This is an extract of the speech that Minister Winde gave at the Tourism Indaba 2010:
I am honoured to address you on this, the 32nd day before the kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
With so little time left, I am pleased to see that infrastructure plans are being wrapped up; our airport, which recently won an award for being the best airport in Africa, is ready and South Africans across the country are gearing up to show our tourists that we have the most spirit of any country to host the Cup thus far.
Recent statistics released by SA Tourism confirmed that while the recession caused a global drop in tourism markets of 4% last year, tourism to Africa bucked the trend and grew by nearly 4%. Tourism to South Africa contributed over R189 billion to our GDP.
Notwithstanding these achievements, the Western Cape tourism industry has been through a rather rocky period. Last year June, we put together a task team consisting of City and Province representatives, who began to pave the way forward for a brand new, politically immune destination marketing model that we believe will pave the way forward for tourism marketing in South Africa. The emphasis of this plan was on finding new ways to foster cooperation and market ourselves with our collective resources. I am pleased to deliver this plan to you today.
Section 4A of the Constitution lists tourism as a functional area of concurrent national and provincial competence. Schedule 4B of the Constitution identifies local tourism as a local government functional area.
Our major achievements are:
· A single brand encompassing city, regional and provincial destinations;
· A single tourism marketing strategy, which demonstrates seamless coordination among SA Tourism, the Province and Regional and Local Tourism Organisations, with the business plans of the organisations aligned to deliver against this single Western Cape Tourism Marketing Strategy.
· A Single Destination Marketing Organisation at provincial level for tourism marketing and promotion, with clearly defined roles, actions, deliverables and measures.
To support the above, the destination marketing organisation will receive a new name and a new, more representative 16 seat board, made up of a CEO, Province and City ex officios, 1 seat for the DMO, 1 for the Cape Metropole, 5 for the district municipalities, and 6 public representatives with tourism qualifications and background.
We are currently in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town. This will be followed by a Service Level Agreement between the City of Cape Town and Cape Town Routes Unlimited for the 2010/2011 financial year. We need similar processes to take place with the five District Municipalities.
After such time, together we will appoint an independent team to develop the Western Cape Tourism Marketing Strategy for the destination.
I would like to extend my thanks to the Western Cape tourism industry and the team at CTRU, who have worked very hard over the past five years and have made significant accomplishments. CTRU has represented the destination at 48 international tourism consumer and trade shows and engaged some 8 500 tour operators directly. It has managed to secure 24 Joint Marketing Agreements to the value of R836 million on these shows, adding significant value to the local industry.
It has also supported 367 city and provincial events which have boosted the attractiveness of our location to visitors. These projects have also supported local economic development.
CTRU’s Conventions Bureau has prepared and submitted 83 bids to host conferences in the Western Cape. It won 48 bids, mostly (95%) for the CTICC. Collectively, these bids had a conservatively stated economic impact of R950 million on the Western Cape economy.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
On 1 May 2010, the Matzi Leather Co-operative hosted its official opening. Alan Winde, and Minister of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation Sakkie Jenner attended the event.
The Matzi Leather Co-operative was started after three Vanrhynsdorp women approached a local leathersmith for training. One year and many hours of mentorship later, the women – Mietjie Lott, Lindell Flink and Janet Stevens, with the guidance of CEO Alida du Preez – opened the first and only leather cooperative in the country that makes hand-stitched goods based on an 18th century manufacturing technique.
At the opening, Alida du Preez expressed her excitement about the group’s achievements: “Already, we have had orders from abroad as well as many sales from tourists passing through Vanrhynsdorp. I am pleased that the co-op has had a positive economic impact for the women involved.”
Minister Alan Winde was just as excited about the formation of Matzi Leather, stating that with hard work, the co-op could make Vanrhynsdorp the leather capital of South Africa and jumpstart tourism to the area: “Cooperatives empower people by enabling even the poorest segment of the population to participate in economic progress. While small business ventures are never an easy path at first, if one believes in ones product, and knows that it is the best there is, it will grow from strength to strength. This co-op can become a vital part of building tourism to Vanrhynsdorp because it offers the authentic experience that travellers are looking for.”
Minister Sakkie Jenner had a more sombre message: “This is an important opportunity for the residents of Vanrhynsdorp, who must make sure that they work together at all times to create something big. It is also important that we learn from best practice and transfer our skills to others.”
One of the Co-operative’s members, Mietjie Lott, said that the opening of Matzi Leather was a special moment in her life. Despite only finishing her first grade of schooling, and not being able to read or write, she has learnt a unique skill and is now earning an income for her family. She claimed that she had always wished to own a set of false teeth, and would be putting some of the profits aside to make this dream a reality.
The Matzi Leather Co-operative was started after three Vanrhynsdorp women approached a local leathersmith for training. One year and many hours of mentorship later, the women – Mietjie Lott, Lindell Flink and Janet Stevens, with the guidance of CEO Alida du Preez – opened the first and only leather cooperative in the country that makes hand-stitched goods based on an 18th century manufacturing technique.
At the opening, Alida du Preez expressed her excitement about the group’s achievements: “Already, we have had orders from abroad as well as many sales from tourists passing through Vanrhynsdorp. I am pleased that the co-op has had a positive economic impact for the women involved.”
Minister Alan Winde was just as excited about the formation of Matzi Leather, stating that with hard work, the co-op could make Vanrhynsdorp the leather capital of South Africa and jumpstart tourism to the area: “Cooperatives empower people by enabling even the poorest segment of the population to participate in economic progress. While small business ventures are never an easy path at first, if one believes in ones product, and knows that it is the best there is, it will grow from strength to strength. This co-op can become a vital part of building tourism to Vanrhynsdorp because it offers the authentic experience that travellers are looking for.”
Minister Sakkie Jenner had a more sombre message: “This is an important opportunity for the residents of Vanrhynsdorp, who must make sure that they work together at all times to create something big. It is also important that we learn from best practice and transfer our skills to others.”
One of the Co-operative’s members, Mietjie Lott, said that the opening of Matzi Leather was a special moment in her life. Despite only finishing her first grade of schooling, and not being able to read or write, she has learnt a unique skill and is now earning an income for her family. She claimed that she had always wished to own a set of false teeth, and would be putting some of the profits aside to make this dream a reality.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Choo-Tjoe News edition 7
Since coming to office just over six months ago, we have made remarkable inroads into keeping the Choo-Tjoe steaming, not least because of the public support shown by you. I have also developed a true appreciation for the beauty and meaning of steam trains.
When I first became aware that the Choo-Tjoe was to be derailed, I was very heart sore. For many, the Choo-Tjoe is more than a train – it is a symbol of our proud heritage and an icon of the livelihoods it has sustained over the decades.
Today, we stand in a very different position. Transnet has agreed to keep the train on track until a suitable private owner is found. In October, they issued a call for Expressions of Interest, and we believe that they have had responses.
At present, the submissions that Transnet have received are being evaluated, after which time a short-listing process will occur. In conjunction will Transnet, we will be sure to issue you with news as soon as a successful bidder has been chosen.
Unfortunately, since this is a tender process (managed entirely by Transnet), details around the applications must remain confidential. This is to protect the identity of the participants to the process.
If you do have any queries, please contact Transnet directly by e-mailing: Mboniso.sigonyela@transnet.net.
I would like to urge all steam fanatics, and especially the recipients of our newsletter, to please take a trip on the Choo-Tjoe this festive season. As you know best, it is a wonderful way to spend a day with your family. Due to a severe drought in the Garden Route, the Choo-Tjoe may be running off diesel. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Choo-Tjoe remains and it will be an experience to be remembered.
When I first became aware that the Choo-Tjoe was to be derailed, I was very heart sore. For many, the Choo-Tjoe is more than a train – it is a symbol of our proud heritage and an icon of the livelihoods it has sustained over the decades.
Today, we stand in a very different position. Transnet has agreed to keep the train on track until a suitable private owner is found. In October, they issued a call for Expressions of Interest, and we believe that they have had responses.
At present, the submissions that Transnet have received are being evaluated, after which time a short-listing process will occur. In conjunction will Transnet, we will be sure to issue you with news as soon as a successful bidder has been chosen.
Unfortunately, since this is a tender process (managed entirely by Transnet), details around the applications must remain confidential. This is to protect the identity of the participants to the process.
If you do have any queries, please contact Transnet directly by e-mailing: Mboniso.sigonyela@transnet.net.
I would like to urge all steam fanatics, and especially the recipients of our newsletter, to please take a trip on the Choo-Tjoe this festive season. As you know best, it is a wonderful way to spend a day with your family. Due to a severe drought in the Garden Route, the Choo-Tjoe may be running off diesel. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Choo-Tjoe remains and it will be an experience to be remembered.
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