Town Lodge Radio Campaign

When it comes to holidays and occasional travel, the City Lodge Group not only compete with other hotel chains and Airbnb –  they compete with the homes of friends and family. The truth is, in tight-fisted economic times, many of us end up choosing the “free” option. But how free is it really? Finances aside, there are some undeniable emotional and (sometimes) physical costs to staying with the people you love. 

Looking after your aging, haggard childhood pets, the constant, unrequited company – too much information about your parents’ sexual renaissance. When you weigh up the real cost of staying with the family, staying at a City Lodge hotel is better than free, actually.

Mahala is a colloquial Zulu word for anything that is acquired without payment, or effort. All Zulus love going to one place during holidays; home. Why? Because it’s mahala. The truth is, in these tough economic times, many of us opt for the ‘mahala’ option. But consider the real costs of dealing with family, both physical and emotional. Then add black tax, paid in cash, as well as in free labour.  And for women, even more hidden costs; including becoming part of the help, adhering to a strict traditional dress code,  and hyperpigmentation of knees from scrubbing toxic masculinity off the floors.