THE Department of Tourism has confirmed that over 10 million international tourists arrived on South African soil in 2016. This is a major increase from 2015 of over 8 million arrivals.
This shows that tourism plays a major role in the South African economy. President Jacob Zuma highlighted this in the 2017 State of the Nation Address, where he noted the growing significance that the tourism industry has on the creation of much needed employment in South Africa. The latest statistics released by StatsSA show that tourism retained 711 746 jobs in 2015.
Department of Tourism Minister, Dereck Hanekom, believes that, “the spectacular growth in tourist arrivals indicates that the close collaboration between various government departments, between the Department of Tourism and industry, and between suppliers and service providers on the ground has paid off.”
Tourism will continue to grow as South Africa is becoming one of the most favorable destinations in the world. READ MORE.
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
Umntwana womgquba a term traditionally used in the Nguni language that means “born out of wedlock,” but nowadays it is used to emphasise that one is born kwisintu. As lontwana, I look back on my own adventures: sometimes I pat myself on the back, and sometimes I wish I could redo them.
Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
