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Having declared tourism as an exponentially growing sector that has been identified as an economic contributor envisaged to putting Bokone Bophirima on the map, MEC for Tourism Desbo Mohono says her department will continues to thrive and transform the people’s ordinary lives.

MEC Mohono was addressing, as part of appreciating key strategic contributors in the tourism sector and recognizing their efforts and sharing their success stories at a convergence of tourism stakeholders, community members including tourism scholars and practitioners during the celebration of tourism’s achievements in 20 years of freedom and democracy held at the Mahikeng Hotel School.

“Our gathering here symbolizes a noble course that we acknowledge where we come from and where we are heading as a nation and as a province in particular. Now as stewards and agents of tourism provincially, we were not going to be left behind when the entire country is in jubilation and in happy mood trying to reminiscence our 20 year journey,” Mohono said.

“Ours is indeed a good story to narrate. The outstanding noticeable fact about the 20 Year North West tourism journey is that the story is for the people by the people. Our people are themselves narrators and main actors within this 20 year voyage. One has to also hasten to say the journey has had both sour and sweet moments along the way. But I am proud to say we are still standing and we will not let the baton fall on our people,” she continued.

Sharing their humble beginnings and telling their 20 years of freedom and democracy stories, from amongst many others in the tourism industry, was owner of Dikgwetlo Guest Lodge, Jackie Seeco; and owner of Tautona Tours and Safaris, Moshe Mokone, including the successful milestone recorded by Mahikeng Protea Hotel.

Seeco said that his journey in the tourism industry has not been an easy one. “Although government has always aspired to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, my major challenges include finding suitable land to build to my business, funding the business and high interest rates from the bank,” Seeco said. He added that in the future he is looking at creating economic packages to incorporate all classes of society.

Professor and Head of Tourism at the North West University, Professor Haretsebe Manwa, said that their partnership with the Mafikeng Hotel School has in the past years yielded positive results as her students were able to exchange practical trades and technical skills. “We are already working together with the Mahikeng Hotel School and our students have testified that this partnership has assisted them enormously. My only plea to the tourism industry players is that they should consider giving our students opportunities for internships so that they can also learn how the industry operates.
“Tourism is multifaceted and it’s made up of Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). Students need to start their own tourism business so that they can contribute in making sure that the province reaches its 2020 and 2030 targets,” she said.

Issued by: North West Tourism