Our cause
Artwork installation at the KwaNonqaba Business Centre, Mossel Bay.
Doing good, better.
Since 2008, Cause Development Agency has focused on designing and implementing innovative socio-economic development programmes. At the core of this work has been a consistent vision: to contribute towards economic freedom for all South Africans by building accessible pathways into sustainable economic participation.
In 2016, Cause made a strategic shift to focus on the tourism sector as a primary driver of inclusive economic development in the Western Cape. This marked the initiation of a ‘unified tourism development methodology’, through which all research, innovation, and programme design became concentrated around tourism as a trade and economic system. This specialisation has enabled the refinement of more coherent and scalable development models that respond directly to the structure and dynamics of the tourism economy.
The Good Tourism Journey™
Within this framework, we have developed the Cause Good Tourism Journey™, which bridges the siloed approach to societal development in South Africa. The tourism ecosystem is approached at a systemic level, with stakeholders across the full value chain actively partnering to deliver unified impact. Together, these actions form a coordinated framework to reshape tourism as a strategic and innovative driver of societal development and inclusive growth in the Western Cape.
With a unified development framework, we deliver high-impact interventions at both strategic and place-based local levels—driving measurable economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Our Good Tourism Journey™ focuses on six interconnected actions. These actions or areas of impact function as mutually reinforcing levers within a deliberately interconnected tourism-led socio-economic development system.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
African Proverb.
Six actions for better tourism
We work to align public- and private-sector stakeholders around shared, implementable tourism pathways—turning policy intent and industry ambition into coordinated action on the ground.
We expand access to opportunity by making tourism visible and accessible to people in townships, villages and rural areas, linking awareness directly to pathways to employment and participation in the sector.
We support youth development through practical skills and entry points into tourism careers, enabling a supported transition into the economy.
We enable community-based tourism (CBT) product development by supporting local entrepreneurs to transform heritage, skills, and place-based assets into viable tourism products and experiences that keep value circulating locally.
We strengthen local non-profit and community organisations by aligning their work with tourism-led development opportunities, increasing their ability to contribute to long-term socio-economic change.
We enable commercial tourism businesses to deliver direct and measurable socio economic impact in the Western Cape by supporting the Good Tourism Journey™ and aligning with the Cause Good Tourism Seal™
Tourism that works for everyone
Our unified approach positions tourism as a sustainable platform for inclusive economic growth, social cohesion, and long-term place-based resilience – realising our ultimate goal of making tourism work for everyone.
Our team
Nicolette Booyens: Managing Director
Nicolette Booyens is a socio economic development specialist with 20 years of experience, focused on inclusive, impact driven solutions. She is a stakeholder management expert who uses tourism to stimulate local economic growth, job creation, and societal advancement. Her work in community education includes designing programmes and learning materials that strengthen sector capacity. In 2008, she founded the Cause Development Agency to advance the economic freedom of marginalised people, creating a platform that drives social innovation and empowerment in the Western Cape.
Khanyisa Mhlakaza: Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Specialist
Khanyisa is a Community Based Tourism (CBT) specialist, product developer, and trainer with more than 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. She built her career through a range of local and international management roles, gaining broad expertise across the sector. In 2018, she returned to her hometown of Kayamandi to apply her knowledge within the local community, where she contributes to inclusive tourism development in the Western Cape. Her work reflects a commitment to building sustainable tourism products, strengthening local participation, and ensuring that tourism creates meaningful opportunities for communities.
Anneke La Vita: Operations Lead
Anneke is a tourism specialist with over 20 years of experience in the Western Cape’s travel and hospitality industry. She has extensive knowledge of the region’s tourism offerings and a strong understanding of both domestic and international markets. Her considerable expertise in product development and marketing has supported the creation of tourism products that respond to market demand and enhance visitor experiences. Skilled in coordination, stakeholder engagement, and building collaborative partnerships, Anneke brings valuable industry insight and organisational capacity to tourism based development initiatives, contributing to growth and strengthening the sector’s ability to deliver lasting impact.
Nokulunga Mchunu: Youth Learning Facilitator
Nokulunga is a tourism marketing specialist with 10 years of experience working with leading travel and tourism brands. Her professional background spans tourism marketing, brand communication, and destination promotion, with a focus on creating compelling stories and visual content that highlight Africa’s diverse travel experiences. Passionate about tourism development and youth empowerment, she is dedicated to preparing young people for future careers in the tourism sector. Nokulunga’s work reflects her ability to combine creativity with strategic communication, ensuring that tourism products and destinations are promoted in ways that inspire participation and broaden opportunities.
“Unity is the great need of the hour”
Julius Nyerere
Join the Good Tourism Journey™ and help build tourism that works for everyone.
Craft entrepreneur Brightness Zsmagugu participating in the DEDAT Community Tourism Experience Programme in Mossel Bay.
