Township residents must prioritise safety of visitors – deputy minister
TOWNSHIP folk should play their part to ensure tourists do not get attacked and raped, Tourism Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe said in Mabopane, Pretoria.
She made the comment during a community meeting on opportunities in the tourism sector, speaking against crime affecting tourists. “We have to ensure that we will be able to change the situation, and make sure tourists can be free and they are not raped.”
Thabethe told those present at the Mabopane indoor sports hall that the adoption of destination marketing would attract tourists from abroad to the area and boost the local economy.She told the residents about programmes, including the tourism incentive programme, enterprise development and skills development, which the Department of Tourism could provide to communities.
“As the Department of Tourism, we have numerous programmes that seek to empower people, mainly women and the youth, in developing and sustaining their businesses. Our department is also passionate about providing skills to unemployed youth, as a measure to address the scourge of unemployment in our country.”
The gathering was in line with the National Imbizo Focus Week, aimed at promoting skills development and career and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for youth.
It was also intended to reignite people’s confidence in the economy and the government’s job-creation efforts.
Tshwane member of the mayoral committee for economic development Randall Williams said tourism made a significant contribution to job creation, and was a driver of socio-economic growth and sustainable development.
“In an effort to ensure that tourism yields benefits, we as the City are reorganising our Tourism Division to focus on the sectors we believe can yield more positive results,” he said.
At the meeting, lack of information about opportunities in the tourism sector, and not having the requisite know-how to run a business, were identified among the challenges facing would-be entrepreneurs in townships.
Oupa Mabatha, who has opened a guest house, was happy that his hospitality business would soon be graded by professionals. Thabethe said: “Grading gives tourists an assurance that the place is safe and clean.”