WOWZULU Model for sustainable community-based tourism-Deputy Minister Thabethe
The WOWZULU initiative for creating inclusive tourist destinations will serve as a best-case South African model for sustainable community-based tourism, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe proclaimed at the project launch held at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal(KZN) on Friday afternoon.
The first phase of the project focused on supporting tour guides involved in emerging community tourism, eateries selling local cuisine, youth owned coffee outlets, craft entrepreneurs, storytelling performers and dancers in Isandlwana Battlefields in the Nqutu area, Ohlange in the Inanda Valley, Ballito in the North Coast, Tembe in the Far North, KwaNzimakwe in the South Coast, Khula Village in St. Lucia Wetlands Park and eMazizizni Village in the Northern Drakensberg.
Deputy Minister Thabethe said that the WOWZULU model implemented across seven KZN tourist destinations should inspire district municipalities across the country to become more sustainable environmentally, socially and economically while injecting life and offering hope for the rural unemployed.
“Responsible tourism is of paramount importance to the tourism sector hence South Africa was the first country to include this concept in its national tourism policy, the 1996 White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa,” emphasised Thabethe.
She said that according to the White Paper, responsible tourism is an approach to the management of tourism aimed at maximising economic, social and environmental benefits and minimising costs to destinations.
We are also the first pioneers of responsible tourism standards as well as second after Brazil to have a national minimum standard on responsible tourism, she stressed.
“The historic launch is opening opportunities for growth and development of the tourism sector while contributing to the objective of the National Development Plan and the national imperative to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality,” added Thabethe.
The Deputy Minister Thabethe commended the partnership of Africa Ignite, Better Tourism Africa, One Planet-Handle with Care’ Trust Fund including the United Nationals Environment Fund with the National Department of Tourism to ensure that the local environment, economy and society benefit though the project
Twenty-nine-year-old Nelisiwe Nzimakwe from KwaNzimakwe South Coast said that the project has changed lives within the community by creating jobs for women and men with history of the area.
“Crafters have an opportunity to sell theit crafts through WOWZULU market places across KZN to international and local tourist,” remarked Mzimakwe
She said that those involved with the project have also gained knowledge in running businesses.
“We have also been trained as tour guides as well as the basics of tourism service provision, learnt about different cultures as well as benefitted from direct marketing of our destinations,” she added.
Mzimakwe’s views were echoed by 31-year old Sithembile Hadebe from Isandlwana who said that the project has changed her life and afforded her an opportunity to work and support her big family and two children.
“I am now a change agent impacting my community through tourism,” she emphasised.
Sadia Nanabhay of Better Tourism, one of the implementing partners in the project said that through the model tourism is offered in a way that it is caring to both nature and the environment.
Member of the Luthuli Museum and the daughter of Africa’s first Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Albertina Luthuli in her message of support said that women are critical to drive economic development.
She said that tourism will thrive when there is good coordinated planning as well planned visionary.
Deputy Mayor of iLembe District Municipality, Councillor Dolly Shandu representing Enterprise iLembe expressed appreciation that the project was empowering women.
Her counterpart in the KwaDukuza municipality, Deputy Mayor Councillor Dolly Govender said that the programme will promote tourism to showcase the four blue drop beaches in the area.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Kgwele
Cell: 076 950 0004
E-mail: lkgwele@tourism.gov.za
