Newsflash
In celebration of 30 years since the founding of the Midlands Meander Association, the
association is launching the Midlands Meander Mobile App. The app will encompass all
information about the Midlands in a user-friendly app called ‘Guide on the Go’. There is
real-time navigation using Google Maps, a page for each of the 150 establishments with
contact details, descriptions and photos. Users can also easily search for whatever their
needs may be. The app is launching on Android on October 1 and iOS soon after just in
time for the December holiday season.
How to sell township tourism
Carina Borralho
THE Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA)
has embarked on an extensive
project to improve and develop the
product offering and marketing of
leading townships in the province.
To assist with this, the GTA recently
visited several key townships in the
province to liaise with tour operators,
guides and other tourism providers.
“With the possible exception of
parts of Soweto, most townships
in Gauteng have been historically
neglected in terms of tourism
development, planning and
marketing. We believe that it is vital
to change this permanently,” says
GTA head of communications, Barba
Gaoganediwe. “So far, the response
from tourism providers has been
positive, so we are confident that this
project will produce tangible results
and continuous improvement.”
Poor marketing
He adds that poor marketing leads
to minimal visitation, which produces
minimal profits and results in poor
product development. Barba points
out that there is no incentive to
market products that are poorly
developed. “We have to break this
cycle by supporting these products
and marketing them appropriately.”
Barba told TNW: “Each township
has a different offering and agents
should use these offerings to satisfy
the unique tastes of tourists.” He
adds that although each township
has a unique appeal, they all still
form part of an African and South
African experience.
Focus on new experiences
GTA finds that township tourism
is popular with both local and
international tourists, however locals
don’t necessarily feel like tourists
when they visit townships, while
international travellers are more
inclined to find township tourism
unique. “When targeting local
tourists, agents should focus on
the new experiences being offered.
These are unexpected experiences
such as bird watching, which would
not be commonly associated with
townships,” says Barba.
Agents should highlight how
townships are a great setting for
interacting with locals.
Barba encourages agents to
dismiss misconceptions surrounding
townships. “Townships house
our uniquely diverse country and
form part of a broader mix. By
incorporating new features and
highlighting the existing ones,
we are offering tourists a holistic
experience,” says Barba.
Townships are safe
He says a common misconception
is that townships are not safe.
“Townships are safe, especially in
the frequently visited areas. Popular
areas in townships, such as Vilakazi
Street in Soweto are very safe, and
tourists are accompanied by an
educated tour guide,” he says.
To further promote development in
townships, residents in townships
are being employed as tour guides.
“They know their township and can
show tourists interesting and unique
places that people would otherwise
not know of,” says Barba. He adds
that not only are the people living in
the townships meant to benefit from
township tourism but the tourism
sector as a whole should benefit.
Neglected Alexandra
Barba says Alexandra is a good
example of a neglected destination
with tremendous potential and
promise. He adds, however, that
locals and foreigners are hesitant
to visit Alex because they have a
perception that it is dangerous.
“Once we show how wrong that
perception is, visitation and support
from local tourists will increase.”
In contrast to Alex, Mamelodi is a
very relaxed, friendly and easy-going
township, and the residents are
known for welcoming visitors.
For Soweto, agents should promote
Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers and
cycling tours, which offer a safe
and environmentally friendly way
of exploring the iconic township.
Further, there is another group called
Boni4Kasi, which offers a rougher
ride in Soweto for mountain biking
fanatics. Another attraction in Soweto
is the bungee jump between the
Orlando cooling tours. “The GTA
township project has discovered
incredible potential in our province,”
says Barba. “We are on the verge of
bringing the world to townships, and
taking townships to the top.
Ubuntu Kraal Kasi Beer Garden”
This is the home of
Soweto Gold, the
first township craft
beer in South Africa,which
was founded by Ndumiso
Madlala. He worked as
brew-master at SABMiller for
nine years before branching
out to launch his own brand.
The Soweto Gold range
includes a signature lager
as well as fruit-based beers
and an apple cider.
On a tour of the microbrewery
you can see and
sample the ingredients
that go into the brews,
followed by a beer tasting
on the terrace. This is
accompanied by dishes
from the 'gourmet township
grill' menu. Choices
include the ‘hottest chicks'
chicken wings flash-fried
with peri peri and sweet
chili relish, and Apple Ale
basted pork ribs.
The brewery located at
the Ubuntu Kraal, has
been decorated in retrotownship
style with antique
equipment and vintage
photos of South Africa’s
cultural heroes lining the
walls. Service is friendly
and the staff have an
impressive knowledge
of the brewing process,
making this beer garden
one of Gauteng’s must-visit
attractions.
Hennops Hiking Trail
The Hennops Hiking Trail is
one of the most beautiful
and well-maintained hiking
trails in Gauteng offering two
circular hiking routes – the
relatively easy 6km Zebra
Route (approximately 2 hours)
and the more challenging
11.3km Krokodilberg Route
(4-5 hours). Both routes
leave from the Hadeda Camp
where there are picnic and
braai areas and basic hiking
accommodation for those
wishing to stay overnight.
Both trails begin by crossing
the Hennops River either by
a suspension bridge or an
old-fashioned 'cablecar' which
works by a pulley system.
On the longer Krokodilberg
Route you will pass by a
large cave, reached by a rope
ladder, before beginning the
steep climb across the hills to
various viewpoints from where
you can see the Magaliesberg
mountains. Indigenous flora
and fauna include zebra,
blesbok, kudu and giant treelike
aloes.
It is recommended that
hikers leave as early as
possible on these largely
shadeless routes to avoid the
heat of the midday sun and
that hikers bring sufficient
supplies of water and food
with them.
Nirox Sculpture Park
This exceptional park is
set on 15 magnificent
hectares within an extensive
nature reserve in the
Cradle of Humankind World
Heritage Site. It was once a
commercial trout breeding
and fishing farm and there
are a number of streams
and small lakes running
through the completely
re-landscaped space.
There are various paths
around the park, through
small groves and along
meandering streams. The
park’s primary function is
as an artist’s residence
and every year the Nirox
Foundation provides studio
and living space for artists
from around the world, many
of whose sculptures can be
found in the grounds.
The park is open only for
private functions or during
numerous events. The
annual flagship event is
the Winter Sculpture Fair
which takes place in May.
Dozens of new sculptures
by well-known artists are
commissioned and viewing
is accompanied by a food
and wine fair with the finest
food and wine from culinary
capital Franschhoek in the
Cape winelands.
Other annual events
include the Jazz in the
Cradle festival and the
Acoustics Now festival.
Market on Main Pretoria
A sister market to
Johannesburg's famous
Market on Main in Maboneng,
this pioneering market takes
place every Saturday in
the 012 Central building, a
restored historic warehouse
in downtown Pretoria. The
market is spearheading
an urban revolution in the
Pretoria city centre, inviting
young and fashionable
Pretorians to come to town
to enjoy great gourmet food
and drinks in an easy-going
and friendly atmosphere, while
also catering to young families
with a well-stocked kid’s play
area.
There’s a great selection of
food stalls selling delicious
lunches such as gourmet
burgers and wraps, peri-peri
prawns, tacos and traditional
fish and chips, plus a host of
homemade cakes, brownies
and cookies and a bar selling
craft beers and cocktails.
Various fashion stalls sell
vintage clothing, jewellery and
accessories and unique items
made by local designers. Popup
art exhibitions and live
performances by local bands
are a regular feature.
A large, sunny courtyard and
plenty of tables and benches
provide plenty of space to
sit and soak up the lively
atmosphere.
