Tourism MEC Desbo Mohono today assured the people of Marikana in the North West that her department will support them to make a living out of tourism. MEC Mohono was speaking during the launch of Tourism Month in Marikana outside Rustenburg on Tuesday.
According to MEC Mohono women and the youth in Marikana are the most vulnerable, as most people who are employed are men, working in the local mines. “Tourism is the new gold, and as government our intentions are quite very clear, we want to bring hope and self belief in Marikana. We know what is happening in most of the mining towns across the country, with retrenchment and closure of many mines. We are saying let’s all sit down and see how best we can guide our people into becoming entrepreneurs and tap into the industry that was previously monopolized by people with less interests into our people,” said MEC Mohono.
She said that her department is making sure that the people of Marikana celebrate and enjoy heritage and that the environment in their area benefit those who are showing interest in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
“We are here to plead with the community at large to help us to push and position our “A re yeng Bokone Bophirima” brand property to its greatest heights. I am aware that in Marikana there are lot of different people from other countries, and now the onus is on us to make sure that we sell the rich history of our province and our folklore in making sure that this will spread and bring more tourists in Marikana,” she said.
MEC Mohono further offered bursaries to two best performing peoples at the Marikana combined school to study Tourism and Hospitality after they complete their great 12 studies. She said that the people of Marikana are best placed to advocate the A re yeng Bokone Bophirima Brand.
She further unveiled activities for the Tourism month and narrated in details, systems put in place by the department to promote tourism in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies. She said that among others the department will engage in events such as the ISikhumbuzo Heritage event, Lilizela awards, School Tourism projects, and represent the department during the World Tourism Day in Limpopo.
The Department will be in Marikana from the 8th until the 10th, where there will be engagements with the locals on Tourism and its opportunities. The department will further ensure that Marikana should not be an ordinary settlement, but should remain internationally acclaimed and that it remains poised with immense tourism potential.
For enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane (Spokesperson)
Cell : 072 542 8444
Tel: 018 388 2081
Email: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
