14
May 2008
Speech
Statement to the High Level Segment By H.E.
Marthinus Van Schalkwyk Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism - 14 May 2008
Mr. Chairman, on behalf
of the South African Government, I congratulate
you on your leadership in this process.
South Africa associates itself with the
statements made by the Group of 77 and China
and by the Africa Group.
Mr Chair, as the world
experiences a food price crisis and escalating
levels of poverty we meet timeously to review
implementation of work towards meeting the
WSSD targets. We are considering progress
in Africa and the challenges of drought
and desertification, land, agriculture,
rural development and water as a firm basis
for a constructive and action-oriented CSD17
policy session.
Mr Chair, in Johannesburg
we agreed that the greatest challenge of
our time was dealing with poverty. It is
clear that whilst many countries have undertaken
concrete actions and achieved progress in
certain areas, much remains to be done to
alleviate poverty, improve livelihoods and
to enhance economic growth, particularly
in Africa.
At the heart the vision
of an African Renaissance stands the challenge
of ending the economic marginalization of
Africa and attracting resources and investment
to ensure its development. In this regard,
South Africa is committed to the full implementation
of NEPAD as Africa’s premier development
vehicle.
Mr Chair, agriculture
remains the backbone of the economy for
many developing countries, where the issues
of drought, desertification and land degradation
are closely linked to food security. In
this context, meeting the MDG’s and WSSD
targets requires increased political commitment
to address the challenges of agriculture
and rural development. In Africa, this requires
the full implementation of the NEPAD Comprehensive
Africa Agricultural Development Programme
which, in turn, is linked to efforts to
address the inequities in access to land,
its resources, and insecurity of tenure.
Promoting women’s equal access to and full
participation in land decision-making; effecting
new land rights and access to land and development
opportunities remains a key challenge, requiring
collective action.
Mr Chair, the current
global food crisis highlights the impacts
of climate change, a growing population
and an ever increasing demand for food,
which will require an intensification of
agricultural development along with the
integrated management of our natural resource
base. The implications these trends are
most severe for the water and sanitation
sector. In particular, we must note that
that many African countries will not meet
the water and sanitation MDG and WSSD targets.
In this regard, South Africa supports and
calls for international support for the
full implementation of measures outlined
in the eThekwini Declaration of the African
Ministers Conference on Water.
Mr Chairman, our success
in addressing the challenges of drought
and desertification, land, water and sanitation
is dependent on access to adequate finance,
technology and capacity to fully implement
agriculture, rural and African development
programmes which are supported by comprehensive
international science and technology cooperation
initiatives. For these programmes to effectively
address the central issue of poverty they
would have to include a focus on the development
of entrepreneurs to add value to primary
production. In turn, these programmes must
be supported by infrastructure development,
including transport systems as well as information,
communication and telecommunications infrastructure.
In this context, it is clear that trade
distortions and access barriers in the form
of tariffs, sanitary and phyto-sanitary
barriers as well as other non-tariff barriers
place huge constraint on development. Therefore
a speedy and successful conclusion of the
Doha Development Round is of crucial importance.
In conclusion, Mr Chair,
the Commission on Sustainable Development
must remain relevant as a global platform
to review and measure progress in the implementation
of the international sustainable development
agenda. We have a responsibility to ensure
that the CSD is strengthened in its role
of holding all of us accountable for our
commitments to achieving sustainable development.
I thank you.
+ More
Nine Southern African
Countries Pledge Support tO 2010 TFCA Brand,
Launched at Tourism Indaba Today
10 May 2008
Media Statement
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
SATURDAY, 10 MAY 2008: “Boundless Southern
Africa,” the consolidated 2010 Transfrontier
Conservation Areas (TFCAs) brand was today
officially launched by nine Southern African
countries at Tourism Indaba in Durban.
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland,
Zambia and Zimbabwe today unanimously showed
their support for the brand as a means of
showcasing the TFCAs straddling the SADC
region.
During the official
launch address, Deputy Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabudafhasi
said, “The vision for “Boundless Southern
Africa” is to become an authentically Southern
African brand where the nine countries are
united through a passion for nature, culture
and community. Hence, the regional identity
and character that defines this single brand
most completely is simply the reverence
for the deep authentic character of our
cultural and natural heritage, and for its
defining role in our lives as communities.”
The development of the
joint brand is based on the motivation to
host the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South
Africa which was that the World Cup would
not only benefit South Africa alone but
the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) region and Africa as a whole.
Mabudafhasi said that
the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup brings along
a range of business, investment and tourism
opportunities for our region and the African
continent at large. “We have a chance here
to shape the image of Southern Africa in
a way that we may not have again. It is
therefore critical for the region and the
continent at large, to formulate and implement
strategies that will enable the realization
of these opportunities,” she added.
At a meeting of SADC
Tourism Ministers held on 13 June 2005 in
Johannesburg, all Ministers undertook to
collectively maximize the tourism potential
of the adventure treasure trove of the region.
In 2005, the nine Southern
African countries endorsed a strategy aimed
at showcasing seven TFCAs that are found
in their countries. The purpose of the “TFCA
development strategy for 2010 and beyond”
is to increase the tourism potential of
Southern Africa by consolidating the marketing,
infrastructure development and investment
promotion efforts of existing transfrontier
conservation initiatives. It is capitalizing
on the opportunities presented by the FIFA
2010 Soccer World Cup to the tourism industry
- in terms of increased tourist arrivals
as well as increased media focus, to brand
and market the region as a favourable tourist
destination and to address the key challenges
to deliver the experience.
Mabudafhasi said, “The
distinctly unique tourism experience offered
by this region certainly sets us apart from
the rest of the world. And we stand ready
to welcome the world to our region. Our
product range is unrivalled. And to mention
just a few, it encompasses the world famous
national parks, the mighty Victoria Falls,
the majestic Ukahlamba-Drakensberg, the
extensive Okavango Delta, the great Fish
River Canyon, expansive deserts and spectacular
rivers, all of them within TFCAs!”
Currently, these attractions
are being marketed under various different
names and these fragmented product names
often confuse the target group. In addition,
limited marketing is undertaken on each
TFCA product which also dilutes the desired
effect.. The fragmentation counteracts efforts
of telling the world about Southern Africa
TFCAs and the diversity of products available
within them. The lack of convergence further
undermines the critical mandate to deliver
tourist arrivals to the SADC region.
The merit of a single
brand for TFCAs cannot be overemphasized
enough, primarily because TFCAs are the
key tourist attractions and value offerings
that link our respective countries, said
Mabudafhasi. “Indeed, they are Southern
Africa’s unique drawcard. In this regard,
the nine Southern African countries unanimously
support the “Boundless Southern Africa”
brand as a means of showcasing the Transfrontier
Conservation Areas which straddles the SADC
region,” she said.
Symbolically, one brand
for all of our TFCAs is a strong marketing
model for SADC globally. This brand is a
reflection of the values of TFCAs and it
will form the basis for awareness-raising
campaigns and for the active marketing of
TFCAs. Following the launch of the brand
today, the inter-agency implementation framework
will be developed to facilitate the process
of delivering on the brand promise.
A lack of investments
and infrastructure development has been
identified as a major barrier to tourism
growth in the SADC region. This situation
is due to limited awareness among the international
investor community about tourism investment
opportunities in the region and a lack of
packaged and ready-to-go investments.
Acknowledging these
challenges Mabudafhsi said that a proactive
approach is required to attract investment
in this diversity of products, infrastructure,
support services and entertainment. In an
effort to tackle these challenges, a plan
of action for accelerating investment and
infrastructure development in TFCAs has
been developed and is being implemented.
It involves the identification, feasibility
analysis, and packaging of development opportunities.
These opportunities will then be punted
and promoted to potential investors through
different avenues such as business meetings,
various website links and print media.
In closing, Mabudafhasi
said, “In assessing our chances for success,
we are highly optimistic. TFCA stakeholders
around the region are demonstrating great
willingness to work in new and progressive
ways. Local entrepreneurs are generating
business ventures better –suited and geared
to current and future conditions. Most are
doing so while also displaying a deep affinity
for our shared cultural and natural resources,
making our long term prospects as a region
so much more positive.”
In attendance at the
launch ceremony were, Mr. Fernando Sumbana,
Minister of Tourism, Mozambique , Mr. Carlos
Sousa, Deputy Minister Sports, Mozambique,
Ms. Lebogang Ntsinyi, Minister of Environment,
Tourism and Culture, Lesotho, Ms. Thandi
Shongwe, Minister of Tourism, Environment
and Communication, Swaziland, Mr. Michael
Kaingu, Minister of Tourism, Environment
and Natural Resources, Zambia and Deputy
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
for South Africa, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi.
Botswana was represented
by the Botswana High Commissioner to South
Africa Ms. Motlhagodi Molomo, Namibia by
the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment
and Tourism Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Angola
by Mr. Lutete Jose Nzinga from the Ministry
of Tourism and Hotels
and Zimbabwe was represented by Mr Douglas
Mavhembu, Acting National Director of Tourism
and Mr. Edson Chidziya National Coordinator
(TFCAs).
To access the Deputy
Minister’s speech and for additional information,
click on the link below:
http://www.environment.gov.za/HotIssues/2008/tcfaLaunchInfo/tfcaLaunchInfo.html
A TFCA is an area straddling
across two or more international borders
where the natural and cultural resources
are collaboratively managed by the governments/authorities
involved; and a TFP is an area where two
or more protected areas are managed jointly.
+ More
Speech for the Opening of Tourism Indaba
Prepared for the Honourable Deputy Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms
Rejoice Mabudafhasi
10 May 2008
Speech
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Cop
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
I am excited to be here today to welcome
you to this prestigious annual event and
South Africa’s largest travel trade exhibition.
This is one of the three biggest travel
showcases in the world and is the premier
South Africa destination showcase.
It is also fantastic
to be part of a nation that will host one
of the world’s biggest sporting events in
2010! As we celebrate our past successes,
we look towards 2010 with an excitement
that is palpable!
Yes, it’s no longer
a distant dream but an exciting reality.
We are ready to welcome the world. We are
ready to host the best FIFA World Cup that
the world has ever seen.
Growth of the tourism
industry in South Africa
Honoured guests, there has been significant
growth in the tourism industry over the
past few years. In 1994, fewer than 600
000 tourists visited South Africa per year.
In 2007, we received just over 9million
foreign arrivals. What an incredible feat.
This boasts an amazing 1415 percent increase
in arrivals during the lifespan of our fledgling
democracy.
Last year we recorded
the following arrivals shifts:
Europe 2.3 percent growth
North America 8.6 percent growth
Central and South America 5.6 percent growth
Australasia 12.7 percent growth
Middle East 12.2 percent growth
Africa mainland 9.3 percent growth
Indian Ocean islands 5.8 percent growth
Total from all regions 8.3 percent growth
We are well within our goal to welcome 10
million international arrivals by 2010.
Accounting for growth
of destination South Africa South Africa’s
success as a destination is no accident.
Although South Africa sells itself - the
people, places, diversity of experiences
make it irresistible to millions.
This success is the
result of a well conceived marketing strategy
to position the destination globally and
build key and in-depth consumer insights
about the destination. The marketing strategy
is consumer-focussed as opposed to product-focussed.
As a testimony, South
Africa has hosted a number of high-profile
global events (WSSD, Rugby World Cup, Cricket
World Cup, and of course has been awarded
the FIFA 2010 World Cup).
These events have focused the attention
of the world on South Africa and have driven
home the fact that this destination has
infrastructure and capability that is on
a par with global standards.
South African Tourism
also invests in its global relationships
to improve and enhance trade relations.
Growth can also be attributed to the utilisation
of very specific media as well as television
campaigns on global media platforms such
as Eurosport and CNN.
South African Tourism
has also embarked on Destination presence
on National Geographic and BBC World. Last
year, these campaigns reached 15.9 million
affluent adults in Europe alone and this
generated 418 minutes of global editorial
on South Africa.
Industry milestones
As we stand ready to host the world in 2010,
we also stand proud of our past achievements
in this burgeoning industry. Indeed, these
are the yardsticks by which we measure our
readiness for this event.
In 2004, the highlight
was definitely South Africa being awarded
the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Not only was this a major sporting coup
but also an excellent catalyst for the process
of nation-building, cultivating national
pride and celebrating our diversity and
humanity. That year also saw successful
launch of the Domestic Tourism Growth Strategy.
In 2005, the Welcome
Awards were launched to reward service excellence.
We also saw the launch of the Tourism BEE
Scorecard. This goes hand in hand and serves
as an indicator of the BEE Tourism Charter
which expresses the commitment of all stakeholders
in the industry to the empowerment and transformation
of this sector. Another highlight of 2005
was when tourism eclipsed gold as a foreign
exchange earner for South Africa!
In 2007, the FIFA tour
operators authorization programme was launched.
In 2008, the first truly broadbased BEE
transaction in the tourism industry was
effected with the purchase of Tourvest by
Guma Tourism.
I am also very pleased
to announce that the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) has approved the gazetting
of the Tourism BEE Charter as a sector code
in the codes of good practice. This means
that the Charter will be legally binding
henceforth.
FIFA 2010
Of all of South Africa’s industries, the
tourism sector is most ideally positioned
to profit from the championship and from
the millions of people who are to visit
this destination during the run-up to the
championship, the event itself thereafter.
South Africa is proud,
honored and excited to bring the world the
first FIFA championship ever on African
soil. Apart from the tremendous economic
spin-offs for the South African people,
the event also gives the world an opportunity
to experience its people, its heart.
We are really excited
about the way forward and that we are on
track and on schedule. Yes, we are ready.
There is much productive activity in preparation
for this mammoth event. Here are a few examples.
Our tourist arrivals are on track to reach
10 million by 2010. We are also well on
our way to deliver the 55,000 rooms for
2010. New hotels are also being constructed
throughout the country.
The Gautrain – a state-of-the-art
rapid rail link system - promises to be
up and running by 2010 and ACSA is busy
with airport infrastructure expansion to
meet the projected demand. Ten football
stadiums are either in the process of being
upgraded or are on track to be delivered
by 2010. The Airlift Strategy ensures more
flights into South Africa than ever before.
Responsible tourism
Key industry players are keenly aware of
the fact that the industry needs to be sustainable
(both from environmental and socio-economic
perspectives), for it to thrive.
Mechanisms have been
put in place to ensure that historically
disadvantaged groups benefit from tourism
and that they are economically empowered
through tourism.
This is evidenced through
the successful implementation of the BEE
Charter and Scorecard – which commits to
achieve empowerment targets within a set
timeframe.
Fair Trade in Tourism
South Africa (FTTSA) is an accreditation
system that also serves as an enabling tool
for building the economy through tourism.
To date there are currently 30 South African
businesses that sport this accreditation
ranging from budget to super luxury options.
The Emerging Tourism
Entrepreneur of the Year Award’s (ETEYA)
primary objective was to pay tribute to
the contribution of Small, Medium and Micro
Enterprises (SMMEs) to the development of
the tourism industry and job creation in
South Africa. It also aimed at encouraging
innovation and raising levels of service.
The tourism and hospitality
industry has cottoned onto the “greening”
concept. As a result, major convention centers
and hotels have started implementing natural
resource sustaining practices e.g. alternative
power; water; recycling paper, glass and
organic materials etc. At the same time,
mechanisms have also been put in place to
preserve the natural environment for sustainability
and to ensure this priceless legacy remains
intact for future generations to enjoy.
South Africa’s pristine
wilderness areas are legendary and government
together with civil society work hard to
maintain this reputation. South Africa has
excellent conservation policies and is signatory
to numerous international environmental
agreements that serve as global benchmarks.
The greatest impact
of the 2010 World Cup is not its direct
impact but rather permanently positioning
our tourism industry at the leading edge
of global competitiveness and ensuring tourism
growth well beyond 2010. It represents one
of South Africa’s biggest foreign direct
investment catalysts and is capable of unleashing
great economic prosperity.
So I say to you today,
let us welcome the world to experience the
atmosphere and spirit so unique to African
football matches. Let’s head for the goal
posts in preparing to welcome our guests.
Let them come and enjoy
the warmth and generosity of our diverse
people. Let the spirit and passion of Africa
ignite this world cup.
Let this be a celebration
of global unity. Africa reverberates with
the rhythmic chants of song and the bleating
of the vuvuzela! We are ready - let’s play
ball!
I thank you
+ More
SPEECH DELIVERED BY
THE HONOURABLE DEPUTY MINISTER, MS REJOICE
MABUDAFHASI FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE STRATEGIC
BRANDING OF TFCAs AT TOURISM INDABA
10 May 2008
Speech
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
Honourable Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic cop,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
A true renaissance of
the “Boundless Southern Africa”
This is indeed a momentous occasion! An
occasion where we all are enthused with
the infectious energy of the tourism growth
potential which reverberates through the
Southern African region. An occasion where
we celebrate a true renaissance of the “Boundless
Southern Africa.”
We can only smile in anticipation of the
endless opportunities presented by this
initiative in years to come. And we look
back with an immense sense of pride at the
achievements of the years past, particularly
our first meeting of SADC Ministers responsible
for Tourism, held on 13 June 2005, at OR
Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg.
It was at this meeting where we unanimously
undertook to collectively maximize the tourism
potential of the adventure treasure trove
of our region.
Therefore, united in
the diversity of the tourism attractions
offered by our countries, in alphabetical
order namely - Angola; Botswana; Lesotho;
Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Swaziland;
Zambia and Zimbabwe - we are gathered here
today for the launch of the strategic brand
for Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs),
in celebration of the majestic renaissance
of the power of a sleeping giant.
I am sure that you would all agree that
there has never been a more exciting time
to be part of the burgeoning tourism industry
in our region.
Brand Development and
marketing of TFCAs.
The merit of a single brand for TFCAs cannot
be overemphasized enough, primarily because
TFCAs are the key tourist attractions and
value offerings that link our respective
countries. Indeed, they are Southern Africa’s
unique draw card. In this regard, the nine
Southern African countries unanimously support
the “Boundless Southern Africa” brand as
a means of showcasing the Trans-frontier
Conservation Areas which straddles the SADC
region. It is therefore my great privilege
to officially welcome you to the launch
of the “Boundless Southern Africa” brand.
The vision for “Boundless
Southern Africa” is to become an authentically
Southern African brand where the nine countries
are united through a passion for nature,
culture and community.
Hence, the regional identity and character
that defines this single brand most completely
is simply the reverence for the deep authentic
character of our cultural and natural heritage,
and for its defining role in our lives as
communities.
The distinctly unique
tourism experience offered by this region
certainly sets us apart from the rest of
the world. And we stand ready to welcome
the world to our region. Our product range
is unrivalled in its colossal splendour
and includes the world famous national parks,
the mighty Victoria Falls, the majestic
Ukahlamba-Drakensberg, the extensive Okavango
Delta, the great Fish River Canyon, expansive
deserts and spectacular rivers, all of them
within TFCAs!
Currently, these attractions are being marketed
under various different names and these
fragmented product names often confuse the
target group. In addition, limited marketing
is undertaken on each TFCA product which
also dilutes the desired effect.
The fragmentation counteracts
our efforts of telling the world about Southern
Africa TFCAs and the diversity of products
available within them. The lack of convergence
further undermines our critical mandate
to deliver tourist arrivals to the SADC
region.
Symbolically, one brand
for all of our TFCAs is a strong marketing
model for SADC globally. This brand is a
reflection of the values of TFCAs and it
will form the basis for awareness-raising
campaigns and for the active marketing of
TFCAs.
Following the launch of the brand today,
the inter-agency implementation framework
will be developed to facilitate the process
of delivering on the brand promise.
TFCA strategy for 2010
and beyond
The FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup brings along
a range of business, investment and tourism
opportunities for our region and the African
continent at large. We have a chance here
to shape the image of Southern Africa in
a way that we may not have again.
It is therefore critical for the region
and the continent at large, to formulate
and implement strategies that will enable
the realization of these opportunities.
In 2005, the nine Southern
African countries of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland,
Zambia and Zimbabwe endorsed a strategy
aimed at showcasing seven TFCAs that are
found in their countries.
The purpose of the “TFCA development strategy
for 2010 and beyond” is to increase the
tourism potential of Southern Africa by
consolidating the marketing, infrastructure
development and investment promotion efforts
of existing trans-frontier conservation
initiatives.
It is capitalizing on the opportunities
presented by the FIFA 2010 Soccer World
Cup to the tourism industry - in terms of
increased tourist arrivals as well as increased
media focus, to brand and market the region
as favourable tourist destination and to
address the key challenges to deliver the
experience.
On the 11 February 2008,
the team responsible for the implementation
of the strategy presented a highly comprehensible
update on the implementation of the TFCA
strategy for 2010 and beyond.
It was remarkably pleasing and heartening
to note the progress made thus far - of
which today’s event is a part.
Investment and Infrastructure Development.
A lack of investments and infrastructure
development has been identified as a major
barrier to tourism growth in the SADC region.
This situation is caused by two factors:
Limited awareness among
the international investor community about
tourism investment opportunities in the
region; and
Lack of packaged and ready-to-go investments
Therefore the challenge we face is clear
and it is imperative that we must find new
and more creative ways to address this.
A proactive approach is required to attract
investment in this diversity of products,
infrastructure, support services and entertainment.
In an effort to tackle these challenges,
a plan of action for accelerating investment
and infrastructure development in TFCAs
has been developed and is being implemented.
It involves the identification, feasibility
analysis, and packaging of development opportunities.
These opportunities will then be punted
and promoted to potential investors through
different avenues such as business meetings,
various website links and print media.
Conclusion
It is on occasions such as this that we
as people of Southern Africa rejoice in
the decision we made to work together in
securing the integrity of the region’s major
ecosystems, in promoting tourism growth,
specifically cross-border tourism, and in
the preservation of cultural heritage.
I would like to reiterate
that through the shared vision of “Boundless
Southern Africa”, this region is realising
its full and unlimited potential. Beyond
boundaries, we are able to nurture and protect
the environment through the conservation
of biodiversity and shared ecosystems. Beyond
barriers, we are able to support sustainable
economic development and celebrate the culture,
heritage and future of local communities.
In assessing our chances
for success, we are highly optimistic. TFCA
stakeholders around the region are demonstrating
great willingness to work in new and progressive
ways. Local entrepreneurs are generating
business ventures better –suited and geared
to current and future conditions. Most are
doing so while also displaying a deep affinity
for our shared cultural and natural resources,
making our long term prospects as a region
so much more positive.
Once again, it is my
great privilege to officially launch the
“Boundless Southern Africa” brand.
Thank you…
