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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says government is committed to enhancing tourism investment and safety to attract more visitors to South Africa.  

“We will work to find and action solutions to anything that stands in the way of that objective to grow tourism’s contribution to the country’s economy as espoused in the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP),” she stressed.

As part of her oversight duties, De Lille on Wednesday visited various sites within the Kruger National Park (KNP) to inspect investment projects by her Ministry and the private sector. 

“With our vast natural beauty and wildlife, the KNP is a must-see attraction on the bucket lists of travellers from all over the world and the country. 

“As with all tourist attractions, it is vital that this attraction is maintained to provide tourists with a world-class and authentically South African experience.”

The visit aimed to chart a way forward on how the KNP and all government spheres can unite to enhance tourism’s performance to achieve progress on the key priorities outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The priorities, De Lille said, include tour operator licenses, e-visas, tourism safety, the Tourism Equity Fund, infrastructure development, increasing the volume and value of domestic and international tourism, and the Tourism Sector Master Plan. 

These, according to the Minister, are all aimed at increasing demand for tourism and boosting the number of domestic and international tourists visiting South Africa.  

“It is well known that unfortunately there have been many crime incidents in and around the Kruger with criminals attacking tourists and this is a matter that we take very seriously, not only because we want to safeguard tourists. 

“But we cannot have criminality stand in the way of our tourist attractions thriving because that is how we can ultimately create more jobs for our people and bring prosperity for all.”

The Minister labelled tourism as an important sector in the country’s economy due to South Africa’s attractiveness to travellers and the thousands of jobs created. 

She said she also received a briefing from the South African National Parks (SANParks) management on general tourism activities and safety matters. 

The Minister has since committed to work with the national, provincial and local government, private sector and communities to enhance safety in and around the KNP.

In May this year, she held a National Tourism Safety Forum meeting with all MECs for Tourism and the private sector on plans to enhance safety and how to communicate these security measures worldwide. 

Meanwhile, she said the department is finalising a training curriculum which is set to deploy more than 2 200 tourism safety monitors to key tourist attractions and hotspot areas across the country in the coming months. 

De Lille also announced that her department has set aside R174 million for this programme to improve safety around the 59 tourism hotspots identified by the National Tourism Safety Forum. 

Of these, 350 will be stationed at SANParks establishments, with 100 to be deployed to the KNP. 

Green Tourism Incentive Programme

She also gave an update on the department’s Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP), a key project to address climate change and water and electricity constraints in the country. 

The GTIP, she said, will see the department co-funding energy and water retrofitting projects at privately owned tourism establishments to facilitate more sustainable operations and uninterrupted visitor experiences. 

She announced that they opened eight GTIP application windows to date, with the most recent application window closing on 30 June 2023. 

“While applications received during the eight application window are currently being processed, the previous seven application windows of the GTIP already yielded 130 approved applications with a total grant value of R76.1 million disbursed by the department for the installation of energy and water saving measures at tourism establishments across the country,” she explained.

Meanwhile, before the rolling out of the GTIP programme, the department provided eight state-owned tourist attractions with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. 

These sites included Robben Island, three National Botanical Gardens in the Western Cape, Free State and Northern Cape as well as four sites in KNP in Mpumalanga at the tune of R98.5 million for a combined total of 2.7 megawatts (MW) of installed renewable energy generating capacity. – SAnews.gov.za
 

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, is attending the 43rd Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council in Kenya, Nairobi. 

The meeting, which will take place today and Friday, 13 July 2023, will gather Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the AU. 

“The AU Commission has also invited the Ministers of Finance because the agenda of the Executive Council is dominated by matters of the AU budget and finances,” the department explained. 

The gathering will take place under the 2023 AU theme, ‘Accelerating of AfCFTA Implementation’.

“The Executive Council is expected to consider the reports on the financial state of the organisation in terms of the implementation of its key priorities including, maintaining peace and security on the continent, implementing Agenda 2063, improving Africa’s socio-economic status, addressing the devastating impact of climate change in Africa, advocating for human rights and good governance across the continent,” the department explained. 

In addition, the Executive Council will receive a briefing on the progress made in the implementation of the AU’s institutional reforms and Agenda 2063.

They will also receive a report on the candidatures that have expressed their wish to represent Africa in the various organisations and institutions in the international system.

The committee is preceded by the 3rd Extra-Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers (COM) of Trade meeting on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  

South Africa is represented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Fikile Majola. 

In addition, the 5th meeting of the Mid-Year Coordination Council (MYCM) will take place on 16 July 2023.

“This is a meeting at the Heads of State level but only attended by members of the Bureau of the AU Assembly, heads of the various regional economic communities, heads of AU organs, and specialised agencies. 

“Heads of State and former Heads of State who are champions of thematic issues are also invited.”

Pandor will also use the opportunity of her visit to Kenya to have bilateral meetings with some of her counterparts. – SAnews.gov.za
 

By Tasneem Carrim

In 1990, the winds of change were slowly sweeping our nation, and on 11 February 1990 South Africa was abuzz with the news of the release of former President Nelson Mandela.

Having spent most of his adult life behind bars, Nelson Mandela was more myth than a man.  He along with others such as OR Tambo were giant figures in our national psyche, but few people had ever seen or interacted with them. 

On 11 February 1990 all this changed; with the eyes of the entire world upon us, South Africans waited with baited breath to meet the man behind the legend.

When Nelson Mandela finally emerged from the gates of the then Victor-Verster Prison in Cape Town he greeted the expectant crowd with a salute. The first steps he took as a free man energised the crowd, and the ripples of excitement echoed throughout our nation.  With those first few steps, he broke the shackles of hundreds of years of oppression and set our nation on the path to freedom and democracy.

The release of Nelson Mandela signalled a turning point in our country; it set us on a new path and banished the evil apartheid system to the pages of history.

Those of us who lived through this jubilant and hopeful time in our nation would be forgiven for thinking at the time that freedom and democracy would cure all society’s ills. This was of course never going to be the case, and as we have since learned, democracy is a process, not a destination.

Many of the deep-rooted problems that we inherited such as poverty, inequality and unemployment continue to plague us today, and the many sins of the past still shape our shared future. Building a country from the ground up was never going to be easy, pre 1994 South Africa was the pariah of the world and technically bankrupt. 

Nelson Mandela and our other leaders in 1994 recognised that to build anew we had to turn our diverse population into a strength.  They recognised that we were better together, that we needed each other, and that working together we could begin to envision a new future together.   

This process has continued unabated since 1994 and although we have undeniably made massive strides, much still needs to be done. We are therefore lucky to be able to call on the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela to assist us as we strive to move South Africa forward. Throughout his life, he continually emphasised the need for national unity, social cohesion and nation building.  This vision allowed us to emerge from the mire of apartheid into a free and democratic nation in 1994. 

We should also never forget that our Constitution lays the foundation for an open society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.

Shaping a common and prosperous future therefore lies in our hands.  Nelson Mandela famously said on the occasion of his 90th birthday at a concert in Hyde Park, London; “It’s in your hands now”.

This sentiment of all of us taking the lead in shaping the future we want to see is echoed in the annual commemoration of Mandela Month, where we are all called upon to work together for a better and equitable society for all. 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Madiba’s passing in December 2013. To commemorate this, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has themed the 10-Year Remembrance call to action “The Legacy Lives on Through You”.

Some might well ask but how can I make a difference, or what can I do to build on a legacy of a person who was clearly extraordinary? 

It is true that Madiba did great things and his legacy continues to inspire today.  However, throughout his life he simply worked for the benefit of others and to better our nation.

We have that power as individuals and our actions can make massive changes.  By living responsibly and indeed taking responsibility for our actions, we can make a difference. One area where we can all contribute is to help in keeping the lights on.   Do the right thing and report metals theft and illegal connections, switch off the lights during peak consumption periods, refuse to buy stolen goods.  These seemingly small and insignificant actions can make a massive difference, especially when multiplied across communities and our nation.

The same principle of communities and individuals looking out for each other apply in all aspects of life.  Let us therefore build on Madiba’s legacy by staying true to our founding ideals of justice, equality and a non-racial South Africa. We have always been stronger when we are united and together we can begin to build a society where all people are given the chance to live their dreams.

By working together, we can find solutions to our growing social and economic challenges. South Africa belongs to all who live in it, and we have no choice but to move forward together to ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for all.

Government therefore calls on all South Africans to ensure that we live the ideal of ensuring that “The Legacy Lives on Through You”.

* Tasneem Carrim is the Chief Director of Policy and Research at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has described the late Ronald “Ronnie” Mamoepa as a dear friend, comrade and struggle hero.  

Mashatile, who spoke on Wednesday at the official launch of the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation, told delegates at the event that he shared fond memories with his late friend. 

“When it was not fashionable, Ronnie, from the dusty streets of Pheli [Atteridgeville], joined the movement to fight for freedom. We are indeed today almost 30 years into freedom and democracy, and this is because of the sacrifices and contributions of Ronnie and his generation.  

“The youth at the time never stood on the side. They, like Ronnie, opposed the apartheid tyranny. He understood that his future and that of his offspring and generations depended on him.”

According to the country’s second-in-command, Mamoepa was part of a group that helped build the ANC in Gauteng. 

Because of his skills and capacity to communicate effectively, Mamoepa transcended into government to become one of the best communicators.

Mamoepa’s last job at the time of his passing in 2017 was then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.

“It is because of people like Ronnie and Thabo Masebe that today we have the best communication machinery for government through the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).”

He believes that for them to be honoured, the GCIS, the National School of Government and institutions of learning should incorporate talks about political communication and research to learn about their legacy.

The Deputy President thanked the Freedom Park senior management for hosting the commemoration through the establishment of the foundation.

The guests also observed the wreath-laying at the Wall of Names at Freedom Park, immortalising the name and legacy of Mamoepa amongst the esteemed heroes and heroines who contributed to the liberation struggle. 

These include Chris Hani, Ruth First, Zachariah Keodirelang “ZK” Matthews, Govan Mbeki, Lilian Ngoyi, Charlotte Maxeke and many more. 

Held under the ‘Recommitting the legacy of Ronnie Mamoepa through social activism’ theme, the Deputy President said the event was a clarion call for all citizens to emulate the undying spirit of selflessness, dedication and humanity that the late spokesperson championed.    

“Ronnie, the griot, was one of the most esteemed struggle heroes, a defender of freedom and democracy, a seasoned government communicator, and a dedicated public servant.” 

He said the foundation was based on the principles that the late comrade upheld.

“Ronnie was a man of exceptional courage, unwavering determination, and deep compassion. He was a relentless advocate for the rights of the marginalised and oppressed.”

The Deputy President recalled how he boldly spoke out against injustice, stood up against discrimination, and fought for a better, more inclusive society.

“His legacy serves as a beacon of hope for those who continue to carry on his work. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we must never lose sight of our shared responsibility to create more equitable and just communities.

“On this important occasion, we should perhaps ask ourselves this question: How would Ronnie have responded to the current social-political challenges facing our country and would he be pleased with the current political paradigm?”

He is of the view that the man he knew would be concerned about the plight of the people.  

“He would be advocating for unity and accountability. He would be asking questions about how far we are in dealing with the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequalities.”

He also commended the GCIS for honouring the fallen hero by renaming their Press Room the Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre.

The Deputy President also shared words of comfort to Mamoepa’s widow and children. 

“We will also ensure that the legacy of our brother, friend and comrade, Ronnie lives on. Ronnie is a hero of our struggle. He is worthy of being commemorated forever.” – SAnews.gov.za