SECURING a place to stay at Die Rusplek (Rest Place) in Bloemfontein on the last weekend of the Macufe Cultural Festival in Bloemfontein last year was like a divine intervention.The ‘City of Roses’ as affectionally renown was fully booked, and all known hotels and B&Bs were overflowing, due to major attractions which included a Macufe Cup exhibition match between the country’s stop soccer draw-cards, Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs.
Sports Focus crew however found a home away from home at Rusplek, which is situated in a quiet suburban area of Universitas. Founded by Marieta Muller in 1993, as a backyard cottage, the establishment was inspired by frequent visits by family and friends, who needed to be accommodated on the Mullers’ spacious home.Sharing her thoughts with the crew, the bespectacled Marieta described her B&B as ideal stopover for vacation and relaxation for travelers heading to the Cape or Joburg or other destinations.“Bloemfontein is fast becoming popular with live sports events, and we are hoping to position ourselves to attract clients who travel for sport,” said Mrs Muller.
During the interview she said, “World Cup was going to bring the lasting change to the hospitality industry in Bloem, especially to smaller operators. Everything depended on how we position ourselves to capture thousands of international visitors who had come to Bloemfontein during the World Cup.”Rusplek has so far created 20 full-time jobs. She says her three-star establishment has hosted leading figures in business, politics and entertainment industry, including the late gospel star Vuyo Mokoena and band.There are conference facilities, which make establishment popular with provincial government departments and other high profile regular clients.
Other facilities worth mentioning are two swimming pools, two suites with Jacuzzi’s and a Turkish bath in one luxury unit.If you happen to be around Bloem-town for sport activities, business or leisure pop-in at Resplek for first-rate hospitality, tranquility and the scent of Jacaranda-trees.And this year’s 2010 Macufe promises to be hotter, exciting and divine than last year owing to top-notch local and international musos such as Jonathan Butler, conducting of community workshops to do with arts and culture, and other potpourri of events lined-up.
