Development Update
SMME Development and Support
Support to Crafters
We continue developing platforms for local SMMEs to connect with businesses and, to date, crafters have displayed their products at 13 local establishments with significant tourist footprints. We’ve facilitated a vendor agreement with local crafters and the owner of Southport Swop Shop. We also facilitated and funded the exhibition of seven crafters at the Night Trail event which took place at Dino Park in Melville in February.
Coastal Marine Tourism Skills Capacity Building Workshop
Margate Hotel was the host venue for a workshop organised by SCTIE, the Department of Tourism; the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; and the KZN Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). We invited SMMEs in the marine tourism space to learn more about non-consumptive marine tourism activities.
Tourism Community Engagement and Information Sharing Session
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, hosted this important session at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre in March to engage with women, youth, and entrepreneurs about tourism development programmes offered by the Department of Tourism and KZN EDTEA. As part of the organising committee, we assisted with transport, Fam Trips, as well as presenting to attendees.
Youth Programmes
Hospitality Youth Training Programme: Food and Beverages 2023
In our continued efforts to empower youth in tourism, we partnered with Tourism World Academy to implement the Department of Tourism’s Hospitality Youth Programme for unemployed youth. This widens employment opportunities and skills development in the tourism and hospitality sector, with 12 months of training at local host venues. We were delighted to place 25 youngsters at local establishments, including:
- San Lameer Resort
- Estuary Hotel
- Senzi’s Pub and Grill
- Fish on the River
- Umdlalo Lodge
- Jaxx Restaurant
- Schooners Restaurant
- St Michael Sands Hotel
Introduction of the Basic Quality Verification
This programme has been developed to assist previously disenfranchised tourism SMMEs to obtain formal accreditation through a two-year programme. Thinking Pair has been appointed by South African Tourism (SAT) as the service provider to manage and facilitate the rollout in KZN. We are part of the Project Steering Committee which is an advisory body for the programme, reviewing project execution and implementation, while guiding these rural-based businesses.
Product Development
Umzumbe River Trail
We partnered with KZN EDTEA and Umzumbe Local Municipality to take 10 Umzumbe homestay owners to the Eastern Cape in March. This gave insight into best practices for running homestays to enrich our Umzumbe River Trail experience for visitors.
We accompanied KZN EDTEA on a visit to the iNkosi and community of Nhlangwini in 2022 to introduce the programme of invasive alien plant removal along the Umzumbe River Trail and surrounding areas. The project is now underway, upskilling locals and creating several job opportunities.
Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre
We have installed a one-directional sign on the local Dingimbiza Road which connects Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre to the nearby provincial road.
Nyandezulu Experience
We are excited to announce that hinterland visitor numbers are growing, with two Nyandezulu guides hosting four groups between January and mid-March 2023. They started by hiking to Ntantana Mountain before taking a dip at Nyandezulu Waterfall, concluding with a visit to a local tavern. It is great to learn that more local SMMEs, such as spaza shops and taverns, are benefiting from the hinterland visits.
Mission Tourism Route
We launched the Mission Tourism Route last quarter taking visitors to key historic sites, connecting with the greater KZN and Eastern Cape. We hosted key media and stakeholders for the official launch, which was very well received, with plans in place to expand the product by introducing other religious denominations into the tourism package.
Tourist Guide Training
Upskilling remains an important part of our product development, and this includes tour guide training. This quarter, we trained 10 new guides as part of the Mission Tourism Route.
Tourism Awareness
In partnership with St Faiths SAPS, KZN Liquor Authority, and other key stakeholders, we visited Mqhakama High School in Umzumbe in February to create awareness about recycling and the importance of keeping areas clean. An example of the impact and value of recycling was the Women Art and Craft cooperative from Gamalakhe which uses recycled products to earn extra income.