The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority is set to celebrate Tourism Month with focus on the province’s cultural heritage and tourism legacy.
Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, announced the celebrations will take place at the uMgungundlovu Multimedia Centre in Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on September 12. The venue, honouring four centuries of Zulu history, is known as the royal capital of Zulu King Dingane.
“The Tourism Month celebrations will start in Zululand, the home of Zulu Kingdom heritage, where tourism numbers have increased from 305 018 in 2022 to 364 160 in 2023. “
It is time to remind each other that KwaZulu-Natal is a destination like no other in the world, added Zondi. “It has rich cultural traditions, history and heritage and this is what draws countless thousands of visitors to the province every year.
“As the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority enters a new era, following the merger of Tourism KZN and the Film Commission, the entity is looking forward to igniting that unique Zulu Kingdom brand.”
This September, the Zulu Kingdom’s celebration of the country’s tourism and heritage will include various imikhosi showcasing the region’s distinct cultural attractions including the:
- Reed dance at Emachobeni Royal Palace on September 6-8
- 40th annual reed dance at eNyokeni Royal Residence on September 14.
Welcome activations
The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority and other government departments, such as the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute, Zululand District Municipality and Ulundi Local Municipality, will host welcome activations promoting Zululand as a “must visit” cultural heritage destination.
Furthermore, the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority is working on a world-class documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the reed dance. A film crew will spend three days capturing footage for the documentary to be released next year.
The activities will end on World Tourism Day, September 27, celebrating South Africa’s Tourism Month theme: “Tourism and peace: 30 years of connecting people, places and culture”.
KwaZulu-Natal’s natural heritage was also acknowledged recently when Sibhudu Caves and Ohlange in Inanda were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Zondi pointed out.
“The resurgence of heritage and cultural tourism comes as the KwaZulu-Natal tourism industry receives particularly good news for the development of cultural sites in the Zululand region.’’
