Sustainable Tourism Handbook

The Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Handbook South Africa Volume 8 The Essential Guide

ISBN 0-62055-9874

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780620 559874

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people were involved in the project over a 3 month period.

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recycled bottles to create the chandeliers at the Watershed.

2019 they chose to bring their PEOPLE Inbusiness purpose to life in a tangible “anywhere anytime” PLANET & way. They wanted to showcase how spectacular African creativity is BUSINESS truly and tell a positive narrative about the • • • •

Airport Meet and Greets Exclusive door-to-door transfer service Chauffeur Drive services Operational assistance and staffing with conferences / major groups

continent that demonstrates Africa as a place of hope and magic.

To do this, they partnered with local talent, thought leaders and industry experts who are passionate about sustainable African art, to help create

Wola Nani used

683 kg

of recycled paper from the V&A Waterfront Waste Recovery and Recycling Plant for recovering the plastic baubles and Christmas trees.

and curate the festive showcase.

The V&A Waterfront’s unique differentiator is its adjacency and access to the ocean. As such, they are seen as leaders in the protection of the environment, endeavouring to generate zero waste wherever possible. Their green business policies promote optimal water, waste and energy efficiency for staff, visitors and tenants alike, and they have been

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baskets for cascading displays all over the property.

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of felt to cover the snowflakes, planets and Christmas trees.

TRAVEL WITH EASE Mega Coach and Magic Transfers are committed to providing the best transport solutions and service delivery to clients, which is fulfilled by the staff we employ. We know that in order to gain competitive advantage on both local and international level, our service has to be of world class standards.

We have achieved this by ensuring that our staff are competent to deal with all aspects of the business. They are trained to be fully conversant with geographical layout, road conditions, permit requirements for cross border travel, and the length of time a journey is likely to take.

This knowledge is then put into practice by utilising these skills to assist our clients in providing the most comparative quotes. Each enquiry is treated on an individual basis and staff liaise closely with clients regarding their specific requirements. We pride ourselves on the efficiency of replies and our versatility in providing additional services including refreshments and tour guides as required.

One of our top priorities is the safety of our passengers. We have therefore imposed strict quality controls and assessments on our drivers. All drivers undergo in-house training and regular refresher courses over and above the normal passenger license requirements to further safeguard passengers.

All vehicles undergo stringent checks before they leave the depots and our national support network ensures prompt attention in the unlikely event of mechanical failure. We have depots in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

JHB: +27 11 249 8700 CPT: +27 21 505 6400 DBN: +27 31 263 2647 www.megacoach.co.za

JHB: +27 11 548 0800 CPT: +27 21 505 6300 DBN: +27 31 263 2647 www.magictransfers.co.za

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ADVERTORIAL

Otjimbondona End Namibia on a high

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tjimbondona, meaning “the place where the small camel thorn trees grow� in a local ethnic group language, was bought by the Slaney family in 1922 to farm with sheep and cattle.

Wilfried and Anita, took over the farm in 2008 as the third generation of cattle farming Slaneys and are welcoming guests to their boutique lodge, Otjimbondona Kalahari.

Otjimbondona is situated 120 km south east of Windhoek, and 80 km from the Hosea Kutako International Airport, on a now 4000 hectare Private Nature Reserve on the fringes of the Namibian Kalahari. The Manor House and surrounds is the meeting point for all meals, to do a work-out in the gym, enjoy meeting other guests while having sundowners at the fire place, or just lounge

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around the infinity pool as well as meet for your activities. The activities offered are nature/game drives where a great variety of game and birds can be sighted, or a farm drive for some insight into farming in Namibia. For the more active we offer biking or nature walks.

Massages, Mani- and Pedicures are offered by our in-house masseuse in the comfort of your Villa. Scenic Flights from our farm can be arranged to destinations of your choice.

This hidden gem with its inviting Manor House and four comfortable Villas is the perfect place to end your Namibian adventure, celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or have a small intimate wedding, or it provides a haven for those who simply wish to relax and unwind.

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Otjimbondona offers those seeking luxury, exclusivity and tranquility the ideal African retreat.

Four luxurious Villas offering modern comforts in an exquisite Kalahari landscape, each decorated to depict a different theme.

The Villas offer complete privacy to complement the romantic setting.

Travel by air, all with window seats, to experience our wildlife, the vast picturesque African landscapes and the freedom of travelling to remote locations in the comfort of your own private plane.

Tel:+264 81 243 5478 or Tel:+264 81 127 4358 welcome@otjimbondona.com www.otjimbondona.com

In the heart of the South of Namibia, in the small village of Bethanie, echoes the heartbeat of Namibia’s oldest Hotel.

First built in 1880, the Bethanie Hotel and Guesthouse is nestled between beautiful mountains and surrounded by wide-open spaces, on the edge of the world’s oldest desert. The original building still stands today with a newly renovated modern finish, but it has lost none of its old charm and is stacked with cultural history and influence.

Situated in the midst of the Southern tourist attractions, the Bethanie Hotel and Guesthouse is known as the hidden secret of the South. With breathtaking views of the Fish River Canyons, wild horses, the diamond shores of Luderitz and the Sossusvlei sand dunes, it is easy to see why.

We offer: • Luxury rooms with en-suite bathrooms • Home cooked meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner and light meals • Safe & secure parking • Swimming pool & beautiful garden • Tea/beer garden • Fully licensed bar

• • • • •

DSTV lounge & pool table Fireplace Wi-Fi Camping facilities Weddings & special occasion functions • Conference centre Offering luxury accommodation at affordable prices, home-cooked meals at the Lapa restaurant, a swimming pool and lovely garden – Bethanie Hotel and Guesthouse ensures the ultimate dining and sleeping experience. The premises also boasts a kiosk and farmstall, named Route14 Pitstop.

Your stay with us will be comfortable and peaceful as personal service is our priority.

An unforgettable stay is guaranteed.

For reservations or more about the history of the hotel, contact Lambert or Dorette Vos on +264 63 283013 or visit www.bethaniehotel.com Do you want to win yourself an extra night on top of your confirmed booking? Answer this simple question: What is the Hotel’s exact location?

SMS your answer to: 0026481-398-8813

The Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Handbook South Africa Volume 8 The Essential Guide EDITOR Carl Momberg

DIVISIONAL HEAD OF SALES Madeleine Jansen

CONTRIBUTORS Caroline Ungersbock, Lorraine Keenan, Carl Momberg, Rhian Berning, Martin Hatchuel, Jacqui Taylor, Toroga Denver Breda, Lorin Bowen, Dr Dewald Venter, Unathi Sonwabile Henam, Memme Ramaila

SALES TEAM Madeleine Jansen and Denise Hartnell

LAYOUT & DESIGN Monique Petersen PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Ralph Staniforth PROOF READER Caroline Ungersbock CLIENT LIAISON OFFICER Lizel Olivier

DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION MANAGER Edward MacDonald MANAGING DIRECTOR Robert Arendse FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Andrew Brading PUBLISHER

www.alive2green.com www.sustainable tourism.co.za

The Sustainability Series Of Handbooks PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Cape Media House 28 Main Road Rondebosch Cape Town 7700

ISBN No: 978 0 620 45240 3. Volume 3 First Published February 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any way or in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher or the Editor. All editorial contributions are accepted on the understanding that the contributor either owns or has obtained all necessary copyrights and permissions.

IMAGES AND DIAGRAMS: TEL: 021 447 4733 Space limitations and source format have affected the size of certain published images and/or diagrams in this publication. For larger PDF versions of these FAX: 086 6947443 Company Registration Number: images please contact the Publisher.

2006/206388/23 Vat Number: 4130252432 Partners/ Affiliates/ Media Partners:

DISTRIBUTION AND COPY SALES ENQUIRIES robert@capemedia.co.za INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ENQUIRIES robert@capemedia.co.za PAPER ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES madeleine.jansen@alive2green.com

WWW.NKASALUPALALODGE.COM WWW.SERONDELALODGE.COM WWW . JBCAMP . COM

Foreword

Caroline Ungersbock – Chair and co-founder – Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme Caroline Ungersbock

I

would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Niki Glen for her involvement in this publication over the past seven Volumes. It felt very strange working on this handbook without her great input. Niki took the decision to follow an exciting path. We worked together for many years as co-founders of the Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme. We miss her dearly and wish her much success going forward.

This year we invited Carl Momberg from Cape Info to assist with the editing of this handbook.

Carl, thank you for your efficiency, your direction and of course thank you for being a great critic for tourism.

We all thought that 2020 was the year of plenty. The Covid-19 pandemic will present us with plenty of casualties, plenty of job losses, plenty of small business closures and loss of lives. Thank you to the leaders in the industry and countries around the world for taking the firm decisions that they are taking.

There is a Tourism Technical Committee at the SABS the TC 0228 Committee that looks at all tourism standards. As the Chairperson of the

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TC0228 Committee, I was privileged to speak at the ISO General Assembly. National Standardisation Bodies from 114 countries attended the event which was hosted in South Africa by the SABS. In light of the pandemic COVID-19 that has almost annihilated tourism locally and around world, we will have to think of how we can grow tourism sustainably once we come out on the other side.

We held our first International Tourism Film Festival Africa. It was a very small event but it had a great impact. We had films from 89 countries, had 20 Jury members evaluating 147 films from 864 entries.

Film Tourism is a sustainable way of growing tourism as the tourism films promote destinations.

We look forward to the participation of more African countries entering the International Tourism Film Festival Africa.

May everyone have strength over this time. May we all act responsibly and grow sustainably.

Take Care

Hermanus Whale Cruises

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Editor’s Note

Carl Momberg

W

ho could have believed that it would take a few short weeks to completely close down South Africa’s tourism industry?

The first case of coronavirus in South Africa was announced on 5 March 2020, followed by the declaration of a National State of Disaster on 15 March, the closure of South Africa’s borders and then the total lockdown from 27 March.

That closed all hotels, accommodation establishments, restaurants and any other business that did not provide an essential service. The sale of alcohol and cigarettes was banned. Many in the tourism and hospitality industries fall outside the safety nets announced by government – the tour guides, mom & pop businesses, restaurants,

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guest houses, B&B’s, and most self-catering accommodation. Governments don’t have answers…

What was inconceivable is the new normal.

There is no roadmap for the future. And there are no visionary tourism leaders showing the way. The day before the lockdown was announced, Sol Kerzner departed this world after a battle with cancer. He was the last of the truly great visionaries and his departure somehow emphasized the empty space he left behind.

Tourism has grown in spite of politicians, not because of them. That’s the only lesson one can take into the future.

Carl Momberg 6 April 2020

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ADVERTORIAL

Hammerstein Africa Enjoy the Namib splendor

A

t Hammerstein Africa Lodges, we believe in upholding certain standards for our patrons. Each lodge has a cool clear swimming pool where you can relax after a long hot sweaty day of adventuring, a lounge and bar area to have a refreshing drink and chat with friends and fellow travelers, free WiFi in the lounge area, and mouth-watering wholesome meals.

Not only do we wish that you enjoy your sleep and cuisine when visiting any of the Hammerstein Africa Lodges, but we want you to go back home invigorated by grand adventure and exclusive experiences.

You can do guided nature drives in the area to look at how many unique fauna and flora adapted to desert life, sundowners to farewell yet another spectacularly full day, or marvel at the splendors of the Namib with trips to Sossuvlei and Sesriem Canyon.

Desert Hills Lodge is our premium luxury lodge. The lodge comprises of 18 individual on-suite luxury huts, inspired by the San peoples grass huts of old. Aside from fine dining you can also enjoy a wine tasting experience of

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THE TOURISM HANDBOOK

local and international wines from our stocked cellar accompanied by a delicious collection of cheese, local desert olives and fresh garden herbs.

Coming down from the escarp of Southern Namibia on the C19, We Kebi Safari Lodge is the first lodge one finds. Eland and Zebra lazily graze on the lawn and around the pools, establishing the ancient calm of the desert’s timeless nature which envelopes the lodge.

Based on the basic principles of good food and sound sleep, We Kebi is the ideal stop over to recharge, recover and refresh your body and soul.

The place where it all started and root of the name for the group of lodges, Hammerstein Lodge has established itself over three decades as an immovable rock in Namibia’s hospitality sector.

Humble in nature but not compromising comfort and quality, Hammerstein provides accommodation at a slightly lower rate than our other properties, making it the perfect stopover for any traveller, lodge accommodation, self-catering or camping, whether alone or in a bigger group.

Desert Hills Lodge Home of the Desert Sunset escape, explore, enjoy

Hammerstein Lodge Wholesome, Timeless Goodness

rest, relax, reinvigorate

We Kebi Safari Lodge

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Desert Hills Lodge | deserthillslodge.com | dhl@exclusive.com.na | Bookings +264 61 237 294 Hammerstein Lodge | hammersteinlodge.com | hammerst@hammersteinafrica.com | Bookings +264 63 293 535 We Kebi Safari Lodge | we-kebi.com | wekebi@iway.na | Bookings +264 61 237 294

THE TOURISM HANDBOOK

15

CONTENTS 10

Foreword

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Eds Note

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Sustainable Development Goals for the Sustainability of our Future – What role does the Tourism industry play?

Caroline Ungersbock

32

Standards and Tourism - Why standards are necessary in Tourism – ISO/TC 228 Committee Caroline Ungersbock

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Voluntourism – Food that fed my soul Lorraine Keenan

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Regeneration and Resilience Rhian Berning

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#BiodiversityRises: Restoring a Reserve Martin Hatcheul

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Does climate change affect farmers?

Jacqui Taylor

64

Bees for Africa Memme Ramaila

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It’s up to local communities to make tourism work Carl Momberg

78

Why First Nation KHOE tourism matters in South Africa?

Toroga Denver Breda

84

It isn’t that difficult Lorin Bowen

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Film Tourism and Tourism Film Festivals Caroline Ungersbock

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Sustainable Adventure Tourism Dr Dewald Venter

100

The Impact of the Corona virus on Tourism in South Africa Unathi Henama

106

2020 is the Year of Plant Health Compiled by Caroline Ungersbock.

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Contributors

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Advertisers Index

Luxury Accommodation Five Star Conference Facilities Eco-Education & Spa Facilities Community Development

A dose of relaxation & excitement...

Excelsior Wine Estate Excelsior Wine Estate has been in the de Wet family since 1859 and has a long history of producing good quality wine. The family philosophy is that good wine starts in the vineyards – the wine maker can only succeed with the best ingredients to work with.

The wine farm is situated in the Western Cape, South Africa, where the fifth generation of the De Wet family continues the special relationship with the terroir of this great property of the Breede River Valley.

History

During 1859 the first member of the De Wet family began clearing the veld of the Little Karoo, today known as Robertson/Ashton. By the 19th century De Wet’s three sons began breeding horses and growing vines of the land.

The youngest brother, Jacobus Stephanus (Kowie) became one of the most successful ostrich breeders in the Robertson district on his farm, Excelsior. Years later the Ostrich feather industry collapsed so Kowie and his son, Oscar resorted to breeding horses.

Again, this was a success as the rich Karoo soil proved the perfect breeding ground for strong boned race horses. Thus for many years Excelsior was synonymous with the breeding of thorough-bred horses, of which there where many race winners.

As the racing industry declined, the focus shifted to the vineyard. Despite all the other ventures, wine has always been made on the Estate. It is now the most important crop on the farm.

Terroir Tradition

The farm has 230ha which have been planted with noble cultivars like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also small plantings of blending cultivars such as Petit Verdot and Viognier.

The viticulture region of Robertson lies roughly 2 hours east of Cape Town in the Breede River valley. Although it is considered a warm wine growing region, the day time temperatures are balanced by very cool night time temperatures, caused by cool breezes blowing from Cape Agulhas, thus allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and more slowly, producing berries with good extract for quality wine making.

Another advantage for the region is the lime stone rich soils. These high pH soils produce wines with a good acid structure. The rainfall is quite low, around

A long history of top quality wine 330 per annum. However the Breede River provides an adequate supply of water for irrigation.

Excelsior works on a computer-driven drip irrigation system with probes in the ground, which monitor the exact amount of water to be delivered to each vine. If one considers that too much rain, especially at harvest time, can cause the vines to take up water, which dilutes the quality of the extract in the grapes, then this type of irrigation allows the farmer to completely control the quality of the grapes.

Legacy

Freddie and his son, Peter de Wet, who currently own Excelsior, are the fourth and fifth generation of De Wets to farm the land of their ancestors. Excelsior’s rich history and tradition of winemaking has been carried over from generation to generation and it is through their magnificent wines that the De Wet’s family legacy lives on.

Core Beliefs • • • •

Quality Obsession Brand Building Premium Segment Partnership

Sustainable Development

Excelsior is committed to sowing back into the community and its workforce. Excelsior has established a crèche for children within our community. At the moment there are 20 children, between the ages of 18 months and 5 years, attending the crèche and the children are taught in accordance with a comprehensive Early Childhood Development program.

More than that Excelsior has initiated and part financed a computer room at the preparatory school, adjacent to the estate. The school has seven classrooms with approximately 30 children per class.

Furthermore Excelsior provides irrigated land on which employees can grow vegetables and assists employees with transport to Robertson for church, shopping and hospitals.

They have also assisted a former employee set up “Hendricks Honey” where Hendrick Full Fuller has established a series of beehives that sells delicious honey.

Contact us:

Tel: +27 23 615 1980 • Email: info@excelsior.co.za • Web: www.excelsior.com

The Maslow Time Square – where it’s your time to thrive

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t Sun International’s The Maslow at Time Square, the luxury is in the detail and the emphasis is on the experience. This specialist business hotel burgeons with innovations that will delight every business traveler.

Adjoined to Time Square, Sun International’s flagship casino and entertainment complex in the green precinct of Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, The Maslow Time Square is distinguished in ways that go far beyond what has become conventional for business hotels. A first for South Africa, the hotel offers multiple levels of accommodation, from standard to premium, under one roof. Its 238 guest rooms are arranged on 17 stories to offer sweeping views of the bustling Menlyn Maine Precinct, dotted with beautiful Jacaranda trees as far as the eye can see.

The Maslow caters for all the senses, offering everything every discerning guest needs. Meet and connect in meeting rooms designed to encourage collaboration, relax amidst the calming hum of the comfortable lounge, sit ankle deep in water in a sparkling pool while sipping on cocktails overlooking the bustle of Menlyn, retreat to the sanctuary

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COVER STORY

of well appointed guest rooms or get the blood pumping in the modern fitness centre.

Do business, eat, relax, play, thrive!

Located in the technologically advanced Time Square complex – an encompassing hospitality, entertainment and conferencing hub – The Maslow Time Square offers its guests access to a riveting array of experiences. Time Square is home to one of the continent’s biggest and most sophisticated casinos, a choice of restaurants and notable culinary firsts, and Tshwane’s first and only 8 500-seat, purpose-built events arena, Sun Arena. There are over 18 diverse restaurants, lounges and bars to choose from at Time Square – each with its own decisive character.

Time to regroup The guest rooms are The Maslow Time Square’s perfect reply to a full day of productivity. Each of the rooms is elegantly designed with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, luxurious linen, and deluxe amenities.

From top to bottom and bottom to the top, The Maslow is intuitively designed for the individual. The Zenith Level offers an exceptional range of facilities and premier services that are not only comprehensive, but also highly personalised, prudently crafted to provide the most exclusive experience. At the pinnacle of the high rise hotel, the Zenith Level features butler service, a fully stocked mini bar, the Luminary Lounge, the Solis Bar and infinity pool, and conferencing facilities.

The Median Level offers a deluxe experience, with a wider range of facilities and superior design qualities that meet the needs of discerning guests. On the Median Level, guests have access to a well equipped, modern fitness centre, The Maslow Hotel pool and a conference centre.

The Foundation Level, offering a full range of amenities that exceed basic accommodation needs, is designed to deliver good qual-

ity service, an appealing environment and facilities to satisfy guest expectations.

“With the very best facilities and multilevel accommodation options, The Maslow at Time Square has an unprecedented offering that puts it in a league of its own.

Every aspect has intuitively designed to help guests to balance work and life.

“Our hotel offers superior guest amenities and services which are non-intrusive and tailor-made for the individual. That’s because we understand that everyone’s needs are different,” says Ayanda Kgwathe, Hotel Manager: The Maslow Time Square.

Time to connect The Maslow Time Square features 13 bespoke venues that can accommodate conferences and events of varying types and sizes, from training, product launches, conferences and team building events to year end functions, gala dinners and weddings.

All of the conference rooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art features in an air-conditioned, carpeted and well-serviced environment. The Maslow Time Square’s meeting rooms offer inspiring locations for seminars, management meetings, training events and workshops – with access to the diversity of restaurants and leisure activities available within the Time Square complex.

Unforgettable experiences Since its opening in November 2017, the adjoining Sun Arena has played host to a myriad of concerts, lifestyle events and exhibitions. International artists and bands that have graced its stage include Bryan Adams, LIVE, Tamia, Bryan Ferry, Eric Benét, Tevin Campbell, Ben Harper, Kenny Lattimore and The Script amongst others.

Thousands have flocked to be part of events such as the Appetite Fest, Rush ESports and Geek Fest, Capital Singers, Marvel Universe Live, the Cannabis Expo, the New

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COVER STORY

Year’s Eve Block Party, Joyous Celebration and more.

The Sun Arena spans over 6 300m2 of combined seating and mixed use performance space on two levels. With capacity to host 8 500 guests at a seated event and 10 000 for a standing concert, the Sun Arena provides an unprecedented platform for staging grand scale events.

For artists and organisers, the Sun Arena provides unmatched capacity to bring their wildest ambitions for shows and events to life with state of the art technologies and features such as the roof structure, which allows for a total of 615 dedicated rigging or hang points that boast a combined maximum weight loading capacity of 299.1 tonnes.

The venue boasts an international award winning digital audio system for spectacular sound and acoustics, as well as a high definition, audiovisual system complete with large format LED screens. The design and layout of seating on two tiers deliver unobstructed views from all positions. Access to the Sun Arena is via 16 entrances; eight on the lower level and eight on the upper tier. There are four sets of public restrooms on each tier, with each offering dedicated paraplegic facilities and child changing stations. The four VIP hospitality suites can accommodate 23 people each.

Time to indulge “Time Square is a destination for a suite of cosmopolitan experiences and food is much part of this. We have partnered with some of the most innovative names in food to deliver tremendously exciting concepts, some of which have not yet been seen in this country.

From fine dining and sophisticated to fun and somewhat whacky, we present an eclectic mix to explore,” says Ruben Gooranah, Acting General Manager: Time Square. Amongst the cast of culinary personalities in this showcase are Guy

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COVER STORY

Fieri of Guy’s Big Bite and Diners, DriveIns and Dives fame; the charismatic South African chef, radio personality and owner of the multiple award winning Forti Grill & Bar in Pretoria, Fortunato Mazzone. Other characteristic restaurants include the Mexican cantina La Rosa as well as familiar favourites such as Ocean Basket and Spur.

The all-glass sphere of the upmarket Globe Bar is visible from the outside of the Time Square complex. There, discerning guests can savour premium spirits in a sophisticated setting, with panoramic views of the Menlyn bustle by day and the lights by night. The Globe Bar is also home to a bespoke collection of LOUIS XIII Cognac keeps, designed exclusively for the venue. Each of the 44 legendary LOUIS XIII decanters, are made from fine crystal and mouth-blown by some of the most skilled master craftsmen.

Offering an array of cosmopolitan entertainment experiences, a choice of restaurants, a specialist business hotel, excellent conferencing facilities and access to a state-of-the-art events arena, The Maslow Time Square is the premier destination for work and play in Tshwane,� says Gooranah.

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ADVERTORIAL

Franschhoek Motor Museum

Automobile for the ages

T

he Franschhoek Motor Museum is a world-class facility situated on the L’Ormarins Estate in the majestic Franschhoek Valley, which is a 1 hour/75km drive from central Cape Town.

The museum’s Cape Dutch architecture reflects the area’s origins and its exhibition space covers 2 700m2. Set amongst some expansive lawns, four spacious display halls are dehumidified to preserve the ageing machinery, and each holds about 20 vehicles at any one time, all mounted on individual plinths that allow clear viewing. Collectively, the halls offer visitors a special opportunity to take a luxury ride down memory lane looking at almost 120 years of motoring history through regularly changing themed displays of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia.

The birth of the museum’s collection took place in 1974, with the establishment of a transport museum at the Heidelberg railway

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station in Gauteng. Initiated and backed by local entrepreneur and conservationist Dr Anton Rupert, his enthusiasm and appreciation of the automobile led to an ongoing acquisition of a large number of vehicles,both individually and from other collections, which ultimately led to a decision in 2004 to relocate the museum’s contents to the family’s estate in Franschhoek. Dr Rupert passed away in 2006, shortly before the new museum was opened on 7 May 2007, but his equally auto-enthusiast son Johann has continued to develop the museum’s eminence.

From the rare to the exotic, from the innovative to the commercial, this superb 300plus collection of vehicles, most of which are in show condition, has been brought together not only from within South Africa but from around the globe. The oldest is a1898 Beeston motor tricycle – a 1903 Ford Model A is the oldest four-wheeler – and the most modern a 2010 Ferrari 559 GTO. Among the unique models are examples of South Africa’s only two totally homegrown marques, the GSM Dart/Flamingo and the Protea.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum’s ever-expanding inventory rivals that of most similar private collections around the world, and represents a living tribute to one family’s passion for the automobile.

For video and photo galleries of the collection, monthly newsletters and any other information about the museum, visit www. fmm.co.za.

FRANSCHHOEK MOTOR MUSEUM The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins. Across the length and breadth of Southern Africa, only one place can adequately portray the evolution of the automobile, The Franschhoek Motor Museum.

Admission prices are: R80 adults | R60 pensioners | R60 motor club members | R40 children (3-12yrs)

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Visit our website for convenient online booking.

Large buses and motorbikes enter and park at Anthonij Rupert Wyne gate. No pedestrian access from the gate. Maximum size of tour bus allowed is 22 seater, larger groups please book in advance. l’ormarins wine estate | +27 (0)21 874 9000 | fmm@fmm.co.za | www.fmm.co.za Follow us | Join our newsletter 33°52’18.8�S

18°59’54.6�E

CHAPTER 1

1

Sustainable Development Goals for the Sustainability of our Future – What role does the Tourism industry play?

I

n 2015, heads of states from 154 countries adopted 17 bold and ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This occurred at the 70th Session of the United Nations (UN gathering of Heads of States. These are the goals for 2030. For the past 3 years the UN as asked the member countries to look at certain of these goals.

The SDG’s were designed to assist in the reduction of poverty, improve health and education in developing countries. They were designed to stimulate economies and improve growth. They look at economic, social and environmental aspects which are codependent on each other.

We need to understand what the Development Goals are and see what role our businesses can play and which Development goals we personally can adopt so that we can achieve these goals as a collective.

So, I would like to bring us back to the SDG’s that involve us as human beings. Governments play a leading role as they need to provide the basic infrastructure and support to empower the people. However, we also need to be responsible for eradicating poverty by empowering ourselves and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.

These are wonderful ideals and goals to work towards but when one is in a position of

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abject poverty and all one thinks about is how to get one next meal, how can we be inclusive and how can we be think about gender equality decent work when there isn’t any, and more over economic growth. In our heads this all isn’t our responsibility. In our heads, this is all the responsibility of our municipalities and governments. We are incapable of thinking what we can do for ourselves and what our companies can do in our immediate surrounds.

We need to unpack the global thoughts to our immediate surroundings. Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world and has a considerable role to play in delivering sustainable development.

Let us look at the definition of Sustainable Tourism according to the UNWTO…. ‘Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.

We then need to unpack the above statement. What does a visitor or tourist need?

Simply put, they need to feel safe and secure. They need sufficient and accurate information to travel. This information needs to be communicated to them. Once they have travelled, a visitor want a certain level of quality and service in a safe and healthy environment.

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What does the Tourism Industry need?

It requires a decent economy. The industry needs to have regulations. The industry requires investments to grow. Public and private partnerships and collaboration are key to growing the tourism industry. Market access and decent infrastructure are also key to successful growth.

What does the environment need?

The environment requires conservation and protected areas. We need to look at resource efficiency considering use of water and electricity. The environment needs to be protected from carbon emissions and waste.

What does the community need?

A community requires what a visitor requires.

A community needs to be in a healthy environment. The people need education and jobs. Communities need infrastructure in the form of schools, clinics, hospitals, community halls, community parks, access to transport Sustainable Tourism takes all the Sustainable Development goals into consideration.

SDG1: End Poverty in all its forms everywhere It will be many years before we eradicate poverty if ever. Poverty eradication in all its forms is one of the greatest challenges to reality. Millions of people around the world lack food, clean drinking water and sanitation. They lack education and access to health care.

We need to ask the questions as to how we measure and understand poverty? We need to look at and understand what a community needs and what a community can do for themselves. Communities need to take responsibility for theirown wellbeing.

What is it that we can do? We need to work as collectives. One person grows spinach, the

next potatoes, the next tomatoes. Tourism can assist as establishments can work together with communities by providing them with jobs, purchasing the goods that they make. Purchasing the food that they grow.

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SDG2: Zero Hunger – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture We can however achieve this as a micro collective. We need to encourage and empower small scale farmers and agricultural co-operatives in the rural areas to become partners and have take-off agreements with bigger companies so that they can become involved in economic opportunities.

The basics of agriculture should be taught in schools so that the youth can be equipped to become farmers, plant our own crops, tend to cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. Tourism needs to support small scale farmers.

SDG3: Good Health and Well Being Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for people of all ages Firstly what does it mean? Health can be defined as physical, mental and social well-being Governments need to provide basic health care. We as individuals can be responsible for our own well-being.

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Tourism businesses can look after the health and the well being of the people that they employ. Staff working decent hours and getting basic education on personal hygiene and health. Providing the workforce with health benefits.

SDG5: Gender Equality – Achieve gender equality and empower women and children Simply put, it is equal treatment for all. People should not be discriminated against because of their gender. Gender equality is linked to sustainable development and is vital to the reality of Human rights for all.

It is a society in which men and women enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all facets of life. Gender equality helps prevent violence against women and children and makes communities safer and healthier.

Gender equality is good for the economy.

The tourism industry must strive for gender equality in its businesses and encourage gender equality in the value chain that they purchase goods and supplies from.

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SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation.

Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation is key to decent work and economic growth. This needs to be taught in schools.

The tourism industry needs to support the smaller businesses – whether it is cleaning materials, overalls, protective clothing, décor or training and skills development.

The tourism industry is notorious for not paying decent wages. We can only expect to provide decent work when we pay the labourers fairly and give them decent working hours. The more people earn, the more people save and spend. The more people save and spend, the quicker the economy grows.

SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation This is crucial for tourism. Infrastructure facilities are part of the tourism potential for a region.

As with the community needs, it determines the living standards of the resident population.

Tourism requires complex infrastructure to address transportation requirements, roads, railways, airports, harbours.

There needs to be supplies of electricity, water, sanitation, sewerage treatment and access to healthcare.

By upgrading infrastructure for tourism, there is a direct benefit of infrastructure for the community.

New innovations constantly need to be developed. Whether it is providing food at massive events, market access in promoting goods and services in the tourism industry, accommodating those with accessibility requirements, skills development for staff, ways

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in reducing water and electricity. Innovative ways on utilising and disposing of waste.

SDG10 – Reduce inequalities Tourism requires a large labour force.

Community development is a powerful tool for tourism development and the reduction of inequalities. Tourism is a great contributor to rural development.

SDG11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities The requirements of communities need to be addressed.

There are many common challenges in cities and towns which mostly include lack of funds to provide basic services required.

Tourism has come along way to be more inclusive as evidenced by well managed community based tourism initiatives that have been established across the world.

SDG 17 – Partnership for Goals The tourism industry needs to tackle our sustainability challenges as a collective and develop meaningful and impactful plans.

We saw a great example of this in Cape Town in 2017 when there were severe water shortages. The industry came together forming partnerships to overcome the hurdle.

Organised business platforms need to be watchdogs to make sure that MUNICIPALITIES carry out their mandates in the manner that objectives and targets can be attained that tourism can grow and thrive. Organised business platforms need to actively participate in IDP’s – the Integrated Development Planning process of the municipalities.

Communities equally need to be involved in the IDP process. Public, Private and People Partnerships should be key to the success of reaching the SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. Caroline Ungersbock

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ADVERTORIAL

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Experience Karoo fynbos - where time stands still

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scape to the Little Karoo and immerse yourself in a landscape where wildlife and flora leave you truly captivated.

Just a three-hour drive from Cape Town, along the scenic Route 62, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is one of the Western Cape’s premier wildlife destinations.

A malaria-free private game reserve, Sanbona is nestled in 58 000 hectares of towering mountains and wide-open plains offering a vast diversity of indigenous flora, an impressive collection of succulents, free roaming wildlife, San rock art, fossils and thrilling game drives.

Boasting three luxury lodges and an adventurous Explorer Camp, Sanbona promises something for everyone, even little eco-warriors. The Kids on Safari programme allows for many hours of exploration and fun – from treasure hunts, short night and day bush walks in a fenced area, insect catching and frogging, and a visit to the Skull Garden,

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there’s all this and more to experience on a Family Safari!

Dwyka Tented Lodge – its identity rooted in the style of an African safari encampment – is surrounded by cliffs dating back millions of years. Nine luxury suites, each one, part tent, part cabana, look out over the riverbed to the towering rock face above.

Tilney Manor is more serene. A flat-roofed Cape Georgian-style homestead, Tilney looks out over the renoster veld to the Kleinberg mountain range. Simply built in the 19th century, it now offers six suites clustered around a swimming pool with a terrace offering magnificent views.

Gondwana Family Lodge has been built in a rural vernacular style. Its twelve suites laid out over two stories are suitable for families with children.

For those who want the real bush experience nothing beats Explorer Camp, an authentic tented encampment laid out among the Schotia thickets in a dried-up riverbed.

The spirit of Sanbona lies not only in its commitment to rehabilitate the fragile ecosystems of the Little Karoo, but also ensures endangered wildlife and flora can be enjoyed for future generations. Being owned and operated on a not for profit basis means that your visit contributes to all current and future conservation efforts.

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IN THE CAPE

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Standards and Tourism - Why standards are necessary in Tourism – ISO/TC 228 Committee

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SO/TC 228 committee was created in 2005 under the leadership of UNE (Spain) and INNORPI (Tunisia), with 103 countries and 23 Organizations in liaison involved.

29 tourism standards have been publishedand 12 projects are being developedin topics such as diving, health tourism, adventure tourism, yacht harbours, bareboat charters, volunteer tourism, sustainable management systems for accommodation facilities and accessible tourism.

The scope of the ISO/TC 228 Committee is the standardization of the terminology and specifications of the services offered by tourism service providers, including related activities, tourism destinations and the requirements of facilities and equipment used by them, to provide tourism buyers, providers and consumers with criteria for making informed decisions.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is a South African statutory body that operates in terms of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 29 of 2008) as the national institution for the promotion and maintenance of standardization and quality in connection with commodities and the rendering of services.

South African experts participating in SABS Technical Committees (TCs) represent South Africa’s interests in the development of international standards, in bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

At a national level, the programme of work of SABS Technical Committees (TC’s)s closely

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aligns with national priorities and policies, including Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

One such TC is TC 228: Tourism, whose work focusses on developing standards to support the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector. In South Africa, tourism contributes significantly to the economy and is therefore a sector whose growth needs to be nurtured and supported.

There are also a number of other activities that are critical in supporting the tourism industry such as sharing economy, translation services and development of standards guidelines for crafts.

SABS Technical Committees and their members play a vital role in the development of standards. The commitment required varies between and within committees, depending on the current work programme and the level of participation. All participation is on a voluntary basis, and you can be involved in helping to develop standards by becoming a Committee member. Below is a list of committees, together with their Strategic Policy Statement.

Importance of the Technical Committee “Tourism is defined as the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.”

By supporting TC members to maximize the benefits of tourism standardization and

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ensure the uptake of standards, we will be helping to meet one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. Economic, environmental and societal dimensions are all directly addressed by the TC 228 standards. Organizations and companies looking to contribute to the SDGs will find that standards provide effective tools to help them rise to the challenge.

The structure of the TC The SABS TC 228 has WGs (Working Groups) which mirrors the activities of the ISO/TC 228.

WG

Title

WG 1

Diving services

WG 2

Health tourism services

WG 7

Adventure tourism

WG 8

Yacht harbors

WG 11

Bare boat charter services

WG 13

Sustainable tourism

WG 14

Accessible tourism

WG 15

Accommodation

WG 16

Sports and other recreational facilities

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Benefits expected from the work of the TC Expected benefits from the work of TC 228 are: • Create transparency in the exchange of tourism products and services • Rise consumer’s confidence in the tourism market • Help fair competition in the tourism market • Promote environmental protection by identification of environmentally friendly tourism products and services • Support policies of ethical tourism • Support “tourism for all” • Improvement of personal and property security – Adaptation to innovations • Open new markets in the broadest sense • Help developing countries to promote themselves, thereby providing economic and social benefits – Knowledge transfer, Improve customer satisfaction • All these factors will contribute to a general and common expected benefit which will stimulate the tourism market.

In the past, The Tourism Technical Committee have written two standards that have had a significant impact in the Tourism Industry.

SANS 1162:2011 – National Minimum Standards for Responsible Tourism The National Department of Tourism in partnership with tourism stakeholders and the private sector, particularly the accreditation agencies developed the South African National Standard (SANS 1162: 2011). SANS 1162 was developed with the sole objective of establishing a common understanding of responsible tourism.

SANS 1162 was developed through a consultative process with the wider tourism sector role-players. SANS 1162 was approved SABS as a South African National Standard on the 28 March 2011.

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• Economic criteria • Social and cultural criteria • Environmental criteria The 41 criteria will assist businesses create, develop and implement a responsible tourism policy that will guide the operations of the entity in the implementation of the responsible tourism practices.

They instil and practice respect for local culture and support for social development as an integral part to the implementation of responsible tourism practices and to ensure mutual co-existence and benefit for the local communities. They are there to encourage organizations to showcase local community projects and inform tourists how to interact with local communities and respect local culture and customs.

The environmental criteria are designed to assist organisations with the optimum utilization of natural resources. The criteria emphasises the importance of saving water, saving electricity and how to implement a waste management plan to limit waste produced.

The economic criteria assist tourism businesses understand and implement responsible tourism measures that maximize the economic impact of tourism on the local economy and local community.

South Africa has taken the lead within the continent by publishing a set of National Minimum Standard that are aligned to international standard ISO/IEC 17011.

The standard consists of 41 criteria divided into the following four categories: • Sustainable operations and management

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Tourism Service Excellence Standard – SANS 1197:2012 The National Department of Tourism, in partnership with tourism stakeholders and the private sector,developed the standard in 2012 as a measuring tool to assist organisations benchmark themselves as well as develop and customise their own norms and standards.

The purpose of the standard is: • To implement, maintain and enhance sustainable practices for organisations in the tourism sector and value chain for their operations and ensuring compliance with their own service excellence guidelines

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• To introduce a trustworthy service standard that includes credible marketing, quality products and excellent service; and • To introduce a system that enables effective monitoring and evaluation The National Department of Tourism has self-assessment tools and guidelines to the two standards on their website www.tourism. gov.za The National Standard for Caravan ParksSANS 10092:2015 Edition 4 is another significant standard that was revised and approved by the TC 228 Committee in 2015.

This is an example of a standard that works in conjunction with other standards, like electrical standards and building standards.

It addresses necessary requirementslike location, layout, facilities, security, universal accessibility and environmental impact. It is a great guideline for general administration and standing rules for caravan parks. It covers the services that should be available when it comes to the Reception, cleaning services and waste disposal. It takes into consideration the maintenance to the buildings, the fire-fighting equipment, the terrain and provides a preventative maintenance guideline.

It also includes the statutory obligations for a caravan park.

If we look at the different standards that are adopted, they are all necessary as they provide guidelines for business in tourism and the tourism value chain as well as giving visitors and tourist peace of mind that tourism businesses are guided by standards. Standards are written by various Tourism Technical committees around the world. They are then presented to the local TC 228 committees. The international standards can then be adopted by the local committee or they can be adapted to the local conditions.

There are normally one or two conventions annually where all the technical committees meet and work through standards that are under development in the various working

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groups. The next meeting was planned for May 2020. It is a gruelling four days of discussions and debates but there are always results.

ISO standards that are currently under development: • ISO/WD 3021 – Adventure Tourism – Hiking and trekking activities • ISO/WD 3163 – Adventure tourism – Terminology • ISO/CD 18513 – Tourism Services – Hotels and other types of tourism accommodation – Terminology • ISO/DIS 21102 – Adventure – Leaders – Personnel competence • ISO 21406 – Tourism and Related Services – Yacht harbours – Essential requirements for luxury harbours • ISO/CD 21620 – Tourism and Related services – Heritage hotels • ISO/CD 21621 – Traditional Restaurants – Visual aspects, decoration and services • ISO/DIS 21902 – Tourism and related services – Accessible Tourism for all – requirements and recommendations • ISO/DIS 22525 – Tourism and related services – Medical Tourism – Service requirements • ISO/CD 23405 – Tourism and related services – Principles and terminology of sustainable tourism • ISO/WD 24642 – Recreational diving services – Requirements for rebreather diving training As previously mentioned, the committees are made up of industry experts on a voluntary basis. The committees are poorly supported by the industry and government whilst they play such an important role. It is inconceivable that a committee member should cover their own costs to attend these conventions when they are giving up much of their time for the benefit of the tourism industry.

Caroline Ungersbock

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ADVERTORIAL

AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel Enjoy Windhoek in style

A

warded the prestigious five flowers award by Eco Awards Namibia, through selective and careful use of our resources, we are proud to be the only five flower hotel in Windhoek.

The AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel provides all of the exclusivity and privacy you might expect. This combined with our eco status has provided us to quickly gain a reputation of the perfect retreat when travelling to the capital on either vacation or business.

The AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel is located just minutes from the city centre and near to both Eros and Hosea Kutako airports.

The Hotel’s design compliments its historic character, while modern amenities ensure supreme comfort. The elegant 41-bedroom hotel wraps around a heritage building, creating an inviting courtyard to relax and enjoy the Namibian weather.

With thirty-one uniquely designed and styled courtyard rooms as well as 10 double volume luxury loft rooms, the hotel has various rooms to suit your needs. Each room offers two twin Hollywood single beds or one king-sized bed as well as private en suite bathrooms with walk-in showers.

AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel is situated on the prestigious Am Weinberg Estate which offers guests everything they may need while visiting Windhoek. Soulstice Day Spa is known for its state of the art facilities, cutting edge treatments and superior customer care, leaving clients feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

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Various eateries on the Estate include Olivia’s Kitchen, which offers great all-day healthy meals and scrumptious coffee and fresh juices. Butcher’s block caters for the meateaters offering great Namibian steaks and burgers while Cape Town Fish Market offers a huge selection of fresh fish, sushi and more.

If its exclusivity that you’re after, book a table at the hotel’s wine lounge or make your way up to the Sky Lounge for a cocktail and a Tapas style meal.

The Sky Lounge offers superb views of Klein Windhoek and an opportunity to enjoy the Namibian sunset in style.

These facilities, married with rich charm and a sense of tailor-made hospitality, as well as being a proud holder of the five flowers makes AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel a truly unique place to stay in the capital.

www.amweinberghotel.africa

windhoek | namibia

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Voluntourism – Food that fed my soul The Idea…

The idea for Hero Holidays started through a journey of self-discovery and soul searching while I was on holiday in Malawi. I happened to be listening to the chatter of some German volunteers who had just finished a long hard shift, in the sun, in Africa. I could hear the elation, the natural high they had gotten from the simple act of giving back. That’s when I thought to myself, how wonderful would it be to offer that kind of unique experience in South Africa?

Being able to give back to the previously disadvantaged people of South Africa, and at the same time showing the world the multitude of diverse-CITIES that is our country, not only does our culture have over 12 official languages, but the history, experiences and sightseeing opportunities

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is second to none. The oldest human fossils, the largest commercial bungee in the world, the staggering Drakensberg Mountain ranges, coastal roads that stretch thousands of kilometres and the wildness that is in the true essence of South Africa, with our Big 5 game reserves.

The Action…

Being able to offer this once in a lifetime experience, a holiday with a conscience. This is something I am so deeply passionate about, part of my journey was sparked by the death of my beloved son, who fell ill and left us and in some way this is my way of being able to give back to him and have with me in my journey.

Fast-forward five years and here we are, having already helped hundreds of children

3 and up skilling hundreds more. Getting our hands dirty, building infrastructure and painting schools to create a path for our youth to learn in a safe space and get the muchneeded education they so hunger for.

No looking back…

Over the years, I have had many conversations with volunteers that come and go, I always ask them what they leave with. What I have noticed is that everyone leaves our voluntourism programs leave with a massive sense of gratification, at having made a real difference is someone’s life. What may seem like a small contribution to you and I, is a massive contribution in these children’s lives.

Early Childhood Development in South Africa &the Need for Volunteering Early Childhood Development (ECD) services within South Africa require huge amounts of support from the government as well as large agencies in order to see them prosper. Organisations such as UNICEFare actively trying to improve the lives of children in SA. However,

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this still isn’t enough. Therefore, people such as you and I need to come together through volunteering in order to help make the youth of today enjoy the fruits of the future.

What is ECD like in South Africa?

According to a new report released by Statistics South Africa based on the findings of the General Household Survey data, Early Childhood Development in South Africa, 2016, there were close to 7.2 million children aged 0–6 in South Africa in 2016. Many of these children are from poor or rural communities.

These communities might not have sufficient support in the form of food, clothing or shelter.

At the moment, though, food is the top priority for children in South Africa.

As we know, good nutrition is vital for children at this age, especially with regard to breastfeeding. In the years 2015 to 2016, the stats showed that 61% of pregnant women made their first antenatal visit before 20 weeks.

Also, South Africa has a high number of people infected with HIV, making it even

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3

more difficult for any child to enjoy a stable childhood. However, their future is slowly improving. This is because of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Treatment with a combination of HIV medicines can prevent transmission of HIV to your baby and protect your health.

Coverage for pregnant women was at 93% in 2016. This high percentage means that children born to HIV-positive women stay HIV negative and healthy.

Positive results are also coming from efforts to encourage mothers to breastfeed more often. In 2016, almost 73% of children aged less than one years old were breastfed. Also, 32% of the same age group were exclusively breastfed.

Malnutrition still very high in SA These may seem like good figures, however, malnutrition is still a challenge in SA. UNICEF states that the main causes of malnutrition are “household food insecurity, inadequate care for the vulnerable groups such as maternal and childcare, insufficient essential human services including health, education, water and environmental sanitation and housing.”

Because of this, around 1 out of every 3 children from Gauteng and the Free State were stunted as a result of chronic malnutrition.

The poverty in South Africa also leads to low-birth-weights, with a 13.3% occurrence of live births of babies under 2,5kg nationally.

While the South African government is trying its best to improve these situations, the majority falls on the support of its citizens to help children in need. There are few ways to help Early Childhood Development in South Africa, namely through volunteering and donations.

The Value of Volunteering There are many different ways one can help improve ECD in South Africa, however, more can always be done. One cannot assume that others will assist. Just helping out for one

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weekend can make a huge change for a child’s life in SA. “If we are to break the cycle of poverty, we need to educate the children of the poor.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA 2018 Where to Volunteer Volunteering is a great way to help out children in South Africa. You get to see the smiles on children’s face immediately after helping out.

There are many different types of volunteering out there. These can range from creating art with children to teach kids how to use money and other economic skills.

Hero Holidays projects are designed with the purpose of building a better South Africa through the sustainable and meaningful development of our youth. Some of our projects include the building of essential infrastructure, teaching essential skills or early childhood development programmes.

The Benefits of Volunteering Volunteering always goes a long way for a child’s life. Quite often, we feel that sending money to an organisation can feel a bit empty, and you can’t always be certain where that money is going. Here some benefits of volunteering: • Volunteering can make you feel part of a community and meet new people • It can help you learn new skills and take on a challenge • Make you see a difference in children’s lives • Volunteering can help you gain confidence and try new things Quite often, people feel that they are helpless in making the children of SA have a safe and supportive life. However, through the options mentioned above, anyone in the world can now help support Early Childhood Development in South Africa.

Lorraine Keenan – Hero Holidays

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Two Oceans Aquarium Abundant and healthy oceans for life

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he oceans are beautiful, diverse, mysterious and unexplored. They cover 70% of the earth’s surface and hold 97% of our water. They feed us, regulate our climate, absorb much of the carbon dioxide we produce, and provide up to 70% of the oxygen we breathe. The well-being of humanity is inextricably linked to the health of our oceans.

Yet, this critical life support system is in crisis because of human activities. Ocean ecosystems are declining due to local stresses like habitat destruction, overfishing and pollution, and global phenomena like rapid and unprecedented changes in ocean temperature and acidity.

The Two Oceans Aquarium’s mission is to inspire action for the future well-being of the oceans. We have a unique role to play by empowering people to see the connections between their actions and the health of the oceans, and to provide practical actions to lighten our footprint, which include leading by example.

Through proudly local, world-class, immersive exhibits which celebrate Southern Africa’s magnificent marine biodiversity, the Aquarium facilitates discovery of the wonders of the ocean, helping to foster longlived connections between people and the environment.

However, our commitment to the ocean goes beyond the visitor experience.The Aquarium is a certified Diamond member of the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme, and in April 2019 we were named

the “Best Responsible Attraction” at the 2019 WTM African Responsible Tourism Awards.

Although the Aquarium is an energyintensive operation because our animal lifesupport systems run 24/7, 365 days of the year, we have 500 solar panels on our roof and we continually look for ways to reduce our emissions across the business. With recycling bins throughout the Aquarium, and our own on-site sorting facility, we are reducing the amount of waste we produce.

As members of professional organisations in the animal husbandry, scientific, attractions, education, and conservation sectors, and by subscribing to the rigorous standards of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria, we are confident that we uphold the very best living standards for the animals in our care.

CONTACT DETAILS Two Oceans Aquarium Dock Road, V&A Waterfront 021 418 3823 aquarium@aquarium.co.za

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Vive la Vie Portfolio Exclusive Accommodation in Franschhoek Vive la Vie Portfolio offers a variety of stunning guesthouses and self-catering accommodation all located in the heart of the historic wine valley of Franschhoek in an extremely characteristic, quiet and lively area within short walking distance to all sites and surrounded by magniďŹ cent mountains.

Explore our Portfolio at

www.vivelavie.co.za

CHAPTER 4

Rhian Berning

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CHAPTER 4

Regeneration and Resilience

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e lived a simple life in a converted farm worker’s cottage on a fynbos hill on the edge of a valley of a natural forest near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. We harvested all our rainwater and were solely dependent on it for the home and the vegetable garden, recycled our grey-water back into the garden, and were very conscious of our resource and waste footprint.

That all changed on 28 February 2017 when a smouldering bushfire was whipped into a firestorm by strong, hot winds and we were only just able to evacuate our children, animals and a few precious memories before our entire homestead, and all its infrastructure was consumed by the fire.

The irony was not lost on us as I am a climate change speaker and environmental activist managing the Eco Atlas platform which empowers better choices for people and planet, and my husband runs environmental and social theatre programmes at schools with his Lunchbox Theatre.

And so, after the necessary mourning for the history and family stories we had lost, and the gratitude for all the loved ones we saved, we looked at how we could rise from the ashes stronger, greener and better by building a homestead that is climate resilient, resource efficient, off-grid and regenerative.

Just like the natural fynbos plants which need to burn to germinate, this is our story of growing a new way of being.

Here is a window into some of the processes and realisations I developed on the journey of rebuilding our lives. I used to be very ‘house proud’ and always made my

home beautiful when we had visitors, pciked flowers from the garden and cleared the space of all the everyday clutter so that the beauty of our home, and the incredible vistas could shine through.

One of the hardest lessons from losing our home to fire was seeing all that beauty destroyed and the time, energy and love undone, reduced to a pile of rubble that was the biggest mess I could ever have imagined, and completely and utterly overwhelming to tidy up.

So the mountain of rubble sat for a long time and hibernated while I processed our post fire journey and gathered the strength to tackle it. It made me think of one of my favourite Swahili sayings – ‘pole pole’*, slowly, slowly you climb Kilimanjaro or else you get overwhelmed with altitude sickness, said even better by another Swahili idiom, the kind written on the colourful kanga cloths, each one with its own meaningful saying – ‘Harakaharakahainabaraka’, – Hurry, hurry is no blessing.

And so, through time taken slowly, emerged one of the greatest learnings of our trial by fire – the importance of separating what we see as useless rubble or waste, because as one mixed up pile it seemingly has no purpose and yet the re-use of a mountain of rubble is far greater when separated into its parts. I wonder how many burnt homes on the Garden Route were simply demolished and dumped, where were they dumped? What purpose are all these mountains of rubble serving now?

So we started, ‘pole pole’, slowly, slowly to separate the rubble into useful parts, all the broken crockery was put to one side and

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I’ll be making a mosaic splash-back in my kitchen with all my grandmothers’ and other memory filled porcelain. Glass was separated out, some incredible warped wine glasses and jars to be re-used creatively and the rest sent to recycling.

Everything made of metal was gathered together, and besides keeping a few pieces to make an interesting mobile for our new home, made of cutlery and cookie cutters, burnt jewellery and kitchen utensils, all the rest was sent to recycling. Bricks were cleaned up and have been used in the rebuilding of our home to create beautiful feature walls and the rest of the brick and mortar rubble was used to stabilise our driveway and road.

Burnt trees were stockpiled for firewood and some branches of the burnt Milkwood, for example, was used for feature balustrades and railings.

Burnt rainwater tanks were neatly cut and used as gravel reed beds for filtering greywater and as a natural filter for our plunge pool.

Anything with an organic base like pieces of sisal carpet or cane basketry was added to the compost heap for the vegetable garden.

Half burnt wire cabling was also taken to the recycling depot to be stripped and reused as was copper water piping.

The only pile, and it wasn’t a big one, that we took to be dumped was all the burnt plastic, buckled rainwater gutters and the melted bottoms of children’s gumboots, we could find no purpose for these and it’s a stark reminder of how we should reduce our use of plastic because it is one of the few things that becomes truly rubbish.

So I’ve learnt how really important it is to separate, separate, separate that which we think of as waste into its useful parts. And slowly, slowly you tackle the mountain. But this applies so well to our everyday lives, our homes and our kitchens. That which you

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think of as rubbish can be separated into its useful parts, kitchen scraps are a smelly nightmare when added to your rubbish bin, but if separated out for compost, abokashi bin or chicken food they become a rich and useful resource.

Small bits of plastic can be tamped in EcoBricks and used to build furniture and then of course paper, plastic, metal and glass can be re-used and ultimately recycled.

And if you want to go the whole way then join the zero waste movement and don’t have a rubbish bin at ALL and refuse any unnecessary single-use packaging before it even reaches your home.Just remember ‘pole pole’, slowly, slowly we’ll tackle this mountain we’ve created called rubbish.

Be kind to yourself on the journey to a circular and zero waste economy, we don’t need a handful of people achieving this perfectly, we need millions of people applying these principles imperfectly. And so it grows.

And so our homestead has been regenerated and rebuilt from the ashes and we have moved in. Here are some of the elements that make it a home that runs on circular systems and minimising negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Our home is run fully on solar power with a very efficient system that allows us to run everything we need from washing machine to fridge to water pumps. It really is wondrous to run everything off the power of the sun. We chose some interesting products to keep our home free of harmful and poisonous chemicals, from natural paints to innovative drywalling to natural treatments for our wood flooring. I loved that walking into our new home didn’t give me an immediate headache from all the fumes you usually smell.

Our water system is also fully off-grid, our home runs entirely off rainwater which we store in 40,000litres worth of tanks and we

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are recycling all our grey and black water for the growing of food through gravel reed beds and algae filtration systems (homemade and so easy and inexpensive).

We did a Permaculture design for our homestead and have started the layout with swales, a food forest and a vegetable garden with a Hugel bed, so that we can grow a portion of our own food which is poison free and plastic packaging free and has not had to travel kilometres in a truck to get to us.

We are replanting indigenous trees, taking into account the best local species, windbreaks, FIRE breaks, and shadow lines on our solar panels as well as blocking light pollution from neighbouring farms. However we are also leaving nature to regenerate on its own, by protecting natural areas from human interference, and the regrowth in the fynbos and forest edge has been absolutely incredible.

So we have settled down to some kind of a normal rhythm in our new home (something I never thought I would crave) we wake up most mornings in awe and wonder, that we are really here, all together with our own space and everything we need and a spectacular view and that it is really true that we are free and able to enjoy it.

Living in gratitude and learning constantly from nature about the power of regeneration and resilience. We have mountains to climb to turn around the ecological and climate crisis we have set in motion, but system change starts with us and the daily choices we make, we need to ask ourselves if the choices we make promote life and living systems and the circular economies of regeneration.

Let Eco Atlas help you find choices that are transparent about the good they do for people and planet, whether you are travelling or living here in beautiful South Africa. www. ecoatlas.co.za Rhian Berning

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ADVERTORIAL

Nelson Mandela Bay The most diverse wildlife experience you can have in Africa!

N

elson Mandela Bay an excellent value-for-money-family-fun-in-thesun-holiday destination, named after Nelson Mandela – humanitarian, freedom fighter and world icon of peace.

It is the 5th largest city in South Africa and thus it is a bit surprising that it has this wealth of wildlife experiences within a 40km radius of the city centre.

Nelson Mandela Bay is located in a naturelover’s paradise, offering an unbeatable blend of seaside and African bush encounters, all in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. Being dubbed the home of the BIG 7 in South Africa, the city features a diverse range of wildlife experiences at the end of the Garden Route

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making it a must visit as part of any South African travel itinerary.

The Bay is within half an hour’s drive of several internationally acclaimed game reserves, offering visitors a treasured experience of African wildlife.Several private game reserves with luxury and up-market venues guarantee true safari cuisine, warm and friendly service and unforgettable game viewing.

Algoa Bay, situated on the East Cape coast of South Africa, is famous for its natural beauty, biodiversity of marine habitats and rich marine life. The Bay incorporates two island groups and is home to the largest colonies of African Penguins. It is a protected refuge to calving whales, large pods of bottlenose dolphin and humpback dolphins.

The annual migration of millions of sardines is announced, and celebrated, by blue-eyed Cape Gannets, game fish, dolphins and sharks. Algoa Bay is also home to a wide variety of sharks, such as ragged tooth, pyjama and leopard catshark (endemic to South Africa) and is a nursing ground to ragged tooth, great white and smooth hammerhead sharks.

Apart from the diverse wildlife, other draw cards to the city include its rich historical and cultural attractions, blue flag beaches, and friendly people. Enough reasons for you to visit Nelson Mandela Bay on your next South African trip.

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ryte Hospitality insurance is a comprehensive package designed for specific risks faced by hospitality industry owners. Risks such as business interruption, damage or loss of customers’ assets and liability cover that is designed specifically for hospitality businesses.

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Our cover extends across every area of the hospitality niche and supports the industry through the provision of the following solutions: • BnB Sure for bed and breakfast and selfcatering establishments, guesthouses, holiday homes and backpackers. This covers both the personal and business portions of the establishment and provides access to our loyalty club – BnB Club.

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restaurants, including take away facilities, cafes, convention centres, golf clubs, wellness centres, spas and banquet halls, delis and caterers.

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Bryte is a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor.

CHAPTER 5

5

#BiodiversityRises: Restoring a Reserve How does a nature reserve that hosts more than 100 000 guests a year restore biodiversity after a fire - and let its guests help the process, too?

B

y 2017 – after more than 30 years of operation – Knysna’s Featherbed Nature Reserve had established itself as one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Garden Route coast of South Africa’s Western Cape Province. But it was forced to close its doors to visitors in June of that year after a fire tore through the region, claimed a number of lives, and burned through almost a thousand houses and almost 20 000 ha of land in and around the holiday town on the banks of the Knysna River Estuary.

At Featherbed itself, all the tourism infrastructure – and almost 95% of the vegetation – were reduced to ashes. But Knysna is a resilient community, and the rebuild – and the hashtag #KnysnaRises – began almost immediately.

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Rehabilitation Featherbed is situated on the Western Head at the mouth of the estuary, and lies within the last remaining portion of Knysna Sand Fynbos, a unique community of indigenous and endemic plants that occurs on only around 1 600 of this portion of the coast – and nowhere else on earth. (Fynbos – cape heathland, or cape macchia – is a loose, layperson’s term for the vegetation that occurs naturally only in South Africa’s Cape provinces. It includes an astonishingly wide variety of heaths, reeds, proteas, epiphytes, etc.) The attraction of the reserve isn’t hard to see.

Besides the property’s amazing biodiversity, and the dramatic views it offers of the rocky coast stretching away into the distance, the rich history of the estuary and the mouth (The Heads) make for fascinating storytelling:

5 Featherbed itself has evidence of Earlier Stone Age and Middle Stone Age occupation stretching back at least 300 000 years, and the more recent maritime history of Knysna is filled with lovable rogues and tragic shipwrecks.

Featherbed’s scheduled tours include ferry boat rides across the lagoon from Knysna and back again, a 4x4 ride to the top of the Western Head, and a guided, 2,2 km walk along the coast and down to the restaurant on the water’s edge.

It’s difficult to convey the unique sense of place, the aromas of the fynbos, the feeling of walking through the small portions of coastal thicket that grow on the reserve – but these things work a kind of magic, and almost everyone who visits it falls in love with this tiny, 84 ha property.

So it wasn’t surprising that management was inundated from the start with questions about how new and returning guests could help with the restoration of the fynbos when Featherbed reopened for business in December 2018.

Including the guests The fire presented the rehabilitation team (fourteen labourers and one horticulturist) with two initial challenges. The first – sandy soils that looked as though they would erode if the region experienced heavy rain – didn’t happen: except in disturbed places, washaways were rare on the reserve even before the vegetation had begun to regrow.

The second, though, had been a problem for a much longer time.

Beginning in the 1960s, the Knysna Sand Fynbos had become infested with an invasive Australian tree – Acacia cyclops (known locally as rooikrans) – that had been introduced to the Cape in the 1830s, and that outcompetes indigenous species for space, water, light, and nutrients. And although a programme of eradication had been instituted when Featherbed was declared a nature reserve in the 1980s,

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the task seemed at times almost unwinnable – both since rooikrans is costly to fell and doesn’t yield valuable wood, and because it produces viable seeds in enormous quantities.

(This latter problem has been mitigated over the last twenty years by the introduction of a gall midge that lays its eggs in the flowers, and so prevents new seeds from forming. This will hopefully mean a limited future for rooikrans in South Africa.)

Besides the indigenous vegetation, the fires destroyed almost all the mature rooikrans on the reserve – which certainly came as a blessing.

But, like most wattle seeds, rooikrans seeds are able to survive on and in the soil for decades – and within 6 months of the fires, they’d begun to germinate at Featherbed in alarming quantities.

Fortunately, though, the fynbos also produces seeds – which had also survived the fire, and also began germinating.

The first order of work for the rehab team, therefore, was to remove the rooikrans seedlings as quickly as possible – which they did.

Manually: they literally pulled them out by hand – and in their millions. (It is without doubt the most effective way of controlling the problem.)

Constraints The work of removing the rooikrans was hard, physical, and, at times, dangerous because of the steepness of the slopes – which meant that it wouldn’t be suitable for sharing with guests who had limited time on the reserve.

Too, the rehab team had to act with caution not to trample emerging indigenous material while they worked – and the reserve has always had a policy requiring guests to walk only on one, designated path (which protects the biodiversity, and helps ease erosion control). So how to accommodate all those requests from people who wanted to lend a hand?

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Assisted Natural Regeneration The idea for a solution came from environmental consultant PeetJoubert, who provided guidance on all aspects of the rehabilitation work: “Let ‘em plant seeds,” he said. ”With ketties.”

For this, the seeds needed to be embedded in balls made from a mixture of biochar, clay, and compost – a job that was undertaken by Knysna-based biochar consultants, NewCarbon (www.newcarbon.co.za).

The ingredients in the balls all have their own uses, of course: the (locally made, weedfree) compost provides nutrients to seedlings as they germinate; the clay (together with a light sprinkling of water) binds and holds the balls during and after manufacture; and the biochar helps with retention of nutrients in the soil, improved germination, and carbon sequestration – and also protects the seeds from predators. The balls were made in three classes containing either fynbos seeds, seeds

of species that grow in the reserve’s coastal thicket (forest), or hybridisedteff grass seeds.

(Although it’s not indigenous, the teff is sterile, so it can’t set seeds or become invasive – but it is useful for providing quick vegetative cover.)

Guests love it The seeds aren’t spread randomly across the entire reserve: rather, they’re spread in areas selected by the horticulturist where they’re likely to find the best chances of success. (This ‘applied nucleation’ is one of the principles of assisted natural regeneration: it calls for planting islands – or limited areas from – which dispersal agents like birds and animals will naturally spread any new seed to the wider, surrounding forest or fynbos.)

The seedballs are therefore packaged according to where they’ll be sown, with two indigenous balls and 8 teff balls in each pack.

Depending on which area is chosen for the day’s dispersal – forest or fynbos – the tours stop at designated spots, where the guides demonstrate one of the favourite games of South African children everywhere: kettieskiet (shooting a catapult).

“That’s where the fun really begins,” said The Featherbed Company’s marketing manager, Nicole Tunmer. “But it’s also remarkable to hear the feedback we get afterwards. Everyone who shoots their seedballs at Featherbed says the same thing: they feel they’ve helped the reserve return to its former glory in some small way.

“They feel they’ve become part of something that’s bigger than each one of us. They feel part of our community’s #KnysnaRises campaign.”

Martin Hatcheul Resources • • • •

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Featherbed Private Nature Reserve www.knysnafeatherbed.com NewCarbon (biochar) www.newcarbon.co.za Martin Hatchuel (article author, horticulturist) martinhatchuel@gmail.com PeetJoubert (environmental consultant) seahorseknysna@gmail.com

WELCOME TO UMLILO LODGE

DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF ST LUCIA Umlilo Lodge is a 4 star guesthouse situated in the small village of St Lucia, the only private village in the world to be completely surrounded by a World Heritage Site.

We offer 13 comfortable en-suite guest rooms in our tropical treehouselike lodge. Guests can choose to laze on the wooden deck by the pool, make use of our free WiFi or relax in our bar lounge with full DSTV. Umlilo Lodge has a large generator and two boreholes while our water is warmed from gas – ensuring that any South African crisis can be averted. If art is your passion, our curio shop is filled with beautiful art made by our very own South African artists.

Email us and quote Travel2020 to receive a 10% discount on your booking.

Other services We can assist in booking the following activities that St Lucia and The iSimangaliso Wetlands Park has to offer: • Big 5 Safaris to the oldest game reserve in South Africa, The Hluhluwe / Umfolozi Game Reserve • Full day safaris to The World Heritage Site, The iSimangaliso Wetlands Park • Whale Watching in season (June to November) • Sea Turtle Tours (November to February) • Horse rides on the beach or in the park • Two hour Cruises on Lake St Lucia • Guided Bird walking tours Contact us: 035 590 1717 info@umlilolodge.co.za www.umlilolodge.co.za

The Dead Valley Lodge - a Desert Dream

The Dead Valley Lodge - the newest venture of Sun Karros Lifestyle Safaris, is proud to be a sustainable and eco-friendly development in the heart of the oldest desert in the world - the Namib Desert.

The back-end of the main lodge area, including the kitchens and storerooms is constructed using container architecture. The containers have been clad in various materials such as wood, natural tile and metal, to give them a different look and to help the building blend into the pristine desert background. The front-end area of the main lodge is open-plan, and the whole lodge area is slightly raised off the ground on stilts and pillars. Essentially, the whole lodge is collapsible and moveable, and therefore leaves a very small environmental footprint. In theory, if the lodge were to be packed-up and moved, the area could be

rehabilitated and left as it was before the lodge was built. Each individual tented chalet is also raised off the ground and stands on composite decking flooring. The composite decking is made from recycled plastics, and has been made to look like wooden planks. All of the pathways that connect the chalets and the main lodge are natural pathways with no concrete or paving having been laid in order to preserve the natural desert ground.

The Dead Valley Lodge is also 95% solar-powered. The extensive solar panels generate energy that is stored in a battery system, which powers the lodge throughout the day and night. There is a back-up generator, but it is seldomly used - as the energy from the sun is certainly not limited in the Namib Desert! Moreover, the showers in each of the tented chalets’ bathrooms are equipped with a grey-water system, whereby the shower water is collected and treated to remove soaps, and this water is then pumped into the toilets’ tanks to flush the toilets. This way, the lodge saves water, which is a precious resource in the desert.

Ultimately, The Dead Valley Lodge aims to be a desert haven, embracing the raw beauty and natural environment of the area, keeping its impact on the ecosystem minimal and non-destructive - a true space to relax and escape.

T: +264 83 323 2393 • E: reservations@sunkarros.com • W: www.sunkarros.com

CHAPTER 6

6

Does climate change affect farmers?

T

he obvious answer is ‘yes, without a doubt’. How does this affect those of us who live in cities? Farming revolves around controlled food production. Food security has increased the quality of life of citizens around the world, but it has come at a cost which is unsustainable in the long term. Why? The estimate for global population growth is approximately 9 billion people by 2050. Food production will have to increase by 60% to ensure there is enough food to accommodate the increase in population growth.

So what is sustainable agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is based on principles of not raping the land of its resources, but giving back. Industrial farming methods do not necessarily follow this principle. The challenges

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that industrial farming needs to recognise are that unhealthy farming practices (no crop rotation, use of too many chemicals/fertilisers, inefficient use of water for irrigation purposes, etc.) all have a major impact on climate change, ecosystem destruction, water scarcity and soil degradation. Modern farming techniques and technologies are used by farmers to meet the growing need for food, but at a cost.

Farmers need stable climatic conditions, for example, regular rainfall, seasonal temperature variation (not extremes) etc. South African farmers have experienced the devastating impact of climate change already. The increased severity of droughts will lead to increased desertification and a significant problem for livestock farmers. The rise in temperatures leads to a reduction in fertility and an increase in the animals’ vulnerability to disease.

6

So without a doubt climate change does impact food security by reducing the availability of food.

What can we do as consumers to create a more sustainable future for our children? The obvious answer is to reduce the amount of food wastage, approximately one-third (33%) of all food is wasted. Currently agricultural production provides enough food to feed over 10 billion people, so the rate of agricultural production has increased faster than the increase in population growth. Why then are over a billion people starving? We do not need to produce more food; we need to address the inequality of access to food.

The agricultural production system can become environmentally sustainable if food is not wasted. Are farmers to blame or consumers? Both, as consumers want to buy ‘perfect’ looking food, so the farmers are meeting the demand, however, farmers also are responsible for wasting food at the production level.

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The work that goes into producing ‘perfect’ produce is not understood by consumers.

Consumers have to take responsibility for educating themselves to appreciate the value.

Whether it is ‘farm to fork’ initiatives or accommodation facilities on farms, bridges need to be built if we (all humans) are to proactively address climate change.

Fortunately, we have a number of forwardthinking farmers, like JB van den Berg, who have embraced precision, organic and no-till farming methods.

Agritourism is an initiative to help farmers and consumers to interact – consumers need to understand that food is only available because of the farmer. Farming is hard work and high risk. The link between Agritourism and the sustainability of the Rural Economy derives from the definition of this activity.

Agritourism can only take place on a working farm, in other words, the main activity is farming and tourism is a by-product.

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Agritourism encourages responsible environmental practices on farms, from waste to water to energy management. It is in the interest of farmers to keep their input costs as low as possible. Farmers understand sustainability. They understand climate change. With both, they are at the forefront of confronting change because they are directly affected by it.

People do not like change, but there is no alternative. A change in attitude towards the consumption of food must happen.

Extreme nature and weather events have been occurring because the average temperature around the world has gone up by 1% and in the Southern Hemisphere, several countries e.g. Australia, the increase is 2%.

Sean de Cleene from New Zealand is CEO of the Food Systems Initiative and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum: “I think if you’re a smallholder farmer in Southern Africa, or if you’re a farmer of any kind in Southern Africa, it wasn’t that many years ago where you could quite easily predict when the rains were coming and when the seasons were. The ability to do that has gone and so we have to be able to look at how we can mitigate against both of these and at the same time we have to also look at how we can adapt because the reality is here.”

Southern Africa is agricultural and action is clearly needed. The Wall Street Journal published an article titled “Is Southern Africa sleepwalking into a climate catastrophe?” recently that was republished in the Daily Maverick.

Mr de Cleene suggested that positive action by Governments could include providing subsidies for regenerative farming practices, for example, farmers could trade on the carbon market and make additional income out of improving the quality of the soil. “Even farming areas can actually become a viable economic commodity in their own right while we need to deal with the issues around reducing carbon” Mr de Cleene said as a suggestion on how

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farmers can view climate change in a positive manner in order to find a solution.

So what difference can I make as an individual? If you add the committed individuals to create a group they become lobby agents to force change.

The age of easily accessible resources has gone forever. The damage has been done.

Farmers are at the forefront of climate change and have seen their input costs, for example, electricity and water, increase significantly.

Farming has become a risky business.

As consumers, we can make a difference by becoming more environmentally conscious while ensuring social inequalities are overcome. Sustainability means that all humans need to ensure that our processes, systems etc. endure but do not deplete the planet.

The responsibility lies with the individual, not governments, not the ‘green’ movement, or any associations.

Take responsibility now for your own actions – sustainability is that simple.

Jacqui Taylor

Jacqui Taylor

MADE/WWF0401

We care for our natural resources. Not just for nature’s sake, we do it for you.

By protecting our water sources, we keep our businesses open, provide food for our families and make sure we have enough clean water to drink. Visit wwf.org.za to see how every action, big or small, makes a difference.

CHAPTER 7

7

Bees for Africa M emme (Mems) Ramaila is a dynamic lady with passion for development work. With her personal savings earned through years of working as a management consultant,she approached the traditional authority at her home village, Mabeskraal in Rustenburg (about 50km from Sun City) with a request for a piece of communal land to be allocated to her in order to create jobs in the local community through farming.

Thrilled by such a request and the possibility of community development, the Mabeskraal Traditional Authority allocated Mems a 2 hectare piece of land along the main road between Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve.

Within two months of being granted permission to use the land, she contracted local builders to put up a fence around the

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land and contracted a water engineer to sink a borehole as a source of water supply for her farming enterprise.

This was the beginning of Gosiame Agricultural Projects, whose main product offering was egg production; vegetable production and pig farming. Mems invested in a small solar energy system which worked like a charm especially for her egg laying business.

Eighteen months into her entry in the agriculture industry Mems scooped the title Female Farmer of the Year award for her sterling work in creating an agricultural hub in her rural community. At the time Mems had created 3 permanent jobs from the local community and offered 6 other women a patch of land on her farm to grow organic vegetables, meaning these six women were self-employed and she allowed them to use the communal land which she had developed into a secure farming asset.

The operations and relations with one another on the farm were rooted in the Ubuntu (I am because you are) value system and as such all nine individuals worked towards a common goal of improving their livelihoods and those of their families. We also placed a lot emphasis on nutrition security and had monthly sessions sharing our own knowledge of the nutritional value of the food we were producing and shared this information with our customers.

Using an aggregation model we supplied our fresh produce to Bakubung and Kwa Maritane Game Lodges and later to mining houses in and around Rustenburg (including the unpopular Lonmin in Marikana). In 2013 the Small Enterprise Development Agency profiled her success story in the egg laying sector of the poultry industry, and in the same year the Department of Rural Development & Land

7 Reform recognised Mems sterling work in horticulture by allocating her a farm in Mamogaleskraal, Brits, where she grows lucerne (animal feed) and vegetables.

It was due to uninvited guests (bees) that visited her lucerne fields in 2018 that Mems (after reading up on the critical role of bees to both humankind and the environment), was inspired to diversify her farming activities by keeping bees.

On May 25 2019 Mems pre-launched her BeeAfrican initiative, again acknowledging how the women empowerment agenda could be advanced through beekeeping whilst protecting the environment and conserving bees – whose population is declining due to the use of chemical pesticides by commercial farmers.

It is for this reason that Mems has embarked on advocacy work: creating awareness about the bee ecosystem and overall biodiversity. To maximize her efforts, reaching out to a wider segment of the society, Mems struck a business relationship with the University of South Africa (Unisa) has through her company (BeeAfrican Gold). This partnership leverages on Unisa’s capacity to offer cutting edge training pro-

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grammes and its research and development capacity, to innovate ground breaking natural medicinal products from bee products and by-products. Through our Mnandi Development Programme which comprises a Short Learning Programme (Fundamentals of Beekeeping) and a 12-month beekeeping incubator, we aim to train and incubate 1 000 women and youth by 2023.

This Learning Programme (offered under the tag line Bees4Life! Bees4theEnvironment!

Bees4Wellness! Bees4Profit! is a two day training programme structured into two parts, theory and experiential training on the management of beehives (at our beekeeping site), for optimal production of honey.

We have recently set up our second apiary at Idle Winds Country Lodge, which is situated in the lush veld of the scenic Aloe Valley Meander (just a few kilometers from Fourways-Sandton) with the sole aim of offering tourists a unique opportunity to experience not only the wonders of bees in real time but a variety of salivating bee product dishes.

Our business model makes provision for collaboration with various stakeholders (private

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7

Memme Ramaila

sector and investors) to see to the creation of sustainable bee enterprises needed to bolster the tourism economy and thus create jobs.

Relevance of the Bee African initiative to other developmental agendas This section of the article showcases how the Bee African initiative aligns with other developmental agendas.

Sustainable Development Goal #8-Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Fundamental to the Bee African initiative is the activation of rural economies which will unlock sustainable employment opportunities for rural women and youth.

Ownership of the bee value chain will culminate in small factories due to upstream and downstream activities along bee verticals, including sustainable api-tourism.

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Necessarily, api-tourism will impact the tourism industry through our unique offering of bee products; such as manufacturing of natural soaps and cosmetics made of bee products and candles made from beeswax ideal as nifty gifts for tourists.

Sustainable Development Goal #15-Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Awareness creation on biodiversity is one of our objectives since pollinators (including honey bees) are vitally important in the conservation of floral reserves and have a huge impact on sustainable food security.

High school learners will be encouraged to pursue entomology (study of insects) and botany as career options-through our relationship with Unisa whilst we also aim to trigger interest in locals fulfilling the role of BeeWarriors and thus sharing their stories with tourists on the importance of these little creatures, and how they will protect the environment with cultivation of plants that sequestrate carbon emission and thus mitigating climate change effects, eg spekboom and acacia trees.

Agenda 2063 of the AU-Goal #4 (transformed economies) of Aspiration # 7-A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development Our aim is to integrate 10,000 women in rural South Africa in honey value chains (from upstream to down-stream industries) by December 2023 and thus drive financial inclusion and women empowerment. The honey production program is a comprehensive agri-tourism development programme which starts with awareness creation followed by skills development, incubation and business support. In addition to honey production, participating women will receive training on financial, nutrition and digital literacy. The agri-tourism development program will cover 6 months

STELLENBOSCH MUSEUM Take a trip back to the good old days

Village Museum

Historic architectural development The Village Museum complex is unique in the sense that all the buildings on exhibition is exactly where it was originally built. The entrance to the complex is called Lubbe Building and this is where the first shoe factory of the Lubbe family started. Other than the ticket sales office you will find an exhibition of the pre-colonial history, information on the founder of Stellenbosch as well as an interactive timeline of the people of Stellenbosch from 1679 to the year 2000.

It also consists of four period houses of historical interest and their gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represent a different period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been wonderfully restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the style and taste of the time. The four dwellings Schreuderhuis, Blettermanhuis, Grosvenor House and OM Berghhuis are on the exact place it was built decades ago.

Toy Museum

A world of enchantment This museum is housed in the old Rhenish Missionary Parsonage. On display is a splendid collection of antique dolls, dolls’ house furniture and other old toys. Amongst the most popular displays are the miniature rooms with finely detailed furniture and fittings all built in 1:12 scale.

An extremely detailed and lifelike miniature of South Africa’s famous Blue Train – the only one of its kind in Africa, is on show. The splendid exhibition of Dinky Toys and lifelike miniature of the Blue Train will fascinate both young and old. On display is roomboxes with miniatures of the period houses at the Village museum complex as well as the famous Oom Samie se Winkel which is situated in Dorp Street in Stellenbosch.

For more information, contact Stellenbosch Museum on Tel: 021 887 2937 / 882 8861 or visit www.stelmus.co.za

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thereafter women participants will be integrated into a micro-franchising model to allow for sustainability.

Bee African initiative will transform rural economies: an apiary site with 20 beehives will yield five full time employment for women in an average household of five members. Our target communities are those along tourist routes as we seek to promote hand made products to tourist (domestic and international) Progress/Strides made to date We have lobbied and engaged various stakeholders who have committed their support in ensuring that the Bee African initiative will realize its strategic objective of catalyzing the unlocking of rural economies through sustainable tourism.

Some of our achievements include the following: • We have had a PUM mission from The Netherlands conducting a two week capacity building session on beekeeping at our anchor farm. The mission was led by a Beekeeping Expert and International Honey Judge Mr Arie Krieke, from whom we gained invaluable information about beekeeping and the apiculture sector, and thus creating the much needed capacity required for training other developing beekeepers, as such the Bee African Project Lead possesses in depth knowledge of beekeeping which has placed her ahead of her contemporaries in this regard.

• Setting up an apiary at Idle Winds Country Lodge with the sole aim of creating an apitourism establishment, which will boost sustainable tourism through showcasing of beekeeping products and creating the much needed awareness about the critical role of bees to mankind and the environment. Our plan includes hosting symposia on bees as part of the bee ecosystem awareness drive, and hosting markets where artisanal products such honey vine-

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•

•

•

•

gar and mustard honey prepared by local food artisans and offered to tourists for tasting and selling. This particular form of tourism offers unique experiences to tourists.

Our honey brand-Mnandi Honey (mnandi is Zulu for sweet) is an ethical brand for women in beekeeping which facilitate access to markets. Our natural and raw honey is packed in 500g and 380g honey jars and in line with regulations on the grading, packing and marking of honey intended for sale in SA as provided for in theAgricultural Product Standards Act of 1990.

Our stall at Meetings Africa 2020 attracted a number of consumers who invested in our hand-made art and crafts products including natural soaps and our Mnandi Chunk Honey.

Mems has been nominated to serve on the Local Organising Committee for World Bee Day celebrations to be hosted by North West Agriculture on 20 May. This event is informed by United Nations declaration of 20 May as World Bee Day Our first corporate client for our Mnandi Honey is Harties Aerial Cable Way-a tourist attraction establishment in Hartbeespoort Dam.

In short our product and service offering is for the nature lovers, nutrition conscious, curious minds; African bee warriors passionate about the bee ecosystem!!!

Come join us at Idle Winds Country Lodge & Conference, where the Mnandi crew will share some fascinating nuggets of information with you about these little amazing creatures that play a critical role to humankind and the environment!

For more information on Idle Winds Country Lodge, please visit www.idlewinds.co.za and feel free to contact our general manager at Cornelius@idlewinds.co.za Memme Ramaila

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is situated under 2.5 hours from Cape Town, in the vastness of the majestic Tankwa Karoo. With thick wooded Acacia river beds and magnificent golden mountains on the horizon, Inverdoorn provides the ultimate tranquil Big 5 safari experience.

RESERVATIONS: 021 422 0013 | INFO@INVERDOORN.COM WWW.INVERDOORN.COM | BIG 5 SAFARI 2.5 HOURS FROM CAPE TOWN

INVERDOORN

ADVERTORIAL

Moholoholo – the experience of a lifetime The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Moholoholo contributes to the conservation of endangered species and the rehabilitation of injured and poisoned wildlife. Moholoholo also facilitates a number of successful breeding programmes.

Situated in the shadow of the majestic “Maripeskop”, our unique rehabilitation centre is home to many animals and birds.

The centre has a successful Serval Breeding Project. Having bred and releases over 160 back into the areas where they have previously become extinct.

Wherever possible rehabilitated birds and animals are returned to the wild and those who are not so fortunate due to the nature and extent of their problems are used for educational talks to the, many people who visit each year.

Our tours are on an awareness basis and are to awaken us to the critical situation our wildlife is in.

We invite you to come and share a unique experience with the animals of Africa . . .

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For more info and bookings: Forest & Rehabilitation Centre: Rehab – Tel: +27 015 7055236 | E-mail: moholorehab@wol.co.za Forest Camp – Tel: +27 012 – 361 7218 E-mail: forestcampbookings@moholoholo.co.za Mountain View – Tel: +27 012 943 0474 Ya Mati – Tel: 072 191 2024 / +27 012 361 7218 Fax: +27 012 348 4926 | E-mail: moholo@worldonline.co.za

WWW.MOHOLOHOLO.CO.ZA

For more info and bookings: Forest & Rehabilitation Centre: Rehab – Tel: +27 015 7055236 | E-mail: moholorehab@wol.co.za Forest Camp – Tel: +27 012 – 361 7218 | E-mail: forestcampbookings@moholoholo.co.za Mountain View – Tel: +27 012 943 0474 Ya Mati – Tel: 072 191 2024 / +27 012 361 7218 | Fax: +27 012 348 4926 E-mail: moholo@worldonline.co.za

WWW.MOHOLOHOLO.CO.ZA

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It’s up to local communities to make tourism work

I

set off on a road trip a few years ago and revisited a number of towns and villages in the Western Cape. I was a little disappointed. I discovered that some of these destinations were not tourist towns at all — getaways or heritage villages, yes, but not tourist destinations in the true sense. That should be reserved for towns like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek which work hard at catering for tourists. Before tourism can become the gamechanger it needs to be, I argued, destinations need to be categorised – tourism is not a “one size fits all”.

I had found that weekend visitors to Montagu generally leave after breakfast on a Sunday morning, and head to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch for lunch before heading home.

So I was delighted when Enver Duminy, Cape Town Tourism’s CEO, told me that they were piloting a programme that evaluates which destinations are tourism ready and those which need further work. I met with Leigh Dawber (Marketing Executive) and Carel Stadler (Trade & Partner Manager) to learn more. It was one of the most enjoyable meetings I’ve had for a long time. They are both consummate professionals with the passion to do great things.

Carel Stadler and Leigh Dawber of Cape Town Tourism

They started on the Khayelitsha Curated Routes about two years ago. Khayelitsha is the largest township in Cape Town, just 30km southeast of the city centre. It’s a vibrant township known for its entrepreneurial spirit and social development projects. The people are friendly and inviting, the area is rich in culture and diversity, and is a truly South African experience that will stay with you forever. “It was a passion project,” says Carel Stadler. “The area had the potential, the creativity and

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the entrepreneurship with products covering street art, award-winning shack theatre, community gardens, cycling, cuisine and much more, that offer an immersive experience.�

The project developed a model which can be used for other destinations – supporting transformation through education and developing tourism offerings in neighbourhoods.

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The outcome was the printed Curated Routes Map for Khayalitsha

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To determine which neighbourhoods are ready for tourism and neighbourhood routes development, CTT developed a Readiness Funnel based on thorough research.

The method consists of two parts, firstly a Desktop Audit of the neighbourhood that includes available tourism product, area development, cost of entry, safety and security, and accessibility.

CTT then does a Community Survey to understand the commitment to, and the role of the community in tourism development.

Over 220 locals were interviewed to gain their insights and opinions on their neighbourhoods and tourism potential.

None of the other neighbourhoods were found to be ready for routes development and it becomes the Ward Councillor’s job to work with the community to rectify that. One wonders how many ward councillors are up to that task!

Have the Khayelitsha Curated Routes been successful? Probably the best measure is the fact that only one business has dropped out. The curators have grown through the experience – and media exposure and travel – and have become established as tourism role models. And that’s a very big first step.

About the author: Carl Momberg is the editor and publisher of capeinfo.com.

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ADVERTORIAL

ATKV Drakensville Sustainability is a key focus

W

ith the drought that has gripped South Africa for the past few years, the ATKV resorts were compelled to save water. ATKV Drakensville took it one step further – now ALL the water at the resort is being recycled for further use ...

There is an Afrikaans song about the green countryside of Natal. But the drought spared nothing and nobody. At the end of 2019 the Drakensville area looked like the Maize Triangle in the Free State – dull and yellow.

And a resort without water is catastrophic.

The annual rainfall at the resort for 2011 was 1 069 mm, while only 609 mm was measured in 2019. That is almost 50% less and an indication of the drought that currently prevails in the area.

Since 2014 Drakensville has had two boreholes at the resort, strong enough to provide all the water needed, even in the holiday season. Eskom also provides the resort with purified water from its purification plant about 2 km from the resort.

The two boreholes became insufficient to the resort’s needs. Eskom, with its associated crises, battled to deliver, and the resort really was on the edge of a water crisis.

While sinking the boreholes, management realised that a purification plant needs to be established to provide guests with useable water without smell or taste.

Drakensville could not be forever dependent on Eskom for sufficient water supply and knew that they had greywater

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that, apart from being used for irrigation, just ran into the creek nearby.

From that realisation the idea was born to further purify the greywater so that it could be used for human consumption. Since then another plant has been established, and after many adjustments the resort is now in the process of purifying its grey water to recirculate it for human consumption.

To enhance the quality of the greywater, reservoirs have been built at the stormwater runoffs at the resort. The idea is to catch all stormwater and reroute it to the greywater dam.

WATER CONSERVATION AT ATKV DRAKENSVILLE Now that is how you save water!

With the drought that has gripped South Africa for the past few years, the ATKV resorts were compelled to save water.

ATKV Drakensville took it one step further – now ALL the water at the resort is being recycled for further use ...

The sewage purification plant, which can purify between 3,000 and 4,000 litres of water per hour.

The sewage is pumped into the larger dam as the first step in the purification process. It then goes to the smaller dam, before the final product goes to the green tanks to be added to the drinking water.

This is die sewage storage dam where all water goes to before being pumped to the upper systems for purification.

T: 036 438 6287 E: drakensville@atkv.org.za

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CHAPTER 9

Why First Nation KHOE tourism matters in South Africa?

T

ourism is sharing the inspirational stories of a land in a way that respects its First inhabitants, the land, and cocreating an unforgettable experience for the visitor.

Sadly, since democracy, South Africa’s First Nationstories have not really been shared to local and international visitors to South Africa despite an abundance of such cultural assets and such cultural and linguistic tourism being valued at billions of Rands.

We are living in a time where there is a global need to disconnect from a technologically consuming societyand to connect to the land, to the ancient stories of the land, to be part of something that surpasses our understanding as humans. And that is what First Nation KHOE tourism can indeed offer to the world. Yet very little awareness and investment has been made into this potential diamond mine, the many untapped stories, the many unknown cultural resources that exist within our KHOE communities.

The KHOE communities sufferedw greatly at the hands of Settlers but today they are reclaiming our languages, our identity, the memories of our abogan or ancestors and the guidance they can give not only to us but to the country as a whole.

Forty percent of South Africa is called the Karoo and yet few in South Africa even know that KAROO in KHOEKHOE means dry. We have a place called KNYSNA, the word KNY or NAI in KHOEKHOE means speechless and the na

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makes it a plural and indeed this place with its natural splendour leaves you speechless.

Then you have the Addo National Park in the Eastern Cape, the province of my xgusi’.

It was so astonishing to be taken on a guided tour of the Addo national park and to ask our guide if he knew that Addo is also from the KHOEKHOE language, one of the First languages of the Eastern Cape. He looked at me all flabbergasted saying that he has never heard of that. A is let and doe or do is move so its name speaks to moving.

Graaff-Reinet is in the Kamdeboo municipality and we might never exactly know what the word Kamdeboomeant for our ancestors but Kam and boo are both KHOEKHOE words, Kam means consuming some liquid and boo could mean something being filled with holes.

Last year was the first time I was able to see the buruga or wonderful ‘Valley of Desolation’, a place where the gagasi or spirits of my abogan or ancestors could be felt. A place I believe has no equal in South Africa.

We can’t forget Cape Town – how many South Africans and visitors to this land even know that Cape Town is called Xhui-Qgaeb or the place where the clouds gather – and on most days you can witness the clouds dancing on the mountain almost protecting her from harm. And Table Mountain, which is called HuriVoaga(with the v being a click sound) means “where the sea rises.”

I often tell people that it is exactly what happens when you stand on HuriVoaga and look down and it immediately feels as if the sea is about to consume you, but you are also humbled by the kaisib or greatness of the surrounding nature.

And when you know the names of these places in one of South Africa’s First languages, something happens to you spiritually; you connect to this land but also in a strange way understand your place in all of this. Isn’t that what tourists seek when they consider traveling to a different country, those origin stories,

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those stories that are seldom read about in mainstream publications?

I visited Victoria in Canada a while back and was surprised at how Indigenous First nation stories were part of how the city was promoted to visitors – not just the good-to-know stories but also the violence that happened with the arrival of settlers – a truth few countries are willing to share. But in a modern age, this is exactly what an educated, technologicallyminded, world traveller seeks from their experiences, and what will have them spend more per trip and also return to this place.

South Africa is blessed with an abundance of First Nation KHOE sites, with some of the Oldest Rock art in the world, First Nation experiences that can be curated in partnership with local First Nation Khoe communities especially in rural Khoe communities, where unemployment rates surpasses that of urban communities, injecting much-needed money into those local economies. A window of opportunity exists for a country such as South Africa, which urgently needs to find ways of constructively using our abundance of labour.

We can learn so much from Indigenous or First Nation tourism agencies such as those in Canada.

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Nosy Be Pemba

Ndola Lusaka Victoria Falls Kasane St Helena

Walvis Bay

Windhoek

Maun

Livingstone

Harare

Tete

Bulawayo

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Antananarivo

Beira

Phalaborwa

Polokwane

Skukuza Nelspruit

JNB Sishen Kimberley Upington Bloemfontein

Nampula

Vilanculos Hoedspruit

Sikhupe Maseru

Richards Bay Pietermaritzburg Durban

Mthatha East London

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Enjoy the Airlink hospitality as we soar to new heights in the years to come.

A Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve adventure truly means stepping into another world and discovering a whole new perspective.

Journey to Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve.

Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, located in the heart of the Cederberg region, South Africa, provides an escape to a true African wilderness area, unlike any other. With accommodation options moulded against the incredible sandstone rock formations and contrasting landscapes of mountain, rocky outcrops and fynbos plains, this protected Nature Reserve offers a remote, back-to-nature retreat that provides for peace, tranquillity and relaxation. Here, guests can ‘unplug’ from a hyper-connected digital world and their bustling city lives, to experience the restorative benefits of a getaway close to nature, and a place undisturbed by modern technology.

Kagga Kamma’s ‘Green’ initiatives speak to preserving, firstly, the unspoiled wilderness area and the indigenous fauna and flora encompassed by the Reserve. The other preservation priority is the rich and fascinating cultural heritage, which is the legacy of the Khoi and San tribes that once called Kagga Kamma home, including the magnificent ancient Khoisan Rock Art sites.

The Lodge prides itself on innovation in the realm of sustainable tourism and, in 2013, installed a Solar Photovoltaic Hybrid energy system, which has been providing around-the-clock environmentally-friendly power to Kagga Kamma ever since. This means a significant reduction of harmful emissions and a noteworthy lightening of the Lodge’s carbon footprint.

Kagga Kamma is passionately invested in the local community, within which it is founded. The majority of the Lodge staff-complement are local residents and they and their families make up what is a very close-knit Kagga Kamma community. Kagga Kamma also provides a crèche and day-care facility for staff children. Kagga Kamma further supports the local community by initiating craft projects, and sources handcrafted items that are made within the community, which are merchandised and presented for sale in the Kagga Kamma Curio Shop.

Kagga Kamma’s guest experience focuses on a combination of encounters that focus on the unique, natural environment and cultural history embedded in the heart of the Kagga Kamma story. Educational Rock Art Tours delve into the past, Guided Nature Drives address the fascinating geological environment and the fauna and flora; and Stargazing Tours fill the evening air with sounds of wonder at a sky ablaze with stars that appear so close, you can almost reach out and touch them. www.kaggakamma.co.za/reservations@kaggakamma.co.za +27 (0) 21 872 4343

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It isn’t that difficult

T

he meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition (MICE) industry is a great economic driver and has the ability to boost local economy’s but it also can create havoc if sustainable event practices are not considered in the very beginning of the planning phase. The mistake many of us make is not thinking about the greening aspect of a conference before it is too late and then it is very clearly an afterthought and yet so much of what we can do is easy to achieve.

Waste reduction is a big part of event greening, but it goes far beyond that. Consider the carbon emissions to get all the delegates to the one location either by road or air. Hybrid conferences are becoming more and more popular. A hybrid conference is a combination of “live” in person and ‘virtual’ online conferencing. An organisation that does this really well is the Professional Convention Management Association or PCMA. Every year they host the Convening Leaders conference in the United States with thousands of delegates but have hundreds of participants from around the world joining in online. Now not every session

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is streamed, but enough to make sure that members throughout the globe feel included even though they are not physically there.

There are of course the standard things that every organiser should consider… reduce, reuse and recycle are the obvious ones. However, we also need to consider where our other stuff comes from and where is it going to when the event is over.

Let’s take our catering for instance. The business events industry is a large consumer of food items and also of food waste. The SASSI or Southern African Seafood Sustainable Initiative is probably the most known movement in the country, but I would hazard a guess that many of us are not all that clued up on what it entails and which species are on the green, orange or red list. We don’t know that sustainable seafood is not only about the actual catching of fish but also about how it is traded, essentially the ‘hook to fork’ process. The website www. wwfsassi.co.za has a large amount of information on the project and they also have tools like an SMS number and an App which allows consumers to get instant information on the species they are considering buying.

10

Lorin Bowen What about other produce? There is a shift in consumer buying habits to buy local, buy organic. Why as organisers are, we not working towards the same for our events. As organisers we need to check our menus carefully and ask questions about the source of the produce the kitchens will be using in our tea breaks, conference lunches and gala dinners. Chefs and retailers need to take responsibility to find out for themselves where their produce is coming from and to demand locally sourced and hopefully organic products from their suppliers. The more demand, the easier it will become.

What do we do with the food waste? Bokashi composting is the ideal solution. Absolutely everything can go into the same bucket, sprinkled with a handful of the inoculated brain and watch the magic happen. The juice from this can be diluted and used as organic fertilizer in your garden or poured down your drains to clear any organic blockages. The food waste can then be placed in a compost heap or straight into the garden.

As an organiser I have my own recycle bins that I take to the events I arrange. I have to wonder why though? Shouldn’t conference and exhibition venues, hotels and event venues have these as a standard?

The thing is that most organisers whether a professional conference and event organiser, an inhouse organiser, a secretary or even the marketing team don’t think of recycling their

CHAPTER 10

event waste, and so it doesn’t happen. Of course, there is little point to going through the process of separating the waste within your event space and then the venue dumps it all into one skip anyway.

Responsibility and briefing here are key. The venue needs to take responsibility for all the waste generated from events hosted at their premises and the organiser needs to ensure that the proper training has taken place from the client right through to the person responsible at the rubbish area of the venue. Everyone needs to be clear on what is required and why it needs to be done.

What about our marketing collateral and other printed materials? I am a big fan of paper – don’t get me wrong, and yes, I probably print more than I really need to. I am that person who goes to the theatre and buys the printed programme so that while waiting for the show or during interval I can read up on the cast, crew and other interesting bits of information.

I might keep that programme for a few months but eventually it is tossed into the paper recycling bin. Abstract books and other such documents have an important role to play at conferences and for me the App just doesn’t work here, I know others disagree. However, we need to be realistic on the number of these things we print.

Too often I have been at a break down of a conference and see mountains of brochures and other printed materials left behind by the exhibitors, delegates and organisers. Firstly, this is just down-right wasteful expenditure and secondly, bad planning. Not so long ago I was lucky enough to travel with a client to St Petersburg in Russia. The client insisted on taking an information pack for every single person who was registered to attend the exhibition. In the region of 12 000 copies were lugged half-way across the world for only about 1 000 of them to be handed out. The rest were abandoned on location. Not only was this a costly exercise in excess baggage

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and printing costs, but a waste of paper as well.

What about those exhibitions we all attend as either an exhibitor or a visitor? Exhibitions are a huge source of waste in our industry but so much can be done to alleviate most of it. As an exhibitor there are options for you to ensure your stand is sustainable.

Today you can have printed fabric walling which you can reuse time and time again for your stand. If you decide to spend a little extra money and have a custom built stand, make sure that you have it designed and built in such a way that it too can be built, broken down, stored, touched up and rebuilt for another show. If you’re going to have brochures on your stand, remember to take the leftovers back to the office.

Let’s talk about décor. How many bunches of flowers are just thrown out after a gala dinner or wedding? Pot plants such as orchids or

succulents are so on trend at the moment and the most exciting bit is that they can be given away as gifts to guests at the function. If you want to use flowers, then be sure to take them to the local retirement village or hospital after the function for others to enjoy. Of course with todays technology the use of LED screens and lighting can create the atmosphere and theme of your event by using pictures, photos and videos and the best part is that if you change your mind about the theme at the 99th hour you can easily update the imagery. A great idea, well at least I think so, is to use patterned

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or fancy napkins instead of the standard black or white that you traditionally get at a venue.

In this way you can add interest to the table décor without having to go big and bold with the centre piece. Of course, paper serviettes are a no-no for sustainability and who would actually want to use them when there are such beautiful fabric alternatives available.

What about the surrounding community?

Think about how you can get them involved in your event. Is there someone who can sew your delegate bags, crew uniforms, make the gifts, provide the transport or entertainment.

We have so many hidden gems; we sometimes just have to look a little harder to find them.

The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Creating sustainable events is actually very easy and not as costly as most believe. You have to plan properly, design early and have the intention to follow through.

All too often the sustainability is side lined when we get too busy with the other details. It should be the detail.

Of course, measuring your efforts is important. If you can include in your budget for an event sustainability auditor, then please do. This person will not only assist you with some ideas, guide you and ultimately tell you where you succeeded, where there is room for improvement and what your benchmark is so that you can better the score next time around.

I am a big believer that change starts at home. If you make small adjustments in your behaviour within your own personal environment then you are likely to carry those principles into other areas of your life. It doesn’t matter if you are the managing director of a company or the cleaner. We all have the power to make a positive difference in our communities. We all have the power to make a constructive change for future generations to come.

Lorin Bowen

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hys Rall, the founder of the company, embarked on his flying career in 1975. He now boasts close to 8,000 flying hours.

Desert Air has grown from humble beginnings in 1996 to a major player in the highly competitive tourism and charter market today. In July 2011, Desert Air opened its own aircraft maintenance organisation in order to perform all the maintenance required on their own aircraft and private clients. In January 2017, the company inaugurated its own flight school and also expanded its services to the tourism industry, offering complete personalised tailor-made travel packages through their Desert Air Africa Safaris division.

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plane, the landscape unfurls before you and the breathtaking views make for once-in-alifetime photographs.

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7h

THE TOURISM HANDBOOK

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a truly exceptional experience

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Film Tourism and Tourism Film Festivals

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ilm tourism has been described as movie – induced Tourism, Screen Tourism, Cinematic Tourism and Media Based Tourism. It is a Niche Tourism. It can be described as a branch of Cultural Tourism and refers to the growing interest and demand for locations which became popular due to their appearance in films and television series. (Zimmerman, 2003). Zimmerman describes film tourism as all forms of travelling to destinations, which in general enable a connection with the world of film. It can further be divided into 3 sub-categories, including film promotion tourism, travel film tourism and film induced tourism.

According to Nichola Tooke and Michael Baker, the “promotion of destinations through visual media [can be traced] back to the paintings and sketches brought home by those who undertook ‘Grand Tours’ in the 17-19th centuries”. Images as a means of deliberate destination promotion were increasingly used to attract the attention of potential tourists. A great example of this was the case of posters and illustrations produced

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by steamship companies and railways, in order to “demonstrate the destination and its attractions to potential visitors”.

With the advent of photography, personal images could also be taken and postcards could be used to portray an image of a destination to the people of the tourist’s country of origin.

With the inception of moving images (motion pictures), film became a “powerful influence on people’s tastes and ideas”.

Movies and television, being very accessible media, form part of popular culture.

Considering that the current trend in society is for people to read less, it can reasonably be expected that the power of persuasion that films exert will only continue to expand. Ref Nichola Tooke & Michael Baker, “Seeing is believing: the effect of film on visitor numbers to screened locations”, in Tourism Management 17(2), 1996, p. 88.

Stefan Roesch traces the most persuasive origins of film tourism to the major tourism influx to a film location caused by The Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). After the release of the film, Tahiti turned into a major tourist destination. The actual emergence of the

11 phenomenon occurred over a decade later with the release of films such as The Third Man (1949), Niagara (1953), To Catch a Thief (1955), Bridge on the River Kwai(1958), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Sound of Music (1965).

The city of Salzburg, the location for The Sound of Music, still profits from around 300 000 film tourists per year. Of these, 70% state that the movie is the main reason for their visit.

Ref. Stefan Roesch, The Experiences of Film Location Tourists, p. 8.

The advantages of film induced tourism is that there is an increase in tourists to a destination which presents many opportunities for growth of new businesses in the tourism sector. More tour guides are required, more restaurant and accommodation facilities are required. There is increased expenditure and employment creation.

We need to remember that the film was filmed in that region or destination. This has distinct advantages as there is increased expenditure and employment creation during and after production.

During the production process, the entire production crew makes use of local accommodation and hospitality facilities as well as transport services. There are increased employment opportunities for local production companies, hiring of additional crew members.

According to a study published by TCI Research (2018), 80 million travelers choose a destination based on TV series and movie locations.

Tourism Film Festivals are events that target a specific market segment. It is a niche segment attracting, Tourism and Travel professionals; International Tourism Agencies; Key travel industry buyers; travel industry product owners; Film and Television Professionals; International Film Commissions; Media; Influencers; Digital Media& Advertising Agencies.

They are a growing phenomenon that provides critical market access to outlying tourism

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destinations while at the same time providing tourism revenue for the townswhere the festivals are hosted. The festivals trigger local programmes with multiple objectives including attracting visitors, promoting the destination that the festival is held, boosting local economies, strengthening local identities with the main aimof creating a distinct brand identity.

Festivals are a vital link in the chain of global audio-visual culture and are the perfect places for meetings between professionals that share similar affinities. Festivals include conferences and workshops and allows professions to present creative work and discuss topics that are pertinent to the industry.

The International Tourism Film Festival Africa is part of a collective of International Film Festival around the world. CIFFT is the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals which are held in 18 cities in 17 Countries around the world. CIFFT recognises excellence in promoting destinations through the audio-visual medium.

Last year the International Tourism Film Festival Africa received 864 entries from 89 countries of which 23 countries were from Africa.

The ITFFA is there to award the best tourism films in different categories. The ITFFA is there to promote Africa as a tourism and business destination as well as a filming destination.

The audio-visual sector is one of the fastest growing areas. Tourism operators, boards and agencies increasingly rely on video to market their products and destinations to the world.

The Tourism Film festivals gives recognition for the great work that is done in tourism.

Awards can contribute to successful public recognition in the following manner: • Visibility: Awards can help garner a significant amount of visibility; • Validation: Awards speak volumes about a destination’s attributes and substantiate credibility; • Reputation: Awards can improve the perceived reputation of the destination;

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• Differentiation: Awards set a destination apart from competitors and help differentiate the quality of achievements and services from others.

Awards play an important role in increasing new audiences and clients and encouraging creative evolution to creating and developing new exciting content.

Having attended some of the Film Festivals on the CIFFT circuit, one can immediately see how important these festivals are. Although they have a specific targeted audience, there are film makers and tourism professionals in attendance.

Everyone captures their experiences of the festivals with their smart phones and other filming equipment. They then send it out to their friends and associates and by default promote the town or city that the festival is held. There are specific elements that make a Tourism Film Festivals successful.

A great marketing/social media campaign to attract entries from all corners of the world.

Secondly one needs to have a great panel of international jurors. The Jurors should have a mixture of experience from film making, advertising, media and naturally tourism.

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The festival itself requires great content and topics of conversation for the conference.

The award winners of the different categories arethe captured audience. They come to collect their award but they also come to network and learn. As they are film makers and creative people, they also come armed with filming equipment. They beam out all their captured moments to the world on social media.

The towns that host the festivals need to put their best foot forward. They need to give the visitors an extraordinary experience of their region. Food and tourism activities plays a very important role for networking and exposing the special gems that are present in the towns and the regions. The festivals are cultural experiences. Opportunities need to be created for the visitors to become the Travel Ambassadors of the host destination.

As you can see there is a distinct difference between film tourism and tourism films.

Tourism gets rewarded through film tourism and Tourism Film Festivals. “One minute of video has the same value and impact as 1,8 million words” – Dr James McQuivey, Forrester Research.

Caroline Ungersbock, Festival Director ITFFA

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Sustainable Adventure Tourism

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dventure tourism is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in the recreation/leisure and tourism industry. The outdoor recreation industry (ORI) is a multi-dimensional economic sector that fuels employment in sectors such as manufacturing, finance, retail, transportation, food service, tourism, conservation, travel and more. Sub-sectors of the ORI include wildlife viewing and conservation. Recreational vehicle industry, recreational fishing, hunting, the adventure industry that inlude watersport, air sport, land sport, and camping (Nel, 2020).

Nel (2020) also state that the current ORI is a significant contributer to SA’s GDP with a direct impact of R173 billion and the indirect contribution is R346 billion to SA’s GDP. It contibutes to 716 891 direct and 1,2 million indirect jobs while it isadding an amount of R86,49 billion to SA’s anual tax revenue.

In order for a leisure experience to be classified as an adventure experience, it must meet for four criteria: it must be a state of mind, it must be entered into voluntarily, it must be in-

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trinsically motivating, and lastly, the outcome must be uncertain (Priest &Gass, 2018:30).Thus, risk and challenge play an important role in the motivation to participate in adventure tourism.

However, for an adventure tourism business to be sustainable, it needs to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations, 1987). By definition then, what is not sustainable cannot last.

In supporting this, Savitz and Weber (2006:2) explain that a sustainable corporation is one that creates profit for its shareholders while protecting the environment and improving the lives of those with whom it interacts. This include the shareholders, owners, clients, staff and the environment.

The offering of valuable products and services to paying customers is the purpose of any business, and at the very least, the money received should fund the cost of operating the business and to provide for the life needs of the proprietor and other staff. In the adventure business it is no different, but here the company should also incorporate three additional principles: participant safety, environmental protection and preservation, and positive participant outcomes through quality outdoor experiences (Priest & Gass, 2018:30).

The most important challenge is to find a way of achieving a safe sustainable competitive advantage over the other competing products and firms in a market. A competitive advantage is an advantage over competitors gained by offering consumers greater value for their money, either by offering lower prices, or by providing greater benefits and service, or in adventure tourism, a greater client experience that justifies higher prices (Riley, 2016).

The Adventure Travel Trade Association ADTI bases its adventure tourism rankings on

12 three categories which comprise of ten competitive pillars. These ten pillars are divided into three categories: safe and welcoming, adventure resources and readiness.

Each of the ten pillars plays a crucial role in adventure tourism development and adventure market competitiveness. The ten pillars are the following (ADTI, 2015:11-16): Category 1: Safe and welcoming Sustainable development policy. Government policies that support sustainable rural tourism development may help to safeguard a destination’s natural, heritage and cultural resources.

By coordinating the public and private sectors through these policies, new investment and development can be attracted to the region. Safety and security. Safety and security are concerned with the degree to which adventure operators provide for the safety of the adventure tourist, and whether or not they have facilities and expertise to cope with possible injuries. Transparency from the tour operator on standards and best practices, as well as the ability to react to real risk situations, guarantee greater safety for the adventure tourist in carrying out the adventure activity.

Natural resources. Adventure tourists react positively to unspoilt and well-managed natural resources and will give praise to an operator who does not exploit unusual or rare natural resources. Health.

Health refers to the level of healthcare available in the region or the country. A higher number of physicians and hospital facilities (hospital beds) found in a region could indicate better access to healthcare.

Category 2: Adventure resources Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship can be considered as the ability to try new activities, provide new experiences and to implement new technologies, and can be measured by determining the region’s economic freedom (comprised of aspects such as investment

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freedom, financial freedom, trade freedom, and business freedom.)

Adventure activity resources. Adventure activity resources refer to the destination’s ability to support different adventure activities, such as rivers that are suited to canoeing or mountains for hiking and mountaineering.

Category 3: Readiness Humanitarian. This pillar is concerned with human development through authentic and unscripted experiences. The opportunity to voluntarily participate in relevant causes, such as anti-poaching initiatives, can provide adventure tourists with these experiences.

Infrastructure. There are two types of adventure tourism infrastructure, namely hard and soft infrastructure. Hard infrastructure has to do with substantial capital investment, such as roads, facilities, trails and lodging, while soft infrastructure has to do with a low capital outlay, such as trail maps, accessibility to information, outfitters and ground operators, and training programmes (to become a guide or interpreter).

Cultural resources. The availability of authentic cultural interactions is a vital investment for a destination or tour operator.

It entails encouraging local people to preserve their culture and heritage and does not unethically exploit their traditions.

Image. This has to do with the adventure tourist’s perception of a destination.

Sustainable development strategies and the availability of adventure opportunities are only some of the aspects that influence the image of an adventure destination.

A study conducted by Venter (2019) indicated that safe and sustainable adventure tourism businesses depend on the successful functioning in six domains or areas, namely: corporate, administration, marketing, operations, programming and risk domains.

The corporate domain deals with factors like company or organisation’s vision, mission,

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goals and objectives; company culture; company image, accreditations, permits and licenses; the owner and management’s attitude; staff qualifications and competence, registrations; logistics and staff support; and management of staff recruitment and training.

The administration domain includes financial management; human resource management of company’s management, leadership and supervision’s abilities and attitude; sub-contractor management; documentation and record keeping; information and communication management; procurement; and time management.

The marketing domain includes factors such as the Marketing plan (7 Ps – product, place, price, promotion, people, physical environment, passion); marketing materials; merchandise; sales; public relations and customer relations management; sponsorships; and corporate social responsibility.

Theoperations domain comprises of the management of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies; leadership maturity, abilities and attitude; attendee/client/ participant abilities and attitude; infrastructure, equipment and logistics; staff familiarity with selected sites or venues and environmental stewardship; technical and non-technical skills; and human factors.

Needs assessment; determining adventure activity, programme or trip goals and objectives; selecting and matching activities with client needs and abilities; the selection of suitable sites or venues, equipment, staff, food and beverage are all part of the programming domain.

The risk domain includes factors like risk assessments; compliance with legal and insurance requirements; the application of problem solving, sound judgement, decisionmaking and professional ethics; the company’s policies on health, safety and security; the development and application of emergency action plans; conducting of threat and error

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management; and application, training, evaluation and development of adventure resource management principles.

However, despite of the effective functioning in these six domains, adventure tourism safety can never be guaranteed and accidents will still happen, but reputable companies try to mitigate such possibilities by employing well trained and qualified staff whilst robustly applying properly tested SOPs to make adventure experiences as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Dr Dewald Venter

Dr Dewald Venter Dr Dewald Venter is a: • Lecturer in Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Leadership at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management.

• Registered National culture, nature and adventure tourist guide.

• Registered CATHSSETA assessor for qualifications, skills programmes and unit standards in sports coaching, travel and tourism, culture guiding, nature guiding, adventure guiding and adventure based learning.

• Founding member of the Southern African Adventure Industry Association.

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The Impact of the Coronavirus on Tourism in South Africa Impacts The outbreak of the Coronavirus can best be described by Charles Dickens in his classical poem, A Tale of Two Cities. ‘’It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair’’.

The early forecasts are that the slowing Chinese economy will have its economic growth cut by more than 2% due to disruptions caused to commerce and industry, according to Moody’s Analytics. The coronavirus, also known as nCoV is spreading quickly after it began in Wuhan province late last year.

Estimates are that the corona virus infections are more widespread that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Many infections such as influenza, Ebola, rabies, SARS and Corona virus are transmitted from animals to humans.

It is difficult to forecast how many people will be infected or die from the 2019-Cov but

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it’s safe to predict that several thousands will eventually become sick and die. The epicentre of the corona virus outbreak remains Wuhan, and international detection of the corona virus can be associated with person-to-person spread of this virus outside China. The outbreak occurred at possibly the worst of time for China, as it was during the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year), which is a national holiday period, and is regarded as the world’s biggest annual migration by humans.

An estimated 3 billion trips would be undertaken during the Chinese New Year festivities, beginning on 10 January to 18 February, and Lunar New Year being celebrated on the 25th January 2020. We remain unaware how the corona virus would mutate to become more contagious in the future.

Implications The travel season in China begins usually around 15 days preceding New Year’s Day and lasts for around 40 days. This period of massive migration internally in China and between

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the gaze when a global health emergency has emerged.

Air travel, more than any other transport sector, has the most potential to spread infectious diseases. The immediate impact is that mass gatherings have been cancelled in neighbouring countries and countries where Chinese New Year’s related celebrations were planned.

China and other countries is a confluence of mass migration which benefits domestic, regional and international tourism.

As the Chinese travel to see family within China and from all over the world, the festivities are increasingly being celebrated in foreign lands, which have created themed festivals to attract the Chinese during this period.

This phenomenon of the Chinese New Year is experienced in several East Asian countries such as Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.

The outbreak of corona has devastated regional economies in Asia and Australasia which were expecting the descent of Chinese tourists, laden with cash to spend during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Many tourist sites and attractions were closed, whilst a plethora of countries have issued travel warning against visiting China. As a result of massive quarantine affecting in excess of 60 million people, the Chinese economy will be severely affected, with most global airlines stopping flights to China.

This has resulted in more than 25 000 flights being cancelled collectively, and a prolonged suspension of flights to China may have disastrous financial consequences for the revenue of major airlines. The cruising industry will also be affected, which at times escaped

Chinese Outbound Tourism The economic growth miracle in China over the past two decades has lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty, and increased the disposable income available for leisure consumption. The habit of holidays outside of China is increasingly becoming institutionalised in China, and the Chinese contribute the bulk of outbound tourists in most Asian destinations and almost all destinations have jumped on the ‘trying to attract Chinese tourists’ bandwagon.

China today is the largest outbound market, producing 159 million outbound tourists in 2019. The absence of the Chinese market means that destinations must make Plan B’s, as plan A was too great a plan to fail. China is the fifth largest inbound market in world tourism, welcoming nearly 62,6 million tourists in 2019.

The closure of casinos in Macau is significant, when you consider that Macau over-generates Las Vegas revenues by over five times.

If the outbreak continues for an extended period, it may be a significant blow to the Chinese economy and lead to loss of confidence in the region. After all, the show must go on.

Chinese Tourists to South Africa In the case of South Africa, after the global financial crisis of 2009-10, when tourist arrivals from Western countries, as part of tourism resilience, a decision was taken to go East in trying to grow South Africa’s share of tourists from India and China.

South Africa was found to be overexposed to Western countries, and the lessons learn

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during the global financial crisis, is that a developing tourism destination must have a robust domestic tourism industry, to sustain the tourism value chain, when international tourist arrivals decrease.

However, in the South African context, domestic tourism has been declining due to weak economic conditions, and all indications are that the economic fortunes will be direr after the expected ratings downgrade to junk. This means that the South Africa is therefore more dependent on regional and international tourists to manage its tourism value chain.

China is the fifth most important inbound market for South Africa, and the quarantine in China will impact on tourism arrivals in South Africa. This means that South Africa would have to improve connectivity with existing source markets to increase tourist arrivals.

Future Prospects The outbreak of the corona virus is firstly a human tragedy as thousands of people have lost their lives to this infectious disease. The world economy will be hurt as China produces and exports so much of the manufactured products, and as major cellphone producers are already feeling the pinch, in the world’s largest market for smartphones.

The outbreak of contagious diseases is nothing new in the world, and the World Health Organisation is possibly aware that as the world evolves, there are prospects for future outbreaks. China is vital for the global tourism economy, being a major destination and a major source market for many tourism destinations. Tourists participate in tourism consumption primarily for leisure, enjoyment and a means to improve their Quality of Life, and the tourism industry is very vulnerable to external shocks such the outbreak of contagious diseases that create turbulence within the industry, leading to a reduction in travel and therefore tourism consumption.

Progress is being made in creating a vaccine

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for the corona virus, and once the quarantine is lifted, tourism will be at the forefront of industries that would assist China to reboot its economy. The tourism industry is very resilient and tourists will once again seek to visit China for leisure and business.

The reoccurrence of contagious diseases in the Far East may lead to major airlines, hotels and cruise ships seeking new, up-and-coming destinations, which may include Latin America and Africa. Times of crisis are pregnant with opportunity and whilst China must be experiencing the worst of times, it might be an opportunity for destination Africa to increase its marketing outlays to attract more international tourists in the absence of China from the tourism radar. African tourism destinations must in the meantime ensure that they reflect on the experience of the Chinese tourists in their countries, considering the uniqueness of Chinese tourists. This is imperative to ensure that destinations come with compelling market offerings that would attract the cash-laden Chinese tourists in China and in the diaspora to visit destination South Africa specifically and Africa generally.

To achieve this outcome, destination countries must have comprehensive plans on how to detect and treat any outbreak of the corona virus. Tourists are becoming more sophisticated, as they get more experienced in travelling and with the emergence of social media, the true reality of a destination can be accessed using smartphones.

Pandemic preparedness should not be limited to ports of entry, it must be scaled down to improve primary healthcare, which primary benefit locals, through improved investment in healthcare. Travelers are expected to play a role as being an integral part of the global surveillance network for emerging infectious diseases. What I have learnt is that people know the truth before you tell them a lie!

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2020 is the Year of Plant Health Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The United Nations has declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). The year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.

Protecting plants from pests and diseases is far more cost effective than dealing with fullblown plant health emergencies. Plant pests and diseases are often impossible to eradicate once they have established themselves and managing them is time consuming and expensive. Prevention is critical to avoiding the devastating impact of pests and diseases on agriculture, livelihoods and food security and many of us have a role to play.

What can we do to support #PlantHealth?

We all need to respect plant health regulations that have been put in place to protect agriculture, forestry and the environment. Be careful about bringing plants and plant products (e.g. seeds, vegetables, cut flowers) across borders, even when you order from online sources.

Everyday actions also include reducing your environmental footprint, protecting natural resources and spreading the word. • Be careful when taking plants and plant products with you when you travel as they may spread plant pests and diseases. Con-

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14 tact your national plant health authority beforehand to make sure that you are not infringing plant health laws.

• Be cautious when ordering plants and plant products online or through postal services as small packages can easily bypass If you are a farmer or work in agribusiness, you can have a direct influence on plants, and the management of natural resources. Women and men who work in agriculture play a vital role in protecting plant health.

• Prevent the spread of pests by using only certified pest-free seeds and seedlings.

• Regularly monitor and report the occurrence of pests on your farms.

• Adopt environmentally friendly pestmanagement practices – including those based on biological approaches that do not kill pollinators, and beneficial insects and organisms.

• Take advantage of modern digital technology, mobile apps and software to access information about how to prevent and manage plant pests and diseases and to report outbreaks.

What can we do to support #PlantHealth?

Governments can protect plant health in many ways, thus enhancing food security, protecting the environment, and facilitating trade.

• Promote public awareness campaigns on the importance of plant health and what everyone can do to protect plants.

• Invest in plant protection organizations and ensure that they have adequate human and financial resources.

• Invest more in research related to plant health and in innovative practices and technologies, and provide incentives for the private sector and farmers to do so too.

• Ensure that phytosanitary import requirements are based on IPPC standards and are technically justified, consistent with

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the pest risk involved, represent the least restrictive measures available, and result in the minimum impediment to the international movement of people, commodities and conveyances.

• Enforce plant health standards and strengthen plant protection capacity, including by conducting a phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) in collaboration with the IPPC Secretariat.

• Strengthen monitoring and early warning systems to protect plants and plant health.

• Align policies and actions with sustainable development goals related to plant health, in particular those aimed at eliminating hunger and malnutrition and reducing poverty and threats to the environment.

Private sector businesses have a key role in plant health as they can contribute to the development of global plant health standards and help implement them. The private sector is also a driver of innovation in the plant-health domain and a key player in the production and protection of plants and plant products.

• Promote environmentally friendly products and practices for preventing and managing pests.

• Make trading and transporting plants and plant products safer by complying with international plant health standards and legislation.

• Inform clients that transporting plants and plant products may spread plant pests and diseases – sometimes with devastating results.

• Sustain innovative plant-health practices and the use of new technologies to facilitate market access in line with international standards.

We now know what we need to do, who is actually doing it?

Compiled by Caroline Ungersbock

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Rostock Ritz The perfect place to relax and

Desert Lodge Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge

Our 11 African-style rock igloos, built to have minimal visual and ecological impact on the landscape can accommodate up to 38 guests.

Day visitors are welcome!

Facilities and services: • • • • • • •

À-la-carte restaurant Lounge Bar Wi-Fi Terrace with a stunning view Chill-out area and lapa Swimming pool with the best view in the west

Accommodation:

• 16 standard rooms (two disabled-friendly) • three suites All rooms have an en-suite bathroom, a ceiling fan and its own terrace with a panoramic view.

Ten different well-marked walking trails through the unique Rostock landscape of mountains, canyons, plains and dunes are at the guests disposal, including booklets in German and English, GPS coordinates and GPS devices.

enjoy the true natural beauty of Namibia

Rostock Ritz Campsite

Rostock Ritz Campsite is conveniently located 240 km from Swakopmund and 240 km from Windhoek, 180 km from Sossusvlei, and 55 km north of Solitaire, positioning us as an ideal camping location.

The campsite offers impressive scenery from the highest dunes of the world to cave paintings as well as more than 60 km of well-marked hiking trails through the beautiful mountains and the gorges of Gaub and Kuiseb Canyon.

Camping facilities:

• power supply • four wash basins, four showers with warm water and four flush toilets • four campsites with running water • braai/barbeque facilities • scenic fire place with beautiful panoramic view, can accommodate 25 people • big terrace • kitchen with tap and dishwashing facilities • use of lodge restaurant and bar • transfer to lodge available • firewood is available for purchase • no pool

Tel: +264 (0)81 258 5722 • Email: reservations@rostock-ritz-desert-lodge.com Coordinates: S 23° 31’ 53.2” E 15° 48’.8” www.rostock-ritz-desert-lodge.com

AUTHORS

Contributors Caroline Ungersbock Caroline Ungersbock is the co-founder of the STPP and Festival Director of the International Tourism Film Festival – Africa. Caroline is also the Chairperson of the SABS Tourism Technical Committee and Chairperson of Service Excellence in Tourism. Caroline has travelled to many towns in South Africa assisting tourism businesses and municipalities with sustainable tourism awareness, tourism development, responsible tourism implementation and community tourism development. She is an international speaker sharing her grass roots experience and knowledge.

She pro-actively engages with industry at more than 15 forums and has influenced policies, standards and planning initiatives.

Lorraine Keenan Lorraine Keenan is the founder of Hero Holidays Volunteer programs Pty Ltd. Born and reared in Dublin Ireland Lorraine celebrates her Irishness as the proud chairperson of the Irish South African Association.

Lorraine is also the Gauteng Chair of SAYTC (South Africa youth Travel Confederation). She is a social entrepreneur and has alignedherself to a few registered and sustainable non profit organisations particularly in the facilitating of ECD early child development programs. www.heroholidays. co.za

Carl Momberg Carl Momberg is a writer. He is the owner and editor of capeinfo.com which became one of the great destination portals for Southern Africa.

Over the years Carl has been involved in producing and publishing books, magazines and journals. Architecture SA which became the Journal of the Institute of SA Architects in its second year.

Carl is a Destination Marketeer. He was involved in the Waterfront Steering Committee, St George’s Mall Steering Committee. He was responsible for the international branding of the V&A Waterfront and responsible for publishing The Waterfront Review. His AV productions have won awards in the New York Film and TV Festival.

Carl has been a branding consultant to many of the major companies in South Africa. He wrote and published the book ‘The Compelling Cape’ in support of Cape Town’s Olympic Bid. The book showcased Cape Town’s resources, economy and attractions.

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AUTHORS

Contributors Rhian Berning Rhian Berning is the founder of Eco Atlas www.ecoatlas.co.za and Eco-logic Award Winner. I’m passionate about providing proactive tools so we can overcome the great disconnect and have a true sense of the part we play in this web we call life, enabling a viable future for all.”

Martin Hatchuel Martin Hatchuel trained as a horticulturist, and used his knowledge of the environment to become a tour guide in the forests and on the rivers of the Garden Route (he was the first guide at Knysna’s Featherbed Nature Reserve when it opened in the mid-80s). In ‘96 he took up writing professionally for and about the tourism industry, and he returned to horticulture - this time as a rehabilitation horticulturist - after the Knysna fires of 2017. He still writes for his living, though.martinhatcheul@gmail. com +2784 951 0574.

Jacqui Taylor Jacqui Taylor is the founder and managing director of Agritourism South Africa www.agritourismsouthafrica.com. Jacqui has 30 years of experience in the Tourism and Agriculture industries, both nationally and internationally. She has worked on Community Development projects and companies. Jacqui sits on a number of committees and forums. She is passionate about Agriculture, Conservation, Animals, Photography, sustainable tourism initiatives and writing.

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AUTHORS

Contributors Toroga Denver Breda Toroga Denver Breda, based in Xhui-Qhaeb or Cape Town is a First Nations cultural and language activist, creative and marketer whose work seeks to amplify South Africa’s almost forgotten First nation narratives. Company name: Munanai which means visualise in KHOEKHOE, one of RSA’s First Nation languages.

Lorin Bowen Lorin Bowen is currently SAACI’s Johannesburg branch chair, a position she has held since 2017. She was also awarded a Top 40 Women In MICE award in 2015 and the SAACI Personality of Year Award in 2012. In 2019 she was awarded the professional congress organiser of the year as voted by the SAACI membership.

At the end of 2017 was the start of Lorin Bowen Business Events. www.lorinbowen.co.za

Dr Dewald Venter Dr Dewald Venter is a Lecturer in Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Leadership at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management. He is a registered National culture, nature and adventure tourist guide; registered CATHSSETA assessor for qualifications, skills programmes and unit standards in sports coaching, travel and tourism, culture guiding, nature guiding, adventure guiding and adventure based learning; and a founding member of the Southern African Adventure Industry Association.

Unathi Sonwabile Henama Unathi Sonwabile Henama is a lecturer at the Department of Tourism Management, at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He studied for his undergraduate programme in tourism management at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein. He has a Masters in Africa Studies specializing in Tourism from the University of the Free State.

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ADVERTORIAL

NAMTIB Biosphere Reserve - home of the NAMTIB Desert Lodge and Little Hunter’s Rest Campsite

N

estled in a valley of the majestic Tiras Mountains lies NAMTIB Biosphere Reserve the home of the Theile family since 1982.

Conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources has always been the core principle of operations at NAMTIB and we adopted the Biosphere Reserve framework to formalize our activities.

Applying these guidelines on NAMTIB not only ensure that the activities are ecologically sustainable, but the project also has to be economically viable in order to be truly self supporting.

NAMTIB Desert Lodge focuses on individuality and personal attention to detail.

Henceforth, we do not offer fancy luxury, but an authentic, unpretentious experience in a lodge that is adorned with homemade out-of-nature décor. This adds to the welcoming feel of NAMTIB, where clients can find a kind of luxury they don’t easily find at home anymore: silence, solitude, wide-open spaces, tranquillity, clean fresh air, dark starlit nights.

The number of guests is normally kept below 12 so that the dinners around one big table remain a cosy affair – offering guests

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the possibility to engage with us through informative and entertaining conversations.

Our campsite Little Hunter’s Rest offers all a true bush camper could wish for: only 5 far spread sites with a shady camelthorn tree, clean ablutions and drinking water. A communal shelter is available in case of adverse weather conditions.

For those who do wish to be active, there’s enough to do on NAMTIB, with the main focus being on hiking through the uniquely spectacular landscape surrounding the lodge.

The variety of well-marked hiking trails offers everything from an easy stroll over the seemingly endless plains to more challenging hikes through the mountains. Two of the trails are suitable for mountain biking as well.

Bird watchers do also get their fair share of excitement, with almost 70 bird species having been identified so far, from the tiny Batis to the majestic Verreaux Eagle.

Informative nature drives are offered depending on demand, providing a deeper insight into the ranching activities, the ecosystem and generally the life on a farm on the edge of the Namib Desert.

NAMTIB – get disconnected from the rest to reconnect with yourself.

When a true Desert experience meets your expectation

NAMTIB Biosphere Reserve – The jewel of the Tiras Mountains!

NAMTIB Desert Lodge and Little Hunter’s Rest Campsite Linn & Thorsten • Tel: +264(0)63 683055 Fax2mail: +264(0)88 633459 • E-mail: stay@namtib.net

www.namtib.net

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Company Mega Coach

Page

IFC

Lion and Safari Park

2-3

Otjimbondona Guest House & Game Reserve

4-5

Bethanie Hotel & Guest House Serondela Lodge

6-7 9

Hermanus Whale Cruises

11

SA Airlink

13

Hammerstein Lodge Tau Game Lodge

14-15 17

Excelsior Wine Estate

18-19

The Maslow Time Square

20-23

Franschhoek Motor Museum

24-25

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

30-31

AM Weinberg Boutique Hotel

36-37

Two Oceans Aquarium

41

Vive la Vie Franschhoek

42-43

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

48-49

Bryte Insurance Company

50-51

Umlilo Lodge Sun Karros Lifestyle Safaris

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55 56-57

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

SA Airlink Divava Okavango Lodge

61 62-63

Village and Toy Museum – Stellenbosch

67

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve

69

Moholoholo

70-71

ATKV

76-77

SA Express

81

Kagga Kamma

82 -83

Platz AM Meer

87

Desert Air PTY Ltd

88-89

Bagatelle

93

SA Airlink

92-93

Intercape Ferreira Mainliner Madisa Camp Aquila Safari

97 98-99 103

Travelstart

104-105

Rockstock Ritz Desert Lodge

108-109

Voortrekker Monument NAMTIB Desert Lodge Victoria and Alfred Waterfront ITFF Africa

113 114-115 118-119 & IBC OBC

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Purpose change THAT DRIVES

The V&A Waterfront makes a significant economic contribution to the city of Cape Town and the country as a whole. It is a magnet for locals, domestic and international visitors. Every day approximately 23 000 people come to work at V&A Waterfront; it is home to 3 500 people; and up to 180 000 visitors are welcomed daily during peak season.

w w w. w a t e r f r o n t . c o . z a

A

s one of Africa’s most-visited destinations, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year and the V&A Waterfront becomes a showpiece for the best the country has to offer in terms of facilities, service and experience. It is for this reason that an outlay in time, budget and resources to produce a memorable experience is a significant investment.

The V&A Waterfront’s business purpose focusses on connecting people and communities through their passion points and shared way of life. The ongoing efforts to curate a destination that invites and inspires is driven by the business purpose and based on a shared value ecosystem.

The business case for sustainability and corporate responsibility in tourism is growing year-on-year.

Sustainable tourism centres around maintaining and avoiding the depletion of environmental, economic and cultural resources and encouraging the exploration of a destination whilst respecting and enhancing the ecology, heritage and distinctive communities who are from that destination. True sustainability lies at the sweet spot where people, planet and economy intersect, and sustainability is not only the right thing to do, but is good for business as well.

At the core of the V&A Waterfront’s purpose is the desire to create an inclusive, sustainable neighbourhood.

This means creating programmes, formulating policy and building inclusive spaces that create and support skills development, promote job creation and encourage resource efficiency on all levels, all year round.

An inclusive strategy provides for dynamism and innovation in the services and entertainment offerings, a sense of pride amongst employees and a richer and more nuanced visitor experience.

Recognising its potential as a showcase to the world, the V&A Waterfront has positioned itself to support the growth and development of local arts and culture.

over

200

people were involved in the project over a 3 month period.

Our Workshop used

2 800

DOING GOOD FOR

PEOPLE PLANET & BUSINESS

recycled bottles to create the chandeliers at the Watershed.

In 2019 they chose to bring their business purpose to life in a tangible way. They wanted to showcase how truly spectacular African creativity is and tell a positive narrative about the continent that demonstrates Africa as a place of hope and magic.

To do this, they partnered with local talent, thought leaders and industry experts who are passionate about sustainable African art, to help create

Wola Nani used

683 kg

of recycled paper from the V&A Waterfront Waste Recovery and Recycling Plant for recovering the plastic baubles and Christmas trees.

and curate the festive showcase.

The V&A Waterfront’s unique differentiator is its adjacency and access to the ocean. As such, they are seen as leaders in the protection of the environment, endeavouring to generate zero waste wherever possible. Their green business policies promote optimal water, waste and energy efficiency for staff, visitors and tenants alike, and they have been

Design Afrika & Dunoon Urban Weavers produced or sourced

335

baskets for cascading displays all over the property.

Ronel Jordaan and team used

61 metres w w w. w a t e r f r o n t . c o. z a

of felt to cover the snowflakes, planets and Christmas trees.

130

makers and artisans were represented from 5 African countries.

For every

30

crafters who participated in this project,

Sindiso Khumalo designed the Summer Palace as well as Mother Earth and Guardian of Joy’s character costumes.

80 to180

family members were financially supported every week.

Piloted a pop-up shop for

40 days

where versions of the dĂŠcor were sold by the makers

MonkeyBiz created over

50

different beaded animals for the Summer Palace kids exhibition.

awarded the highest accolades for outstanding environmental management since 2012.

Based on this, they chose to reuse, upcycle, donate and repurpose all their old festive season decorations that formed the magnificent displays on site, or use sustainable and reusable materials to create new ones.

The project involved more than 200 people, of which 130 were local artisans. A pop-up shop in the Victoria Wharf Shopping

The project will run for

4 years

with a potential exposure value of 12 million eyes on the work

Centre was piloted for visitors to purchase versions of the dĂŠcor, with profits going to the creators and communities from which they came.

The aim with the media campaign was to encourage a positive narrative around the craftsmanship and their communities, challenge the traditional approach to the festive season, and above all, be an agent for change in the pursuit of true sustainability for all.

Visit www.waterfront.co.za for more info on our sustainability framework.

www.itff.africa BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Act Responsibly • Grow Sustainably Contact: Caroline Ungersbock - caroline@stpp.co.za

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

SUPPORTING: