By Palesa Ndinisa
Founded by the perspicacious businesswoman, Bathabile Moreki who has multiple establishments under her belt such as retail, hospitality and service based businesses recently launched her luxury guesthouse located in 118 Bayley, Benoni. As a former government sector employee, Moreki’s enthusiasm and passion for entrepreneurship grew leading her to venture into franchising and personal care products as part of her successes. The future mogul in the making has a book, which highlights how she made her first million. “I was funded by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), and when I shared this with people, many were skeptical that a government institution could be so supportive of entrepreneurs. I received countless questions about how I managed to secure the funding, which made me realise there was a real need for guidance in this area. That’s what inspired me to write the book—to share my story in detail and walk others through the preparation and submission process I used to acquire funding. I wanted to help other entrepreneurs navigate this opportunity that so many didn’t believe was possible,” gracefully said Moreki.
She furthermore explained how running multiple businesses has taught her that growth is accompanied with pressure. In her words, she mentioned that managing people is challenging more than managing operations- making high stake decisions that affect the livelihoods of her employees. “I learned that expansion without structure can damage what you’ve built. Learning when to pause, consolidate, and strengthen foundations has been one of the most valuable lessons in my entrepreneurial journey,” added the entrepreneur.
In the guesthouse business, comfort and consistency are everything. At 118 Bayley, the focus is on creating a calm, welcoming environment where guests feel respected, safe, and genuinely cared for. The property was personally curated, with attention to layout, finishes, and functionality. What is different about this establishment is that it emphasises hands-on ownership and intentional service. Their aim is not to be a generic accommodation; rather they aim to provide a thoughtful experience that balances privacy, quality, and professionalism. Moreki moreover outlined that guests notice the difference when a space is actively managed than remotely operated. This made it an easier strategic choice for the establishment to expand as it was informed by performance and demand. Consistent room occupancy, positive guest feedback and a great standard of elegance was sufficient reason to increase capacity while maintaining and strengthening the property as a long term asset.
To overcome challenges, the zealous businesswoman attests that discipline, routine and a clear sense of purpose sustain her. “When challenges arise, I focus on understanding the problem fully before reacting. I’ve learned to separate emotion from decision-making, especially during difficult periods. I also draw strength from reflection and from remembering how far I’ve come. Each challenge becomes a reminder of why preparation, patience, and consistency matter. There are no regrets, just lessons. Every mistake contributed to stronger boundaries, better contracts and a more strategic approach to business. Hard earned experience has been one of my greatest teachers,” uttered Moreki.
The businesswoman’s future plans include strengthening her hospitality footprint while maintaining quality and brand integrity. She concluded by saying; “I am open to ventures that support entrepreneurship and asset ownership, especially those that create long-term value rather than short-term gains. Growth, for me, is about longevity and impact, not speed,” summarised Moreki.
