Tourism generated R66-million for the greater Dundee area in 2012.
This was announced at the Dundee Tourism annual general meeting by outgoing chairperson, Elisabeth Durham.
Unfortunately the figure is down on last year, mainly because the support was not forthcoming from all establishment owners, in spite of repeated requests to provide us with statistics," she told the meeting, attended by about 50 people, at Amabutho Warrior Lodge.
The formula used is approved by SA Tourism at R1 100 per night – inclusive of accommodation, meals, drinks, etc. Tourism established that the area hosted 60 732 visitors in 2012.
The tourism committee had a busy year, and has made great strides in promoting the area nationally through the successful association with N3 Gateway.
The Indaba Show in Durban and Getaway Show in Johannesburg were attended by Naresh Gopie and Elisabeth – although Elisabeth had to pull out of the Getaway Show after her father fell ill and his subsequent passing away in France.
Projects Mrs Durham highlighted in her report included:
* The promotion of Glencoe in the Courier’s sister publication, Country Life (thanks to Cherice Torlage);
* The tackling of the airfield upgrade, which the MEC for Finance has taken up – the committee is still awaiting feedback;
* The History of Sibongile effort through artists Neil Coppen and Vaughn Sadie, and taken up by Talana Museum;
* The ongoing support of the Dundee July, which over 20 000 people attended this year;
* The Talana Live event, which is set to book Dundee out in a week's time.
Concern was expressed at the meeting how events such as church bazaars and, this year the Biltongfees and Elandskraal Bazaar, clashed on the same day.
A suggestion was made that religious, sporting, cultural and other organisations arranging events get together in the tourism office at the beginning of the year (or earlier) to limit clashes.
Guest speaker at the meeting, Ben Henderson of the David Rattray Foundation (DRF), gave members detailed insight into to how this dynamic foundation has impacted on the lives of school children in the rural areas near Rorke's Drift.
Classrooms have been built using the rammed earth method – which is cheaper than traditional building methods – with the foundation becoming a leading exponent in this type of building. Enquiries have come in from the USA, Europe and Tanzania.
Mr Henderson said the foundation hired a team of consultants from Johannesburg to conduct a 'whole school analysis' on what the rural schools in the area lack and what could be done to improve the education at the schools.
Infrastructure and school management came out on top. To date, millions of Rands have been spent on electrifying schools, providing toilets, classrooms, fencing, and cleanliness, and in some cases even shoes for learners.
“It is especially gratifying when you hear from a principal of a DRF school that marks have improved from around 20% to 65%. It is probably not only because of our interventions, but also giving staff and learners a sense of pride. Education was very close to David’s heart – he believed it’s through education that we can achieve true reconciliation and progress in our province and country.”
It was in January 2007 that David was shot dead at his home at Fugitive's Drift Lodge. His death sparked international anguish with calls of sympathy and support coming from Prince Charles (a personal friend to David) and then-President Thabo Mbeki.
However, his legacy lives on in the education of the children of the rural areas around where he left his indelible mark.