife of renowned composer, Theo Kgosinkwe, from Mafikizolo.
Meeting up with other parents, like Personal Trainer and Sports Scientist, Robyn Africa, and Make-up Artist, Judie Kama, at The Secret Tea Garden offers families a space to retreat and unwind, right on their doorsteps.
“The first thing that caught my eye was this beautiful garden that they have and the play area for the kids,” says Robyn. Judie has a similar view of the venue, adding, “My son really enjoyed it. The place is very spacious – it’s out of this world. I even forgot that I’m close to home.”
“You wouldn’t even say that it’s in Fourways – it feels like you’re away – like you’re out of Joburg,” Vourné says, adding that it’s about “just getting away and hanging with other moms, and catching up while you’re still in a safe and friendly environment.”
Treat your family to something special with The Insider SA and Capitec by winning a R2 000 cash prize. To enter, reply to the competition post on our social media platforms with #CapitecLiveBetter. Entries close at midnight on Sunday 14th of March. Ts&Cs apply and can be found on www.theinsidersa.co.za.
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