You have two options with regard to accommodation in Cata, homestays and chalets. Each option has its own appeal, and the visitor to Cata is encouraged to give careful consideration to the type of accommodation that he or she would like to arrange.
Homestays
"Cata homestays provided me with an amazing language and cultural experience that was both educational and enjoyable in every way possible”. (Sivenesi Subramoney, UCT Xhosa student, January 2010)
You are invited to share the home of a Cata villager. Partake of meals with the family and experience authentic rural life. Homestays provide a unique opportunity to interact with ordinary South Africans going about their daily life. Rooms are comfortable and clean - and the homestay family will go out of its way, showing you traditional hospitality. Sanitation is rudimentary, but hygienic. Rates for 2010 are R170 dinner, bed and breakfast. Go on - choose the traditional Xhosa meal. Visit the local shebeen with your host. Send your children out to play football with the local youngsters. Homestays are an unforgettable experience. Of course, this is the ideal way to hone your Xhosa language skills.
Chalets
“You wake up in a comfortable bed and see this amazing view – it gives peace and tranquillity. So there I can always focus well on the work, and relax too.” (Viktoria Olausson, Africa Groups of Sweden, May 2010)
The rates are as follows:
Catering
We recommend that you make use of the local catering committee. Especially trained for the hospitality industry, these local women can provide a range of meals to suit every taste - so if you are a health conscious vegetarian, or a pap-en-vleis kind of person, speak to Boniswa to arrange your meals, so that you can spend time taking advantage of the attractions on offer at Cata, rather than toiling in the kitchen. See the price list for catering rates.You can, however, self-cater if you want to. There is a braai area and wood for sale and there is a very small kitchen in the large communal space between the two chalets. If this is your preference, please consider calling ahead to see what fresh produce is currently available in the village. Eggs, free range chickens and a variety of organic vegetables are usually easily arranged.
Latest News
Feel the heartbeat of an ordinary Xhosa village - opt for a homestay and live with one of the Cata families for the duration of your stay. Perhaps you might like to have your evening beer at the local tavern and meet your neighbours. read more
From the newly-built chalets you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the Cata Dam on the road to Keiskammahoek. You can opt for self-catering or have meals prepared for you in traditional Xhosa style. read more
Cata is a paradise for children… bicycling or horse-riding or learning a little of the local language. And, of course, they could meet the local children and together with them, look for cattle in the afternoon.
But Cata is not as ordinary as you might think first when you enter the village. During apartheid the village underwent a complete forced removal from the hills to the valley. This programme was ironically called “betterment“ and affected millions of people all over South Africa. This, and the successful fight for restitution, is documented in the Cata museum. read more
