Newly Dundee Tourism chair has a wish for everyone to benefit from a renewed bid to attract visitors to the area
At its height, tourism accounted for over R120-million of ‘fresh money’ a year into the local economy and Mtshali wants to recapture those heady days.
Tourism is an industry where the input costs are (relatively) low, but the benefits are swift and high.
“Tourism can improve the lives of ordinary folk who can simply tap into their latent skills – bead-making, arts and crafts, singing, dancing or tour guiding – to create an income. My vision is to ensure that tourism and its benefits touch everyone,” says Mthokozisi ‘Toy’ Mtshali. Last week, he was voted in as chairperson of Tourism Dundee.
“Our battlefields are part of our natural heritage that people around the world visit. Covid-19 and other issues have seen international tourism drop off, so it is up to all of us to ensure that we do the correct marketing and do our bit to keep our environment safe and clean, and make it welcoming for all.”
Mtshali noted that the road signage on the battlefield route is terrible and would like to work with all sectors – government and private – to improve this.
“One of my first tasks will be for our committee to take stock of all assets, as it were; and list all our B&Bs, lodges, etc, guides and all other facilities that add to our hospitality sector. It does not matter if they are members of Tourism Dundee or not. Once we have the information, we can encourage all to join.”
He said that many people who are in the industry are not even aware that they should be members of their local CTO (Community Tourism Organisation) to access government funding.
“We have many attractions that are unique to our area, so we would like everyone to come on board.”
Born in Glencoe, Mtshali matriculated at Dundee High School, after which he studied Sports Management. He was particularly interested in sports tourism and in 2003 volunteered to work as a media volunteer for the World Cup Cricket tournament that was hosted in South Africa.
Five years ago, he launched Zulu Time Adventures locally, which is involved in arranging hikes in the Northern KZN area and other adventure tours.
He describes himself as a people person who is also an entrepreneur. He and his family also dabble in agriculture – ‘Zulu Time Foods’ – and he’s looking forward to making a difference in his town.
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