Hansard: NCOP: Unrevised Hansard
House: National Council of Provinces
Date of Meeting: 24 May 2017
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
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WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2017
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
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The Council met at 14:02.
The House Chairperson: International Relations and Members Support
took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence
for prayers or meditation.
APPROPRIATION BILL
Debate on Budget Vote no 33: Tourism
The MINISTER OF TOURISM: Hon House Chairperson, Chairperson of the
select committee, hon Makue, hon members of the House and our guests
here, today, good afternoon. Standing here, on the eve of Africa
Day, where we celebrate our unity in diversity and just came from a
very successful rebranded Tourism Indaba 2017, which is Africa‟s
Travel Show - a Pan African Show that brings the world together to
experience at a one-stop-shop, the best of what Africa offers.
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Congratulations to SA Tourism for staging such a spectacular homegrown event in partnership with the City of eThekwini and the
province of KwaZulu-Natal. We further congratulate KwaZulu-Natal and
the City of eThekwini to be the home of this Africa‟s Premier
Leisure Travel Show for the next five years.
The President‟s opening of this event gave impetus and demonstrated
South African‟s leadership in tourism development and its commitment
to support and appreciate the role tourism play in the economy of
the country. He outlined how critical it is in the 4th industrial
revolution, which may threaten traditional jobs, tourism‟s labour
absorptions and capacity that remains a greater weapon against
unemployment. Tourism has become a sector of hope and opportunity
for our people and a true instrument of social cohesion that assists
us to value and understand one another. 21 African countries had a
one-stop-shop to showcase a diversity of exquisite offerings to
hosted world buyers.
A platform was also created for 90 SMMEs to be part of a network
that exposed them to international markets - a world on their
doorstep was the highlight of the event. Tourism in SA is on the
rise. Our approach to grow tourism is informed by the drive for
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inclusive growth. Growth and resilience of this sector presents a
game-changer to the lives of our people for the better.
President Zuma contextualised our approach to radical economic
transformation at the opening of this giant Indaba show as a
programme that seeks to correct the painful history of our country
where black majority was excluded from meaningful participation,
ownership and control of our economy.
We are moving from a positive 13% growth in international arrivals
in 2016, although February 2017, showed a slight decline in both
international and domestic tourists. We are presented with an
opportunity to integrate as government, industry and communities to
take advantage of what we have continued to do and a sought after
destination of the world. We are talking about South Africa and
Africa as a whole. We need robust and effective mechanisms to tap on
the R1,2 billion global tourist arrivals. As Africa, we are still at
5% of tourists arrivals, which totals R58 million.
As we present our R2,1 billion Budget 2017, we are reviewing the
National Tourism Sector Strategy. The new draft enhances efforts for
inclusive growth through radical economic transformation. We are
using its five pillars: Firstly, effective marketing; secondly,
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facilitating ease of access; thirdly, visitor experience; fourthly,
destination management practices; and lastly, the broad-based
benefits. The process is out for public consultation, our target is
to finalise and present to Cabinet by July 2017.
Growth in Tourism means that prospects for growth and transforming
our economy are significantly enhanced. This presents a greater
opportunity for integration with the nine-point plan so that we are
not sector specific. We are targeting areas of agriculture and agro
processing, manufacturing, SMMEs development, etc, with the drive to
open a space for broader participation by our people. To build on
this growth, the new strategy aims to achieve 200% growth in our
direct contribution to the 2015 figure of R118 billion up to
R302 billion in 2026. The indirect contribution will be just under
R1 trillion at R941 billion from the 2015 figure of R375 billion.
We will also add 300 000 more jobs to bring direct employment to
1 million from the 700 000 figure in 2015. This will bring indirect
employment to tourism figures of about R2,26 million. The potential
is there, Africa presents the greatest platform, as reiterated at
the World Economic Forum, WEF, Africa in Durban. Africa‟s economies
should consider diversifying from commodities to services such as
tourism in the light of challenges facing traditional industries.
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We want to utilise our budget to ensure tourism rises and that
people of South Africa rise with it. This is in line with the UN
Declaration of 2017 as the year for sustainable tourism development.
It calls for the mobilisation of the industry, its stakeholders,
partners from national, provincial and local government,
international organisations and the private sector to work together
towards the development and promotion of tourism that is
economically beneficial, environmentally friendly, socially
equitable and culturally responsive.
Our targeted broad areas of activity to promote leisure and business
tourism are further enhanced by bringing in and highlighting culture
and heritage into selling points for our offerings. This brings to
the fore people-to-people relations and resonates well with the
United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, principle, which
says „Travel, Enjoy, and Respect‟.
Our provinces continue to offer unique experiences and are a haven
of new attractions located in rural, township and urban areas. They
present such experiences with regard to cultural and heritage and
they are also positioned strategically along the coast to benefit
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more on the coastal tourism and therefore the potential is greater
for development.
These would constitute niches around which our interventions are
earmarked. Additional will have nodes that will be aligned to other
sectors development like, cultural festivals, international events
and oceans economy nodes that the country is working on. We want to
ensure that we develop SMMEs across the value chain around these
nodes and also attract investment into the respective areas.
Our department‟s restructuring is poised to monitor and continuously
assess if we meet our set targets. The monitoring has been enhanced
to ensure that we are able to monitor our SA Tourism. The modest
budget we have will be spent on areas that continue to assist in the
growth we need through effective implantation of plans tabled as
part of our APP, while we will be making interventions that will
ensure we have maximum immediate impact in others.
Our growth angles, targets first the value of travel and related
services consumed by organs of state, annually estimated at about
R10 billion. This presents a transformation lever through state
procurement we wish to unleash. Furthermore, government controls
allocation of other opportunities such as licensing of tour
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operators, gaming operations, duty-free stores, car rental parking
bays at strategic hubs, accommodation, and rental facilities at
state-owned facilities that are concessioned to operators. We will
work with partner departments to unlock this opportunity for
participation by our SMMEs. We are targeting 30% black ownership as
directed by the President of the country.
53% of our budget that goes to the SA Tourism is key as it is our
strategic intent to drive government imperatives through our entity.
These include contribution to job creation and inclusive growth. We
are pleased that their growth strategy called 5in5 focuses on
growing further our existing markets that continue to be key source
markets like, Europe, US, China and Africa, while also coming up
with new markets like, Middle East, Asia and Iran. These new markets
are earmarked to allow and support our new entrants to enter and
grow.
For the nine provinces, as part of the radical economic
transformation, new experiences will be unleashed, building on new
products like the Hidden gems that were showcased at Indaba 2017.
Township tourism, homestays, urban tourism, rural tourism, social
tourism, and community tourism, and businesses across the value
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chain products and experiences constitute the approach we want to
follow and these products include budget resort products.
To deal with issues of seasonality, a broad approach to source
markets that will be targeted flow into our space. We are also
utilising the 10% contribution of business events in the total GDP
of what we are contributing. We are further growing our supply chain
within their space for the small players. Our BBBEE Charter Council
has come up with a very important plan.
We are targeting to utilise and implement this plan in order to
target our youth and women and interventions that we also deal with
especially around youth. The Deputy Minister, hon Thabethe, will
outline on our skills development.
Access to funding for small, medium and macro enterprises is often a
challenge. It retards growth, expansion of existing products and
participation by our communities as it is difficult to obtain
operational finance. In recognition of this challenge and with the
support of the National Treasury, we have entered into partnership
with National Empowerment Fund, NEF, to establish a Transformation
Fund. It‟s a combination of grant funding, which will be used to
drive sector transformation and unlock capital investment in
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tourism. This fund is currently capitalised to an amount of
R120 million with the aim of building it to R360 million in the
medium-term. Every rand from the department is matched by R2,00 from
NEF; and will be operational from the second quarter of the 2017-18
financial year.
We will host a national conference on transformation in the 3rd
quarter of this year intended to improve compliance and commitment
to an inclusive tourism economy. Our Business tourism continues to
grow and contribute meaningfully in our tourism growth. Currently
events are around international convention centres and Metros, we
intend to stretch those outwardly to reach smaller towns in order to
expand the impact.
The work of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, TBCSA, will
have to be proactive and reach to other experiences in the value
chain. Our domestic tourism strategy with the ring-fenced
R100 million for three years is poised to extend to strategic use of
events as anchors to drive mobility. We are confident that this will
ignite a lot of activities in the province because they host both
local and international events.
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The Deputy Minister will also elaborate on our approach in growing
our SMMEs to be in the value chain because we want to get back into
the trajectory of ensuring that tourism creates industrialists.
Our campaign “WE DO TOURISM” is glue to us, working together,
calling upon members and the society and every person in South
Africa to do tourism with us. We want move South Africa forward to a
better Africa and a better world. I thank you.
Mr E MAKUE: Hon Chairperson and hon members, members of the
provincial executive committees who are present here, hon Minister,
Thokozile Xasa and hon Deputy Minister, Elizabeth Thabethe, the
Director-General of the national Department of Tourism, Mr Victor
Tharage and the members of the executive team, the leadership of SA
Tourism, the mandate of the national Department of Tourism, as
outlined in the Tourism Act, Act 3 of 2014, is to promote growth and
development of the tourism sector.
Based on the presentation of its Annual Performance Plan and budget
that was presented to the select committee on May 2017, it is
apparent that the national Department of Tourism is on course in
realising its mandate. Chairperson, allow me to again congratulate
and convey our best wishes to Minister Xasa and Deputy Minister
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Thabethe in their recent appointments as political heads in the
national Department of Tourism. It is generally very easy to support
a winning team.
My motivation of support for this Budget Vote is informed by an
impact analysis of the vote which amongst others includes: Firstly,
the policy impact of the vote on the targeted groups; implementation
of the mandate of the department; how equity is advanced by the
Budget Vote; how the principles of economic growth and
redistribution are advanced by the vote; how the vote addresses very
important challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality; the
fact that the Budget Vote reflects the enhancement of gender equity
as an assessment tool; and finally, that the vote accommodates
careful and scientific interpretation of the shifts that are taking
place in the Department of Tourism and motivates why those shifts
are happening.
Hon members, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation‟s
approach augers well with the tourism vision of this ANC-led
government of the Republic of SA. This democratic government has
adopted an economic approach that considers tourism as a strategic
economic sector with the potential for creating labour intensive,
sustainable and decent jobs. Other than creating decent and
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sustainable jobs as a sector, the sector should also make a
contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. We note with
appreciation that indeed, the national Department of Tourism is
doing its part in contributing to the GDP.
These achievements have been made through streamlining and
entrenching the socioeconomic value chain of the sector in the
National Development Plan, NDP. Tourism is a common thread that runs
through various chapters of the NDP, which envisions the sector as a
major source of revenue and employment for the country through the
investment in infrastructure, product and service development.
Tourism is therefore considered as an inclusive economic sector that
has potential to realise equitable economic development,
particularly in rural areas, as it will become apparent in the focus
that will be placed on SMMEs in rural areas in the contributions by
members in this Budget Vote debate. As such, the tourism sector has
immense potential of inclusive economic development also through the
implementation of the Tourism BBBEE Sector Codes and conceptualising
high-impact projects that will foster radical economic
transformation. I will soon refer to some of these projects.
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For us, as deployees of our provincial legislatures, the assertions
made above are exemplified by the following interventions made by
the National Empowerment Fund in partnership with the national
Department of Tourism as well as the SA Tourism. However, these
interventions also highlight the ANCs practical application of
intergovernmental relations and co-operation.
The National Empowerment Fund and the national Department of Tourism
are co-operatively, actively and successfully engaged to grow
tourism provincially, nationally, within the continent and
internationally. Since inception, the National Empowerment Fund has
invested in excess of R100 million within the booming tourism
industry accommodation facilities. Among the NEF-funded portfolio
showcased in the tourism sector is the Tala Private Game Reserve.
The Tala Private Game Reserve is located in Camperdown in the hills
of a peaceful farming community, close to the bustling city of
Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This game reserve is home to more than 380
bird species, as well as big game like Rhino, Kudu, Hippo, Giraffe
and the rare Sable Antelope. Plant species found in this area
include the Fiery Aloe, the imposing Euphorbia and fragrant the Wild
Sage.
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South Africa‟s scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate,
cultural diversity and reputation for delivering value for money
have made it one of the world‟s fastest growing leisure and business
travel destinations. The recently-released World Economic Forum
Tourism Competitive Index ranks South Africa as number one in the
continent ahead of traditional powerhouses like Kenya, Tanzania and
Cape Verde. Overall, South Africa is 48 out of 141countries.
Considering the APP, we are seeing the potential within national
tourism to take us to even higher ground. The second project that I
want to mention is Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. The Rhino Ridge Safari
Lodge was established to protect the previously-endangered white
rhino now numbering 1 000 in the 96 000 hectares of indigenous land.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is a triumph of conservation efforts. The unique
and exclusive luxury at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge offers exceptional
safari experiences in the heart of Big 5 territory.
The third one is Jozini Tiger Lodge which is also situated in the
heart of the Zulu Kingdom with its rich heritage and untamed natural
beauty. Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa is the perfect luxury getaway in
the heart of nature.
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We then have the Royal Thonga Safari Lodge which is the culmination
of a dream of the local community, private investors and the Royal
Tembe Development Foundation to create a natural paradise for
visitors to this unique reserve. The lodge is architecturally
designed to emulate the local Tonga building style, and each of the
14 chalets are uniquely positioned to offer guests total privacy and
luxurious comfort within a sand forest in the Tembe Elephant Park.
The next provincial development is the Park Inn in Polokwane; a new
hotel that has received R45 million business loan from the National
Empowerment Fund. The hotel is set to open in Polokwane, Limpopo
during the last quarter of this year. The Park Inn by Radisson
Polokwane is set to usher in a new era of business and leisure
tourism in the province of Limpopo.
Chairperson, because of time constraints I will not mention the
detail in other provinces but I must mention, hon Faber, that the
Northern Cape has become a destination attracting visitors to real
culture; real people; and real nature. [Applause.] We also have
Vilakazi Street in Soweto which is a major success in attracting
tourists. Robben Island, Table Mountain as well as the sand and sea
of the Western Cape have become notorious for attracting tourists
from all over the country, continent and the world.
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The national Department of Tourism is looking at building and
growing tourism on these examples and others to benefit the
continent and our country. The national Department of Tourism again,
as the Minister said, hosted the 35th Tourism Indaba 2017 that
started on 16 May 2017, with thousands of exhibitors, travelers,
buyers, and scores of visitors from all over the continent and the
rest of the world. This was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli
International Convention Centre in Durban.
The national Tourism Indaba exposed investees to the continent‟s top
travellers. The Indaba is Africa‟s top tourism trade show that
brings together more than 7 000 delegates that represent the top
tourism products, not only of South Africa, but in Africa because we
recognise how we are part of the potential on this great continent.
All rational members of this House regard tourism as a modern-day
engine of growth and as one of the largest industries globally.
I have also looked at the National Strategic Plan 2016-2022 tabled
by the SA Tourism and also its Annual Performance Plan for the 201718 financial year. The new strategic plan is comprehensive and takes
into account the recommendations made by the Ministerial Review
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Committee on SA Tourism. The SA Tourism has undergone an
organisational review, hence the new strategic plan.
A number of improvements were observed in the strategic documents
presented to the select committee. The select committee is however
concerned that the budget appropriated to Vote 33: Tourism is not
sufficient to fulfil the mandate of tourism in the country. The
Minister of Tourism, hon Xasa is therefore urged to work closely
with all the other stakeholders to explore the possibility of a
budget increase.
The reason why I spent all this time on the projects of the National
Empowerment Fund indicates and emphasise what potential is located
within such intergovernmental co-operation. It is my privilege to
join the national Department of Tourism as a winning team in
presenting this Budget Vote 33 for approval and support by the NCOP.
I thank you for this privilege. [Applause.]
Mr W F FABER: Chairperson, I would like to start off by
congratulating Mr Derek Hanekom, the former Minister of Tourism, and
his team on the department‟s performance in the last financial year.
As we know, politically they had a tough time making this department
work and performing the way it did.
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The resolution taken by Minister Gigaba on travel facilitation that
necessitated that minors – children of tourists visiting from abroad
– should travel with unabridged birth certificates, as well as other
visa regulations, was hurting the South African tourism industry
tremendously. South Africa literally lost millions in revenue, not
even mentioning the thousands of jobs that could have been created.
We are looking forward to the new Minister of Home Affairs rolling
out the biometric system swiftly at our country‟s borders, with
enough properly trained staff so that we don‟t find ourselves in the
same position as last year when hundreds of passengers stood in
queues at O R Tambo because the staff component was not trained well
enough to operate the new system. Of great importance will be the
introduction of new electronic visas, which has been in the pipeline
for a while now and should be introduced sooner rather than later to
speed up the process. We hope that the new Minister takes this up
with the Minister of Home Affairs.
We had more than 10 000 tourists turned away at international
airports abroad as they wanted to board to South Africa – this
because of the full, unabridged birth certificate regulation for
children. Today we know that Minister Gigaba made the wrong decision
by implementing these regulations regarding unabridged birth
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certificates, as the movement of children across borders was based
on an incorrect figure of child trafficking in newspaper articles a
few years ago. Minister, it is now time that you discuss this with
the new Minister of Home Affairs to assist with growth in our
tourism industry. It is commonly known that for every 12 tourists
visiting South Africa, at least one job is created. The tourism
growth rate between 2014 and 2016 on international arrivals was just
2,6%, compared to the global average of 3,9%.
It thus came as a shock recently when President Zuma was reckless
enough to fire some of his best Ministers, such as Pravin Gordhan
and Derek Hanekom, given that the latter had been able to grow
tourism whilst still being able to make his department work amid the
ongoing turmoil within the ANC – something we are all aware of.
Minister, we hope that you will follow in former Minister Hanekom‟s
footsteps and do exactly the same.
Tourism and travel play a vital role in our economy and have, in
recent years, surpassed the GDP income of the mining industry in
South Africa, totalling 9,3%. To keep the momentum going in a slowgrowing global economy, we have to put emphasis on how we in South
Africa can help with the creation of thousands of jobs in our
tourism sector.
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With all the global migration safety measures, security becomes
tighter globally. Tourists want to feel safe and will gladly visit
countries with attractions that can provide such conditions to have
a relaxing time. It has been proven that there is a clear
psychological effect on tourists when they travel to a region where
they do not feel safe. We see that a country like Tanzania‟s tourism
contribution to our GDP is over 17%, and we are still under 10%.
This leaves us behind whilst competing for a piece of the cake on
the African continent.
On a recent visit to Singapore, we learnt some valuable lessons from
their department of tourism on further enlarging the portion of
small businesses in the tourism industry. One of the new ideas that
seemed to take off quite well is a programme where entrepreneurs
advertise the Singapore experience by using their own properties.
This allows visitors to go and stay – at a good rate – at the
entrepreneur‟s home and experience the authentic Singapore
lifestyle. This entrepreneur becomes like a tour guide and takes the
tourist to all the main tourist attractions. Most importantly, this
gives the visitor an experience of living in such a country.
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I believe that in our diverse country with many cultural
experiences, it can become a great way for informal tourism to grow
enormously. We know that the future of economies lies in the hands
small business operators being successful, which can create
thousands of jobs, as hon Makue said. The DA supports the Tourism
Incentive Programme as a catalyst to create jobs. My belief is that
we should train small business entrepreneurs who want to enter the
tourism industry as tour guides, as this will give them the tools to
operate in the same manner as those referred to in the Singapore
example. In the more rural areas, these small businesses can expand
tourism and become a new income generator in South Africa.
AirBnB has shown that a new type of accommodation market has been
established and is a contender to become a big role player in the
tourism industry. We have to start thinking outside the box to give
thousands of unemployed people the opportunity to enter the tourism
market without laying out millions on single ventures that can only
benefit a few, mostly connected, individuals. The DA‟s policy on
transformation also includes the enhancement of workforce
capabilities to ensure that our people have the right skills with
training to benefit the industry‟s growth.
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As the NCOP, we do oversight all over South Africa to see whether
service delivery takes place and the taxpayer‟s money is spent
responsibly. Recently, we went to Mpumalanga as part of a committee
oversight visit and visited the Zithabiseni Resort and Conference
Centre, which was developed around a hot spring in the 1960s, then
known as Die Bron. It was run by the KwaNdebele government from 1986
to 1994, when the resort was taken over by the Mpumalanga
government. Since then, this resort has had a few owners, with
millions spent to revamp and maintain it until it was taken over by
the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment and
Tourism. As Mpumalanga is ranked fourth in terms of international
tourist arrivals, we would think that such a resort would be well
marketed and maintained to create jobs and revenue. A total of
R43,5 million was invested in the renovation of 80 chalets and
upgrading of 7 km of access road to this resort.
The condition of the buildings during our oversight visit was
shocking, to say the least. The thatched roofs of the buildings have
not been maintained from 1994. This is what one of the guides told
me. If it has to be redone, it would cost government millions. The
access road, which was paid for a few years ago, is in poor
condition. When asking about game drives as a possible marketing
tool for this resort, I was told there were no longer any existing
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roads in the game reserve. This entire resort is in a dire state of
disrepair.
We had a chance to sit in the conference room and get an overview of
the resort and its activities, but when question time came up, our
committee chair, hon Makue, unfortunately refused me the right to
ask questions about the resort. Perhaps he could tell the House
today – unfortunately, he has already spoken – why this important
part of oversight, asking questions to the department, was denied to
me.
With 120 people employed and almost no maintenance, the resort comes
to an annual cost of over R22 million to the Department of Tourism.
With so many people visiting the province, this resort should
actually have been the pinnacle of tourism through the
implementation of partnerships with the private sector. I believe
this is now in the pipeline. Perhaps the department has to explain
how a once vibrant resort came to such an abrupt end.
Afrikaans:
Dan skryf ‟n toeris van die Noord-Kaap – dis waar ons vandaan kom,
en ek sien Charel is nou hier, so hy sal weet – mnr Hendrik Havenga
die volgende: Ek wil my bittere teleurstelling hier vir julle
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deurgee. Die samevloeiing was een groot skok. Die toegangshek is
vervalle, uitsigpunte is toegegroei met hoë bloekombome, toilette
bestaan amper nie – alles vieslik. My punt: Douglas is ‟n
toeristebestemming as gevolg van dié uitkykpunt en die magtige Vaalen Oranjerivier. Die gasvryheidsbedryf is afhanklik van toerisme,
maar glo my, ‟n traak-my-nie-agtige houding is te bespeur. As
toeriste, het ons 1 450 km gery om dit te beleef, maar dit sien my
nooit weer nie. Ek was selfs te geskok om foto‟s te neem.
Minister, die tipe agteruitgang van ons staat se toeristeaantreklikhede skets nie ‟n mooi prentjie nie. In teenstelling met
die bogenoemde het privaat eienaars en instansies die gaping geneem
en pragtige infrastruktuur geskep wat duisende toeriste lok en ‟n
inkomste vir die land genereer. Ons moet in gedagte hou dat die
privaatsektor ‟n groot skepper van werk is in die toerismebedryf en
dat die staat ‟n groot rol sal moet begin speel om ondersteuning aan
dié sektor te bied.
English:
Lastly, tourism is all about people travelling and enjoying
experiences. Let us start by being brand ambassadors for our
provinces by marketing them worldwide so that the people in our poor
communities who need jobs can benefit most from this. I thank you.
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Ms B T MATHEVULA: Chairperson, the EFF rejects Budget Vote 33 on
Tourism. The Department of Tourism has made an important role to
play in promoting and supporting the growth and development of an
equitable, competitive, and unsustainable tourist sector in order to
enhance economic and social development in this country. Despite
being 23 years since the first democratic elections, the tourism
industry remains largely untransformed and contributes to
perpetuating the ownership patterns of the economy inherited by
apartheid. The reality is that the mainstream tourism industries,
which rely heavily on access to capital; the restaurant and tour
guide industry; land; game reserves, wine farms and property such as
hotels is largely controlled by the white majority. The only purpose
the majority of blacks in this country‟s service is to be cheap,
exploitable labour who works as waiters, kitchen staff, drivers,
chefs, cleaners, tour guides and gardeners. These workers often work
long hours, without getting overtime; earn below minimum wage; are
not unionised, can be fired on the spot and waiters often earn tips
and no salary.
There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the industry is not
properly regulated and the regulations that do not exist are not
properly enforced. Secondly, many of those who work in the tourism
industry are our brothers and sisters from other African countries
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who are overly exploited because they cannot turn to the law to
protect them.
As the EFF we are therefore, proposing a minimum wage of R4 500 for
the tourism industry. The necessary tools must be put in place to
enforce this as well as to ensure that overtime is paid and workers
are protected from unfair dismissals and general exploitation.
A weakness in our tourism industry is that it mainly focuses on
international tourists which is within a high income bracket, while
the importance of this cannot be denied as it creates a certain
number of jobs and brings in foreign currency ... [Interjections.]
Ms L C DLAMINI: [Laughter.] Chairperson, is it allowed that when a
member is debating says „ahh?‟ ... [Laughter.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: That is not a
point of order.
Ms B T Mathevula: The outcomes of such an approach would mean a
tourism industry which is more self-sufficient, less dependent on
other countries having a strong economy and us having a weak rand,
is more likely to operate year long instead of being seasonal.
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In order to transform the tourism industry and make it more
recognised at the same time requires creativity and imagination.
Since we know that the ANC lacks both, we will give examples of
ideas which will help meet these two objectives. The department
should test a worker controlled co-operative for either a game
reserve; restaurant or wine estate. The success of such a cooperative could be a new model of ownership in the tourism industry.
The department can develop many sites of historical and cultural
significance to South Africans such as the gravesites of such brave
leaders as Chief Maqoma. The department should work with
municipalities in areas which will attract tourism, so that these
areas are sustainable and create jobs like the Wild Coast on the
Namakwa District Municipality which has its world famous flower
season.
Until the department takes the necessary steps to transform the
tourism industry and make it more diverse in its targeted market the
EFF will reject the tourism budget.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM (Ms E Thabethe): Chairperson of the
NCOP, hon Minister of Tourism the director-general, the dignitaries
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present, officials, guests in the gallery, hon members the success
of tourism in our country depends on the warmth and capabilities of
our people, along with our unique attractions, infrastructure,
cultural and heritage sites and on our natural assets as well.
We are using our budget to train and develop our people, and to
develop enterprises, putting tourism on a path of inclusive
transformative growth. Enterprises development is one of those that
I think we are promoting, but as well when tourism benefits
communities in visible and tangible ways it takes on a new value and
meaning for that community. They begin to own tourism, and they can
say we do tourism with confidence. As this programme was launched
during the Indaba as indicated by the Minister, the COO, it is also
here to make sure that it can be able to make this programme a good
programme and I think all of us in this House support it. Because if
we get more tourists it means that we will be able to create more
jobs but also domestic tourism must be supported.
As well, last year October, we have established two incubators in
Pilanesberg and in March this year at Manyeleti in Mpumalanga. We
are also going to open one incubator later and support many
programmes that are supporting tourism, especially tourism in terms
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of rural areas and townships as per the 10 Point Plan unveiled by
the President.
About 400 enterprises across all our provinces are now benefitting
from support and we are really making sure that mentoring, coaching,
market access, training and technical assistance is given.
We have implemented international market access programme for Small,
Medium and Micro Enterprises, SMMEs and also supported 90 SMMEs, to
participate at the 2017 Tourism Indaba, as part of the Hidden Gems
programme that is assisting the previously disadvantaged to make
sure that they can be taken to training as well as coaching and at
the end of the day they can be good entrepreneurs that will be able
to create jobs. We are already doing this work. So, hon Faber, if
you say that we train SMMEs, we are already doing it, and they were
at the Indaba. Unfortunately, you were not there. You were here
doing work, but you must research properly before you come and
attack us. Those 90 come from the previously disadvantaged and they
were given an opportunity by this department. Also at the gallery
here today, we have got some of those that we trained in terms of
the beach; the Thirst Beach stewards. Some of them are doing deep
diving; life style swimming, they are here at the gallery. They are
with us. We are not talking or just saying we are going to do. I am
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sure ... [Interjections.] ... as well as the hon member from the
EFF, you must really be able to know that you are not perpetrating
this industry. You are assisting, because if some of those that are
here at the gallery can tell you their story, you will be able to
know that we are not dumb sucking. They are here as an example of
the money that we have already spent. Some of them are trained chefs
... [Inaudible.] ... basis but they are also international
professional chefs. One of the young ladies Mbhele, who was with us
in the National Assembly yesterday, she is now a better person. She
has even bought her mother a house. So, this is one the things of
what we are doing, not what we are dreaming to do. [Interjections.]
Some of you here are daydreamers really! I am surprised. Where do
you come from if you still talking about tourist guides? We have
trained a lot of them. Some of them are already doing the work. Go
and visit ... it means yourself as the member of Parliament Ms
Mathevhula you have never been to these areas. You are just talking
because you want to attack us. Make your research and come here with
facts and we will be able to assist you.
Hon Faber, the same with you. You said we must support SMMEs in
tourism. I agree with you. I was here in this House three years ago
and I said that you closed down the red door for SMMEs. The ANC led
government opened up the Small Enterprise Development Agency, Seda,
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in all those places that you closed, but you come here and grand
stand and say that we must support SMMEs. We are already supporting
the SMMEs. We are already supporting even in tourism because as I
have said that 90 of those are different gems. Go to Soweto and
everywhere. Some of them are doing a lot of tour guides that we have
trained internationally, etc. Then you must not come here and tell
us that we are not doing that. You were at the portfolio committee.
You heard what all of us have said. So, please do research of what
we do. We are very happy that for the first time, the President has
appointed the first black woman to lead this Department of Tourism.
It used to be men before, so we are very happy. Minister, we are
going to support you. We are going to make sure that you win in this
department so that we can be able to prove to some of those who
think that we do not know what we are doing.
The National Tourism Careers Expo, NTCE, is there. We are going to
... over 6000 learners, 451 educators and 50 exhibitors took part in
last year‟s expo. This year again we are going to do that.
In the Department‟s National Youth Chefs Training Programme, last
year, 470 learners graduated with a diploma; an advanced diploma,
and 405 of these learners were women. This financial year 577
learners will be enrolled again.
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In the Sommelier programme, 243 young learners graduated last year
and 187 were women. This year 300 additional youth are enrolled in
this programme, which gives hospitality skills and job
opportunities. Last year, 2 654 youth ... I listened to you, stop
hauling so that you can hear and talk facts after that so that you
cannot here stand ... [Interjections.] ... elections are in 2019,
not 2017.
The National Certificate in Food and Beverages at NQF level 4 and
level 5, we have given all of those and we the department will
continue to do that in the Food Safety Programme and we are going to
excel in some of these. At Isimangaliso we have trained 60 tour
guides. So, member of the EFF, if you say tour guides must be
trained I don‟t know what you are talking about because we have ...
[Inaudible.] them ... [Interjections.]
Mr W F Faber: Chairperson, on this stance I would like to know if
the Deputy Minister would take a question?
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM: Yes.
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Mr W F Faber: I would like to know if the Deputy Minister listened
when I said I want to congratulate the previous Minister and his
team for the good performance. If she could clear that because this
is what I have said and it seems she did not hear that. Thank you
Chair.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Sir, I
don‟t think that is a question.
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM (Ms E Thabethe): Chairperson, I think
the member must also listen to himself when he speaks here unless it
was a spook talking, but it was him who was talking. I don‟t
understand what is it that he is talking about?
We have also done good work in terms of greening in the tourism
sector. We have also managed to do work at the Robben Island and we
were able to make sure that; that particular facility which is a
museum is also dealt with in terms of the solar supply. We are also
able to work with departments like the arts and culture, public
works and the Robben Island and making sure that we can continue.
Even if you can haul or hum this is what has happened. We have done
this work and will continue to do this programme with this budget
because the budget is a tool that you implement your policy with hon
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Faber. So, even if you can haul 20 or 30 times, it won‟t change what
I am saying. It is just the fact that the ANC led government has
delivered the young people that are in the majority in terms of
unemployment. We have done that work. We have ... [Interjections.]
... yes, and Hon Makue, you said it all. It is what we presented at
the portfolio committee; even South African Tourism came and said
the same thing. So, I do not understand where is Mr Faber is taking
these points from. Unless, he always learn to daydream and then
comes here and confuse people because this is not true. There is a
lot that we have done and we will continue doing so.
Some of these students, you know - department has 64 students to
conduct research in partnership with five universities: 49 of these
were women, 35 were sponsored at honours level, 26 at master‟s and
three at doctorate level. Those are the students we have assisted in
PhD and seven in masters again on top of what I have told you.
So, as we close, there is a strong link between tourism and our
theme for Africa month: „The Year of O R Tambo; Building a better
Africa and a better world throughout Africa‟. Tourism has a great
potential to contribute to social development and we are going to do
it Minister, with the support of all of you of course. You know, you
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must just be honest and talk the truth because we have got them here
at the gallery.
Mr S SOMYO (Eastern Cape): Hon Chairperson, members of this House,
ladies and gentlemen, I bring you revolutionary greetings from the
beautiful province of the Eastern Cape, and adventure province and,
indeed, the home of legends.
The Eastern Cape, like the rest of South Africa, views the tourism
sector as one of the possible answers to the unemployment, poverty
and inequality that are still affecting our country, as we speak.
The latest tourism statistics indicate phenomenal growth in tourism
arrivals in South Africa, as indicated, with 5,8 million tourists
recorded between January and July 2016, an increase of 14,9%
compared to the same period last year.
Of the 8,9 million international arrivals to South Africa in 2015,
the Eastern Cape accounted for 3,4 million visitors. We have,
collectively, given tourists a taste of South African hospitality
and they are likely to come back for more. For that, we deserve a
round of applause. [Applause.]
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Through these arrivals, the tourism sector, especially the catering
and accommodation component of it, resulted in a growth of 1,4%,
which has further contributed to the overall 3,3% economic growth in
the South African economy. That 1,4% is a vindication of what the
G20 heads of state recognised in 2012: They identified tourism as a
driver of growth and development, a sector that has the potential to
spur on global economic recovery.
As a province, we have followed suit and identified tourism as one
of the six economic sectors that we are going to focus on in which
we have a comparative advantage to grow our economy and create job
opportunities. We are making decisive interventions as part of our
tourism strategy to transform the industry. For instance, through
government‟s procurement muscle, we are encouraging the use of bedand-breakfast accommodation by government employees, not only
because they offer affordable prices, but due to our desire to see
them grow and get better gradings.
We have also intervened decisively on the infrastructure front. We
invested over R400 million over the Medium-Term Expenditure
Framework, MTEF, period to upgrade access roads, many of which lead
to tourism establishments, especially in the former Transkei area of
our province. Our intervention in the Mthatha Airport upgrade is
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reaping phenomenal rewards. Airlines are starting to compete for the
route between Johannesburg and Mthatha, which is a gateway to the
jewel in our crown - the Wild Coast, leading to Port St Johns.
Just recently, we launched a progressive programme of introducing
black farmers into the game-farming industry as part of our
transformation agenda. So, in essence, the foundations of the past
have been shaken. New foundations have been laid to ensure the
influx of tourists our province deserves. All that we are asking
from product owners and tourism establishments is to ensure that
tourists experience service excellence of the highest standards from
the time they set foot in our airports until their departure, as
that will enhance the image of our country and province as a valuefor-money destination of choice. We must retain and grow the numbers
that we have in this highly competitive industry.
As a province, we aim to use the Eastern Cape Tourism Master Plan as
a roadmap for guiding all stakeholders in a concerted effort to grow
the industry in our province. The implementation of the master plan
will focus primarily on the following: improving local product
supply, access and service quality, particularly on rural and
community tourism; enhancing demand stimulation for domestic and
local markets; promoting signature events that are unique to the
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province; and strengthening existing, core international and new
emerging markets, including Africa.
Why not? Why, at this stage can‟t we support the call to make South
Africa a point of entry for an enjoyable experience for those who
come from afar? Scenic beauty is the life of the day. Our coastline
provides a soothing effect on the spirit of those who visit our
country and the province. Endless horizons give a deeper insight
into the ambience which is God-given nature.
Why can‟t we support it by saying that those who come must be
afforded the opportunity?
Once we master all these areas, we are likely to take our rightful
place as a leading destination of choice in the country. It is what
we deserve, taking into account our endowment with various
attractions. These include an unspoilt coastline, malaria-free
nature reserves, breathtaking landscapes and, more importantly, a
rich heritage, whether you are talking wars of resistance ...
Mr W F FABER: Chairperson, I would like to know if the hon MEC would
take a question.
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Mr S SOMYO (Eastern Cape): I will be ready after this.
We have an unspoilt coastline, malaria-free nature reserves,
breathtaking landscapes and, more importantly, a rich heritage,
whether you are talking wars of resistance against colonialism or
the struggle for freedom against apartheid. We are the full package
and, working together with the national Department of Tourism, we
will definitely do our best to realise the dreams of the current
generation and to ensure a lasting future for our time. Thank you
very much, Chair. [Applause.]
Mr M WILEY (Western Cape): Hon Chairperson, it is a pleasure to be
back in this House. Over I have heard the privilege to travel widely
and in a variety of forms. South, Central and Northern America,
Europe, Central and North Africa, obviously South Africa as well,
Asia and Australasia. My travels have at times been as a backpacker
with a mission using my own money or simply for leisure or for sport
competitions and occasionally on official business. The one thing I
have learnt from travel, especially when you travel alone and make
your own arrangements, is that it is as much about personal
confidence, as it is about getting to see and experience new things.
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With the exception of North Korea and other totalitarian states, no
two countries are the same; no two regions are the same. Each has
its own uniqueness and there is no small part because local
individuals and organisations drive local tourism and they in turn
try to maximise and promote the particular character of the region
they live in. They too exude confidence and a belief in what they
do. They round their surrounding. Vive la differ’nce! As the French
would say.
So it is here in the Western Cape that we see and experience things
that one would not find in other parts of the country – even in the
world. I will not go into detail about these provinces‟ unique
attributes, but suffice to say it makes up an attractive package.
Again, it is this confidence thing. And so the Western Cape has had
a pumper year. Numbers are up in virtually every index and generally
things have looked very positive.
As South African governments website acknowledges that the Western
Cape is South Africa‟s most developed tourism region where
investment and infrastructure support a key industry contributing to
job creation. Businesses which did not have confidence in the
regional and local government simply would not make their
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investments. They want to see their investments grow and give
returns. It is very simply economics.
Tourists feed off this confidence and are prepared to take long
flights and tiring road distances as a result. For this reason
tourism is the fastest growing industry in this province, employing
one in 10 persons and generating some R25 billion for the economy
last year. Nine out 10 top destinations experienced growth during
this year.
More and more new, diverse and unique attractions are being
developed as a result, like cycle sport tourism, the Madiba legacy
route, specialist food and drink reprocessing and repackaging across
the province to name but a few.
These sorts of sophisticated niche opportunities, together with
professional marketing, has seen the Western Cape expand its broad
offering and is now getting the highest visitorships to the Republic
of South Africa from America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
In 2014 the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, UK, and the
New York Times, both leading publications in their own right voted
Cape Town the top holiday destination. At a time when this province
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is desperate to offset the ravages of drought, it is an industry
like tourism that will keep the lights burning and the economy
turning over. Let us not forget that a rand or dollar or pound spent
in the Western Cape, or anywhere else in South Africa for that
matter, benefits the whole country because we have a centralised
fiscus.
However Chairperson, as much as confidence is a driver of positive
action, bad government, heavy handed bureaucracy and poor political
judgement are the poison that kills hope and enthusiasm. It breeds
negativity. I am speaking here in particular of the issue that my
colleague Faber has raised like the ham-handed and confusing
handling of the visa regulations as a case in point. Despite some
adjustments the governments‟ own agencies are so confused that some
13 000 people were turned away last year on route.
In other words, the prospective tourist had committed funds after
being given a green light to visit the country, only to be stopped
by authorities at the boarding gate, or worse, at customs in the
Republic of South Africa, all because of this confused
interpretation of its own regulations. If there was ever confidence
killer, it is this sort of action.
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Similarly, the significantly increasing growth in the passenger
liner industry needs ultra professional and competent staff to
process thousands of people in one day entry permits so that
passengers can disembark, take day trips and be back on board by
nightfall. Let us not miss this boat literally.
The world is way too advanced with technology for us to be using
antiquated systems to frustrate visitors who simply want to
experience South Africa for a few hours or a few days and then
return home.
Let us bear in mind that many of these refusals of individuals due
to inadequate birth certificates in all likelihood meant that whole
family groups were affected by that refusal.
Another area of concern relating to negative messaging was last
week‟s utterances by the Minister of Police who is reported to have
stated that the Muslims of Western Cape are at the root of global
Islamic terrorism. This sort of blanket condemnation of a whole
segment of society, without reassuring the public how the government
is dealing with it, is a cast iron method to undermine anyone‟s
confidence.
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Furthermore, such an allegation is hollow and baseless unless backed
up by fact and action. The examples used to justify this
irresponsible statement all related to Gauteng. So why cast the
Western Cape in such a negative light? Is this some sort of radical
economic transformation?
The hopelessness of the youth that the Minister speaks of, may well
be relevant to Gauteng and other provinces, but one finds it very
difficult to believe him when he targets the Western Cape, the most
politically diverse province with the best delivery and least money
wastage in the country, as per the Auditor-General, the Presidential
Monitoring directorate and any other barometer one may use.
Similarly, unemployment is significantly lower in the Western Cape,
and that includes the youth cohort many of whom are directly
involved in the tourism industry. Tourists are sensitive to
political utterances and state maladministration.
Especially the Minister of Police who, together with the President,
just last week roundly criticised his own department for poor
performance in dealing with major crimes and gang warfare in Cape
Town. This aspect of organised crime is now spilling over into
tourist hotspots like the entertainment industry. What is the
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Minister doing about these trends that is terrorising citizens on a
daily basis believe? A new definition for adventure terrorism.
The tragedy in Manchester over the last 48 hours should be a stark
reminder that government has a duty to ensure that safety of both
citizens and visitors alike.
Without a shred of doubt tourism in the UK as a whole will be
directly and drastically affected for some time to come, as was seen
during the Urban Terror campaign of the late 1990s and early 2000s
here in Cape Tow.
Can the Minister of Tourism assure the public that she is part of
the Security Cluster and that adequate tourist-centered security,
and information, will be put in place to maintain the confidence of
both the tourist as well as the investor in the industry?
Confidence, once lost, takes years to be restored.
I have two suggestions if I may for the Minister and I would like to
congratulate her on her new appointment. First of all I believe that
better management of the country‟s economy under the management of
the Minister of Finance to ensure that the budget cuts in the
tourism sector do not hamper growth in this industry. This directly
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affects business tourism which is where the ground roots of foreign
investment deals are laid.
Secondly, Minister, I really would ask that you encourage the
responsible Minister to do away with the visa regulations which
require travellers to be in possession of unabridged birth
certificates by minors. You may remember that ministerial
responsibilities for curbing child trafficking rests with the
Ministry of Police, as with most other countries in the world. I
thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: Madam Chair, over the years, we have been sitting
in this fifth democratic Parliament. I always regarded hon Wiley as
really an honest. I am really persuaded to change my thoughts around
him. He has become so politically bankrupt and also caught in a
politically deceptive home called the DA.
President Nelson Mandela, reading his inaugural speech in 1994 has
this to say, and I quote, “The sun shall never set on so glorious a
human achievement.” When he made this statement, and the achievement
that he made a reference to, he made such referring to a people of
South Africa‟s achievement led by the ANC into the new democracy.
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The theory of revolution has always been that the revolutionaries
shall ascend power. Once they have ascended power, they shall use
the state power to transform the downtrodden majority from the
bondage of poverty and all other forms of oppression. According to
our reading of the annual performance plans, APPs, and the budget
that the department would have presented to the committee, our
reading is that the department is hard at work trying to do just
that: To eradicate poverty; to transform society; and to liberate
the oppressed masses of this country so that they can also enjoy the
fruits of new democracy.
Madam Minister, you made reference to the fourth industrial
revolution that will very much impact, like other industries, into
this industry too. That again is commendable on our part because we
think you are very much for the future and you will do so in terms
of your strategic plans as you plan for this sector as a department,
going forward. The tourism sector is not yet transformed. Your
commitment to the 30% ... [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Hon Mthimunye,
please take your seat. Hon Essack!
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Mr F ESSACK: I am raising a point of order through you, Chairperson.
Seeing that the speaker on podium is delving in the past: Can I ask
with your permission if he would take a question?
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Ntate
Mthimunye, will you take a question?
Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: I have taken many questions from Comrade Mzala; I
am not prepared to take one now.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: He is not
taking a question, Ntate Essack. Please, sit down.
Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: The 30% ring fencing for the B-BBEE sector in this
particular tourism sector is also commendable on our part, and we
would like to motivate you to implement such without any fear or
favour. Madam Chair, hon Faber chooses to do congratulations at this
particular platform for the former Minister. I think this is really
politically unscrupulous to say the least. It is aimed at polarising
the ANC ...
Mr W F FABER: Chairperson, on a point of clarity: The speaker does
not ... [Interjections.]
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The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Order,
members! What is your point of clarity?
Mr W F FABER: Chairperson, the speaker is saying that mentioned the
previous Minister. I said, “The Minister, the previous Minister and
his team ...”
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Thank you,
sir. You have clarified yourself. This is not a point of order and
in future I will not take your point of clarity because I don‟t
actually have it. Ntate Mthimunye, please continue.
Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: It is a politically unscrupulous statement or
token of appreciation, because it stops short deliberately of
congratulating the new Ministry, so as to polarise the ANC. Madam
Chair, the sun shall never set on so glorious a people – Nelson
Mandela said.
Zithabiseni Holiday Resort in Mpumalanga is currently put on tender
for new investment in the form of public-private partnerships, PPPs.
Can I share information with hon Faber, that the department is
actually adjudicating the tenders for the new investors in that
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particular area already? That is done in the interest of revamping
the resources.
I think if I were you, I would accept that this endeavour is made in
the interest of actually revamping the property and also making it
commercially viable in the interest of the tourism industry. But, to
choose the negative side of it and ignore the positive, to me
amounts to selective amnesia.
Hon Mathevula, you are typical rejectionists; rejecting everything
under the sun. If you are not careful, you are likely to reject
yourself to political death. When you die politically, may your soul
not rest peace? Madam Chair ... [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Hon Mthimunye,
please take your seat. Hon Essack?
Mr F ESSACK: Hon Chairperson, with due respect ...
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Hon Mthimunye,
will you take a question?
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Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: Madam Chair, Mzala and I are good friends from one
province, and we always engage on issues. We can engage separate
from this seating. [Interjections.]
Siswati:
Mama, ngiyakucela maan….... [Interjections.] Hawu Mzito ......
[Interjections.]
IsiXhosa:
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES: Uyala
tata..... [Interjections.]
English:
Please take your seat. No, he is refusing. Please take your seat.
Mr S G MTHIMUNYE: Hon Chair, the ANC policy states that we should
work towards the transformation of ownership and broad-based
empowerment in the tourism sector to ensure that black South
Africans secure increased opportunities to fully participate in this
important economic growth sector. This must be done without being
apologetic to monopoly capital to ensure the dream of that people‟s
icon. It is be produced by our revolution and politically polished
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by the ANC itself: That the sun shall never set on so a glorious a
human achievement.
Hon Minister, we need to congratulate you and your deputy on your
new appointment as a committee and actually as members of the ANC
serving in that particular committee. We want to give you a present,
hon Minister and your deputy. With that present we are giving to
you, it is to pledge our full support to Budget Vote No 33 on
Tourism. We hope that you will actually implement it without any
intimidation whatsoever from the opposition because their interest
is not in the people that we are serving. Their interest is on white
monopoly capital. I say so without being apologetic.
Can we also congratulate Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality for
being awarded yet another term of five years to be host of the
Tourism Indaba after having hosted it for the past 25 years?
[Applause.] Thank you very much, hon Chair. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF TOURISM: Hon Chair, first and foremost it is
important to place on record that the Department of Tourism does not
pay any salaries to staff at Zithabiseni. So, that was factually
incorrect to say the department is spending R22 million. I think the
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Deputy Minister did a great job to also respond to some these
unfactual statements that are thrown behind this podium.
But we wish to appreciate the constructive inputs because you know
through constructive inputs, we can grow tourism. We have one
country and one country only which is South Africa and if we all do
Tourism, we will all contribute to promoting tourism, and tourism
that will benefit the people of South Africa.
Indeed, if you don‟t have interests of the people, you will not be
positive when you talk tourism in South Africa.
Chairperson, I wish to appreciate and direct the members to take the
queue from the Chairperson of the committee. When you are in the
space of tourism, the passion, the love of what you do, and you must
not be hypocritic to demonstrate that people have to love or you
were in Malaysia and you see people loving when you hate your own
country.
We are here Chairperson, indeed, to ensure that our provinces are
able to showcase what they have to look into the products that they
have, assist the provinces to develop such products so that we can
keep much more of the tourists coming here. Whilst we do that we
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also would be able through our experiences as we get to travel into
the world learn how to encourage South Africans to travel their own
country.
We must not take for granted South Africans even the City of Cape
Town that boasts this number. I have on the gallery there a person
who comes from here in Cape Town who developed a campaign of eKasi
Tourism because they don‟t concentrate on townships. They don‟t
concentrate on the far outlying areas, the smaller cities here that
have such huge potential and that we expect them if they are genuine
to really support such campaign that begin to bring together people
who have demonstrated already that they want to participate in this
tourism that can change around life. They must not only focus on
international tourists. Our strategy is broad enough. Yes, we are
focussing to ensure that we continue to build and bring in
international tourists. They must not do it to think that they are
here only for international tourists because they don‟t create space
for our people to participate.
We want to ensure that we work with them and if our people do not
participate, it is a sad day for them. The sensitivity in terms of
statements that we also issue out because here you find a blurry
political statement versus a statement that would help.
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We were talking with the industry shortly within these days when
were at the Indaba to indicate with them that shouting does not make
you to be heard, but sitting down and dialogue and make proposals,
we look into that which is what we continuously do as government. We
will do that, but if it is not genuine, we will not. We have, hon
Chairperson, finalised and implemented all the issues that were part
of the immigration regulation, except for the last one, where the
advisory committee is sitting with the Minister today. Already, the
outstanding issue was with the airline, nothing else because you
cannot have a banana republic that‟s free for all just for the case
of ensuring that their establishment have money.
We have to also ensure that our country is safe because some of the
tourists who have been diverted in the world are because of
terrorist attacks and every other thing. We continue to be concerned
about our children who get trafficked or children who get trafficked
into South Africa. The spate of killings is that happened there and
people cannot be identified. So, we continue to care about that and
we will continue to do that. So, we want them. It‟s not about the
Minister of Tourism sitting in safety and security, but it‟s us
being responsible. Tourism requires us to all be responsible. Let us
do tourism, hon Chairperson. We can grow the pie and South Africans
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benefit and we all are happy, our economy growth and the much needed
jobs will be there. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
The Council adjourned at 15:31.
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