Guides to speak with one voice
Field and game guides unite to form own association in Mpumalanga
MBOMBELA – After quite a few unsuccessful attempts, guides working in the tourism industry in Mpumalanga, came together to form an association. The new organisation, the Mpumalanga Tourist Guides Association, will be part of the Institute of Professional Guides of Southern Africa.
Part of its vision is the formation of smaller and more localised organisations, such as a Trout Guiding Agency in Dullstroom, as well as Lowveld, Highveld and Underberg guiding agencies.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency played a major roll in this initiative and Ms Justine Hoggan heaved a sigh of relief after the successful launch.
“This has been hard work to bring everybody together. We have tried on numerous occasions to form this provincial organisation, but to no avail. Now it’s done,” she said.
A steering committee was also elected to finalise a draft-founding document, a code of conduct for all members and a blueprint for associated agencies.
The members elected to serve on this committee are Mr Mornay Marais as interim president, Ms Lynne Laubscher as deputy president as well as four additional members namely Mr Mark Cherry, Ms Vanessa Strydom, Mr Steven Thabethe and Mr Doug Campbell.
