KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Rev Musa Zondi says rural tourism is key to local economic development.
Zondi was speaking at KwaXolo on the south coast during the launch of the KwaXolo Summer season.
The launch is aimed at promoting tourism in rural areas. The area boasts KwaXolo Cave which is rich in the history of Khoisan.
Zondi says residents must capitalise on the existing tourist attractions to develop their respective areas.
The KwaXolo Cave Adventures has become a tourist drawcard with regular visits from tourists outside the province. It is believed that the cave was used by Khoisan more than 1 hundred thousand years ago.
MEC for Economic Development, tourism and environmental affairs Rev Musa Zondi says the area is an ideal representation of rural tourism, “It is a symbol in the sense that in an area that is viewed by many as being remote as s KwaXolo Cave, we need to bring the whole of the country to the sense that the tourism goes far and. It is not only about those who are in urban areas, but it must not leave anyone behind. We want to emphasize as the 7th administration that it must be the development that leaves no one behind.”
Manager of KwaXolo Cave Adventures, Nkosiyazi Makhanya, says the cave’s features make it a unique natural adventure. “Our main attraction is the rock art painting, and those paintings were written by Khoisan people. They prove that the Khoisan people were staying at KwaXolo. On top of that, the hike on the cave, we do have a suspension bridge, we also a have hike into the waterfall and now we are building a restaurant.”
KwaXolo Cave Adventures also provides economic benefits to the local community. Njabulo Nhlumayo and Lobolani Sikobi are excited about the project. “As the community we are happy and we will work with the traditional council and it will be easy for the tourists when they arrive here to enjoy themselves and there is nothing bad here,” explains Nhlumayo.
Sikobi adds, “We will sell our products here and we don’t want to miss this opportunity. I will sell vegetables and fruits, and it is important for us local women to come together and come up with a good strategy to sell our product.”
Meanwhile, seven beaches on the south coast have been awarded blue flag status due to water quality, safety and sound environmental management system.
Arrival of the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi at the KwaXolo Caves ahead of the summer season launch. pic.twitter.com/Tx0IHHUO4U
— EDTEA KZN (@edtea_kzn) November 16, 2024
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