Portfolio Committee told about jobs created through Tourism
A recent week-long visit by the National Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development in the North West has shared light on the positives and the negatives in the local Tourism Industry. Members visited establishments which included the renowned tourism destinations in the Pilanesburg area like Sun City, Moruleng’s Mphebatho museum and Phokeng and some other establishments within the Madikwe game reserve.
The oversight visit by the committee focused more on job creation, enterprise development, sector transformation, SMMEs and support given to local communities. The committee has heard how different communities around the said establishments are being supported and further probed more on the number of the jobs created.
Currently the lodges and Parks Board around the Madikwe Game Reserve employed over 700 people within its 33 lodges. Most of those employed in the lodges within the park are from local communities. According to the Committee Chairperson Mmathulare Coleman, it is imperative that locals should be prioritized and should benefit accordingly.
According to Coleman, the committee is pleased about the performance of most establishments they have visited. “We are pleased that most of them are providing corporate social responsibility among the local communities. We are also pleased by the number of jobs created and would like to continue to encourage them to ensure and consider more locals before they explore other avenues.”
As members we are also pleased by the relations and the way they say they plough back to their communities. This is what government is preaching and we would like to further encourage others to do the same,” said Coleman.
The Sun City Resort situated in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality establishment has thus far employed over ten thousand employees and also prides itself with the number of Corporate Social Investment to local communities and the number of Jobs outsourced locally.
The Department of Tourism in the North West has however indicated its satisfaction by the committee’s visit. According to the Department after extensive and fruitful deliberations with the stakeholders in the Tourism Industry the department realised that corporation and collaboration with all key stakeholders, especially sector departments whose services may have an impact on the growth and development of Tourism is vital and integrated planning and interventions to mitigate any obstacle is encouraged.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane (Spokesperson)
Cell: 072 542 8444
Tel: 018 388 2081
E-mail: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
