After ten years in the aviation industry, an ex-flight attendant has just opened the first luxury hotel in a township in South Africa.
Western Cape, South Africa (04 January 2021) – South Africa’s first four-star township boutique hotel has just opened in Khayelitsha, and it is absolutely fabulous! It’s called The Spade Boutique Hotel and Spa… and the owner is just as incredible.
After ten 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, 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 Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA). However, her business venture 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.

Annette and her husband have cemented themselves within this community and have played an integral part in contributing to the township economy and employment within Khayelitsha Cape Town.
“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 for our guests to leave with an incredible South African experience that will stay with them forever,” Annette explains.
Open to travellers from all walks of life and all corners of the world. Situated in the heart of Khayelitsha, reputed to be the largest and the fastest-growing township in South Africa. Known for its richly diverse culture, friendly people, lifestyle and entertainment spots and entrepreneurial spirit, the boutique hotel is just 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.









