Speaking at the two-day tourism conference in Ekurhuleni, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance and Economic Development, Councillor Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said it was time that Ekurhuleni’s tourism potential was released.
R10 million had been allocated in the 2016/17 financial year for the creation of a tourism hub in Khumalo Street, Thokoza, as part of the broader township revitalisation plan, said Xhakaza. “The objective is to turn the once notorious street into a tourism destination of choice.”
Kgomotso Pooe, Director of Soweto Outdoor Adventures, encouraged township entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities that existed in their backyard. “We as township people need to manufacture local products that represent us, we need to show the flair and fire that is always associated with the township.” Among the biggest challenges outlined by the guest speakers was that entrepreneurs did not know the value of township businesses. Compared with mainstream tourism, township tourism was still marginal and needed to be taken advantage of as it provided economic opportunities and advancement for local entrepreneurs.
Xhakaza said his department had developed a Tourism Strategy 2016-2021 that would see development of the tourism infrastructure. He added that the city had committed resources to develop a high-tech tourism information management system, establish a visitor information centre at OR Tambo International Airport and develop a waterfront at Germiston Lake, which would include a food court and a mini conference centre.
The development of a Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) Museum is also on the cards, which will give visitors an account of CODESA negotiations which took place in Kempton Park to pave the way for the democratic regime.
Another concept that was discussed was e-tourism – the use of social media and existing technologies, such as video and audio, to allow tourists to experience the destinations without physically being there and to explore those places before embarking on their visit.
