Founded in June 2010 by Soka Mthembu, Beyond Zulu Experience is one of South Africa’s leading cultural entertainment and tourism companies, a forerunner in the development and promotion of cultural tourism & traditional entertainment. Our roots run deep in the Zulu Kingdom.
Soka Mthembu, at age 11, while a schoolboy, cut his teeth on cultural tourism when he joined Simunye Zulu Lodge as a Zulu dancer. Barry Leitch, the renowned cultural consultant and entrepreneur, co-founded Shakaland with Kingsley Holgate, and later Simunye Zulu Lodge. It was under the guidance and mentorship of this stalwart in the industry that Soka went on to become the Director of Simunye Zulu Lodge, having previously held various positions, amongst others: Front Office Manager, Reservations Manager, Marketing & General Manager. Soka also serves on the Board of Directors for the Simunye Project Inc, a not-for-profit charity organization registered in the USA but serving the impoverished communities around Melmoth. Soka Mthembu has training and experience in business management, and sales & marketing, office administration, and customer services.
Large corporate companies at which Soka has been employed include: Protea Hotels (as Regional Sales Co-ordinator KZN & Eastern Cape), Protea Hotel Umhlanga (as Marketing Plan Executive), Three Cities Hotels & Safari Lodges (as Group Sales Co-ordinator). Soka spends his time writing and passionately sharing stories about remarkable human beings, places and events.
Our team and partnership comprises Project Manager, Tour Guides and Storytellers, Cultural Performers, Zulu Home-Stay Host Families, Traditional Leaders, and Communities in which we operate.