Development Update
One of our key roles is developing and supporting our sustainable tourism initiatives while upskilling our local communities. Through this, we are growing our tourism economy and creating a more inclusive tourism economy that extends into the rural areas. This quarter, we have undertaken several projects to bring our youth and rural communities into mainstream tourism.
1. Product Development
The KwaXolo Caves Adventures is currently under construction with new facilities being built, including a restaurant and a 106km zipline, to enhance rural tourism and create local employment opportunities. The upgrade is set for completion by April 2025, however, the site continues to welcome tourists to explore the caves and walk across the suspension bridge.
2. SMME Support
SMME Training
On 21 August 2024, in partnership with South African Tourism (SAT), we conducted a virtual training for 41 SMMEs on how to market their tourism businesses, including techniques and demonstrations.
Support to Crafters
In partnership with San Lameer Country Club, we created a platform for three local crafters to showcase and sell their products at the prestigious SA Women’s Golf Competition from 4 to 6 September 2024.
3. Youth Support
National Skills Fund (NSF)
Tourism World Academy was appointed by the Department of Higher Education and Training to implement the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project on behalf of the National Skills Fund (NSF). This project enables young people to complete their qualifications and gain practical work experience. Alongside tourism, the WIL project includes qualifications in business management, human resources development, marketing and more.
Partnering with Tourism World Academy and local municipalities, we coordinated the recruitment of graduates and facilitated the sourcing of host employers between June and August 2024. Graduates from Umdoni, Umzumbe and Ray Nkonyeni attended the induction on 2 August 2024 at Umzumbe MPCC; while Umuziwabantu graduates were inducted on 5 August 2024 at Umuziwabantu Municipality. There were 56 graduates from Ugu District placed with host employers for 12 to 24 months, starting from September 2024.
Tourism Monitors
We partnered with the Department of Tourism to issue uniforms to Tourism Monitors in preparation for the peak season. These monitors are deployed at several KZN South Coast attractions and beaches between Southport and Margate to enhance tourism safety until the programme ends in March 2025.
CATHSSETA Discretionary Grants
We partnered with Tourism World Academy to ensure the three CATHSSETA youth programmes; Assistant Chef, Professional Cookery, and Tour Guiding, are successfully run on the KZN South Coast.
– Assistant Chef Programme
Some 20 students were inducted at Umuziwabantu Municipality on 21 June 2024 before undergoing one month of theory training and two months of practical training in different establishments until the end of September 2024. To accommodate all students, we sought host employers in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality as well.
– Professional Cookery Programme
Designed for the Umdoni youth, this programme welcomed self-employed participants with catering businesses or those looking to upskill in the culinary industry. After being inducted on 19 August 2024 at Happy Wanderers Holiday Resort (kindly offered free of charge), the students have been attending theory training at Umzinto Dining Hall once a week.
– Tour Guiding Programme
Umzumbe was the chosen site for this programme as the region is identifying and developing new attractions including Mawuleni Nature Reserve, Msikazi Mountain, and others. Some 30 tour guide students were inducted at Umzumbe Council Chambers on 5 August 2024 before completing three months of theory training. They have subsequently embarked on nine-month practical training ending in June 2025.
Esayidi TVET College Breakfast Indaba
We participated in the 2024 Breakfast Indaba hosted by Esayidi TVET College – Gamalakhe Campus on 19 September 2024. The event fostered partnership opportunities between the college and local businesses, paving the way for sourcing host employers to partake in future youth internship programmes. We also assisted the college by recommending potential tourism businesses for the programme.