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20 August 2007

Tourism opens doors for women

MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Mbulelo Sogoni,
Mayor of the OR Tambo District Municipality, Mayor Capa,
Mayor of the KSD Municipality, Mayor Ngcobo,
Director General of Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pam Yako,
CEO of SA Tourism, Moeketsi Mosola,
CEO of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board, Adv Naledi Burwana-Bisiwe,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

The 2007 theme for International Tourism Day is 'Tourism opens doors for women.' This is the inspiration for our gathering this evening as we celebrate Women's Month and salute women in tourism on the eve of national Tourism Month. The empowerment of women has been at the forefront of our national liberation struggle. During national Women's Month, we remember the integral role that women played in the struggle to rid our country of the injustices of the past, and we celebrate the role that they continue to play in the entrenchment of democracy in our society today.

Women rising to the challenge

In terms of women's representation and participation in political life, our country is a leading light - not only on our continent, but in the world. Similarly, at other levels of government, in business, in civil society and in households throughout our land, outstanding women continue to prove their equal worth in society. Women in tourism are no exception.

This evening, and for the duration of national Tourism Month, we focus on the role of women in the vibrant and growing tourism industry. As government, we have prioritised this industry within Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) in recognition of its enormous potential to create jobs and alleviate poverty. As a business, tourism has grown in leaps and bounds, as evidenced by our ever-increasing tourism arrivals figures. The industry has also become fiercely competitive, placing increased pressure on all who participate in it to conform to the highest standards of excellence.

Our department has recently devised a tourism second economy strategy, which makes provision for assisting the poorest of the poor in our country many of whom constitute women-headed households. This will be done through business hubs in 21 presidential nodes throughout the country. A key focus of this strategy is to overcome the critical barrier of limited market access. We aim to facilitate the mainstreaming of second economy tourism products.

Our Tourism Ambassador Programme, aimed at gearing the industry for 2010, makes provision for women to receive training, and, as far as possible, creates opportunities for them to serve at various events of international significance. Women are also targeted beneficiaries of our tourist guide training and foreign language programmes, where they can be sent abroad for mid-career training in countries such as India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands.

Through our social responsibility programmes, we have created 7 511 job opportunities for women in tourism related projects over the past three years. Through the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, we have assisted women in craft through the one of a kind trade show held in Gauteng earlier this month. The show provided an enabling and supportive environment for craft producers to grow and develop their businesses. The show was informed by a sustainable development approach - encouraging and facilitating transactions between small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and corporate business. In total, through our Tourism Enterprise Programme, 918 women-owned businesses have received assistance, and 1 296 women have benefited from training courses.

Women leaders in Tourism

We are privileged to have outstanding women leaders in tourism, a few of whom I would like to mention. Starting with our own Department Of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, we have a cadre of formidable women, led by our Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, our Director General, Pamela Yako, our Chief Operating Officer, Nosipho Jezile, and a number of senior managers. We also have women at the helm of our statutory bodies, in the form of Thembi Kunene, at the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, Matshatshi Marobe at the Tourism Business Council and Didi Moyle at South African Tourism. In the private sector, the business acumen of Monhla Hlahla has seen the Airports Company of South Africa reach new heights of achievement.

The success enjoyed by these women is the fruit of hard work and dedication, which is mirrored at all levels of the industry. Our 2002 Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Eteya) winner was Sarah Ntombana Mahlangu, who was given the award in recognition of her ambitious job creation scheme, appropriately named 'Something out of Nothing.' The scheme was started in 1999 and has not only empowered its creator, but has uplifted an entire community. This is just one example of how tourism has enabled women empowerment, entrepreneurship and job creation even in remote areas.

But right here in Mthatha, we have the shining example of Lindelwa Lumka (Pinky) Somhlahlo, who was the provincial finalist in last year's Eteya awards. In addition to expanding her business from one bed and breakfast establishment to three, she has also branched out into the business of catering. It is this type of success story that we hope will inspire more women to participate in this industry.

While we ramp up our efforts to lower the barriers to entry in the tourism industry, we need to consider equally the importance of sustainability not only for businesses but also for the communities that they are situated in. In particular, we need to ensure that tourism fulfils its potential to help rural communities to sustain themselves. Once more, I am proud to be able to cite an example from the Eastern Cape. Bulungula Lodge, just an hour away from where we are this evening, and run by yet another successful woman in tourism, has been awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism trademark.

Conclusion

As government, we also have to remain mindful of our role in continuing to assist and enable the empowerment of women in tourism. The baseline study conducted by the Tourism Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council reveals that women are underrepresented at senior management and board level in the industry. This highlights the continuing need for ensuring that government interventions benefit women in tourism.

This evening I have spoken of many successful women in tourism. It is important that we celebrate their achievements as part and parcel of the greater success of our economy and our nation in uplifting and improving the quality of life of all our people. We need to find new and innovative ways to overcome the challenges that lie ahead of us amongst the biggest of which is training and skills development. I hope that you will be inspired by how far we have come in such a short time, and armed with that inspiration, I have no doubt that you will overcome these challenges. Malibongwe!

Enquiries:
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
20 August 2007