South Africa’s rich cultural heritage and diverse population contribute to a wide range of storytelling possibilities. This is witnessed through the lens of filmmakers who explore unique narratives, characters and themes rooted in South African social landscape and history, which resonates with both local and international audiences.
Stepping into the film industry, Viu has taken mobile screens by storm. The popular video streaming service that offers a wide range of entertainment content, including TV shows, movies and original productions, has experienced significant growth since its launch in South Africa in 2019.
Viu is not only a favourite amongst consumers but is also on the AppGallery’s Editor’s choice. Here’s why:
Mobile-centric approach
Viu has strategically positioned itself as a mobile-centric streaming platform, catering to the growing popularity of mobile devices for video consumption. Its mobile app is user-friendly and optimised for streaming on smartphones and tablets, allowing users to access their favourite shows on the go.
Content acquisition and partnerships
Viu has secured content acquisition deals and partnerships with major content providers, production houses and broadcasters. By offering a diverse library of popular South African dramas, variety shows and movies, the platform has been able to attract and retain a significant number of subscribers.
In 2019 it announced that it had partnered with the SABC and acquired the rights to broadcast selected SABC shows, including Uzalo and Skeem Saam for a period of 24 months. Etv shows such as Imbewu: The Seed and Scandal also make a feature.
Original content production
Viu has invested in producing its own original content, including dramas and variety shows. These original productions have helped differentiate Viu from its competitors and attract viewers looking for exclusive and high-quality content.
Available in diverse markets
Viu has steadily expanded its operations and entered new markets, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion has allowed Viu to tap into a large user base and cater to diverse audiences.
While the combination of the aforementioned factors has contributed to the richness and vibrancy of South Africa’s film industry, it’s important to note that there’s still room for innovation and development.
Don’t have Viu yet? Download it from AppGallery today. There’s a subscription plan for everyone! The Daily Premium subscription starts from as little as R5 day and is bundled with a free 250MB daily recurring video data bundle. The Monthly Premium subscription is R69 per month, with a free 3GB monthly recurring video data bundle.
The Ethical Agency’s digital marketing department is proud to announce its partnership with JUST SA – South Africa’s leading lifetime income provider for retirees.
The Ethical Agency (TEA) narrowly defeated a number of other agencies in winning the digital marketing contract and are delighted to be well under way in helping to devise and define JUST SA’s digital marketing strategy and implementation thereof for 2023.
The Ethical Agency is the leading digital marketing agency in South Africa for sustainable organisations, amplifying their clientele’s brand communications through compelling visual design and effective, data-driven omni-channel marketing strategies.
How does The Ethical Agency approach marketing in the digital landscape?
The Ethical Agency focuses on data-backed strategies devised for growth – by synergising, seamless online experiences with advertising and authentic value-added content, TEA is able to drive more traffic and increase engagements between brands and their audiences.
“Marketing successfully through digital channels is simpler than it is often portrayed: if you put the necessary effort into orchestrating a positive, user-focussed experience at key contact points, people are going to effortlessly engage with your brand. Naturally, this drives brand awareness, conversions and ROI.”Brett Jefferson, CEO and creative director, The Ethical Agency
With decades of experience in their field, and a combined passion for sustainability and innovation, their team is equally committed to growing your business as it is to leaving the lightest possible footprint on the planet. Their agile team provides high-quality, inspired work with fast turnaround times and guaranteed results. Our company is powered by renewable energy as we strive to be a sustainable and ethical business!
Dominique Carter, head of the digital marketing team at TEA says “At TEA, we’re proud to be a digital marketing agency that’s not only passionate about helping our clients grow their businesses, but also deeply committed to sustainability and ethical practices. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative solutions that drive results by truly understanding the needs and goals of our clients. We firmly believe that, with the right approach, business growth and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Who are Just SA?
Just SA challenge you to “rethink retirement” – as trusted retirement income specialists, they provide unique and diverse retirement income options to the South African market. Just SA are a subsidiary of the Just Group, a UK-listed entity. Just SA are proudly the only life insurance company in South Africa that offers underwriting at retirement. With a commitment to securing your financial future, Just SA offer life annuities that provide a guaranteed lifelong income, ensuring you never outlive your assets. South Africans are choosing Just SA for their innovative range of sustainable lifetime income solutions that are tailored to meet your specific retirement needs.
Other digital marketing clients that The Ethical Agency services.
The Ethical Agency provides a range of digital marketing services to a variety of clients including GreenCape, Water Integrity Network, Southern Hemisphere, Ecolution Consulting, Bridges for Music and African Impact Foundation.
In this year’s Travel Indaba, there was The Hidden Gems pavilion – a dedicated platform for small tourism enterprises to showcase their tourism products and services to buyers attending Africa’s Travel Indaba – giving them access to markets. One of those gems is Beyond Infinity Travel & Tours based in Bloemfontein in Free State province.
Lifestyle and Tech sat with founder and manager Ncebi Mkabane for an interview.
Tell us a bit about your business.
Beyond Infinity Travel was founded in 2016. The business has two units – the travel agency side where we offer flight bookings, car rental and shuttle service; the other unit is a tour operator of safaris and township tours. We are based in Bloemfontein, Free State – the centre of South Africa.
Seven years in operation – what has helped survive especially during COVID?
We believe that our reason being in business is to help our customers create memories. When things shut down during COVID we decided to change customer’s perceptions that they can create memories within the city and province. That’s when we introduced a service where organise kid’s parties at Masselsproot Resort and/or at local parks. We also introduced a Gin-Route – a day tour that takes place at Franklin Game Reserve to the top of Naval Hill. This day tour has become our most popular product – growing month to month. We also started doing tours that are syllabus-based for scholars.
These products have helped increase our turnover back to ‘normal’ [referring to pre-covid]. We are working hard to improve.
On Being part of Africa Travel Indaba
We applied to the Hidden Program via the Department of Tourism – submitted all documents required and motivated why we should be chosen as one of the 123 ‘hidden gems’ of South Africa in Tourism. The process was online and straightforward.
Being at here [at Indaba] has been an amazing experience – connecting with industry players that we easily have access to. Since being here, we’ve been able to open accounts with accommodation establishments which helps with managing cashflow. We’ve even gotten new customers through some of the meetings scheduled for us. The highlight has been being introduced to sports tourism which I wasn’t exposed to before. We’ve reached an agreement with a direct tour operator from overseas country I prefer not to mention at this point – for us to be one of their ground handlers in SA.
During the opening of the Indaba Ms Patricia De Lille emphasised the importance of supporting small enterprises within the sector to sustain its growth. Mkabane’s business, Beyond Infinity Travel & Tours employs three full time employees.
What better way to celebrate World Cocktail Day than with an award-winning cocktail at Stella Café & Bar at Southern Sun The Cullinan where you can enjoy your favourite apéritif or try something new with 50% off all cocktails?
World Cocktail Day is a global celebration which marks the publication date of the first definition of a cocktail on 13 May 1806. On this day the New York tabloid defined a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters”.
In December 2022, Mark Abrahams, Southern Sun The Cullinan’s renowned barman won top honours in the Best Cocktail category at the Distell Inter Hotel Challenge with his ASPRIS ’93 which was named in honour of his aspirations to achieve all goals with a purpose since 1993.
Mark has graciously shared his Aspris ’93 cocktail recipe which is best enjoyed in a Coupe glass:
37,5 ml Van Ryn’s 12YO brandy
25 ml cellulose solution
20 ml simple syrup
12,5 ml ClemenGold® juice (keep peel aside)
10 ml Amaretto liqueur
20 ml apple juice
5 ml fresh lime juice
Garnish: Edible flowers
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake for 20 to 30 seconds. Strain contents removing ice and dry shake (10 – 15 secs). Squeeze fresh oils from ClemenGold® peel into glass. Double strain and pour into chilled glass. Garnish with edible flowers. Serve, enjoy and drink responsibly.
Cheers! See you on Saturday, 13 May 2023 at Stella Café & Bar for half price cocktails. Ts and Cs apply. Visit:
Hyde Park Corner is where The Jameson Distillery on Tour Winter Edition kicks off this May. the amazing process behind every drop of triple distilled, smooth tasting of Jameson Whiskey will be revealed to whiskey lovers… and those who are whiskey-curious too!
The Jameson Distillery on Tour Experience hosts a series of tailored, interactive experiences highlighting Jameson’s Irish heritage and craft that stretches over 240 years, hosted by knowledgeable brand ambassadors who embody the jovial Jameson spirit.
The experience is packed with explosive sensory moments, rich flavours and ample space for making new connections all on the roof top of one of Johannesburg’s most iconic shopping centres! The tour allows every guest to truly experience what makes Jameson Irish Whiskey unique. Grab a bite to eat at one of Hyde Park Corner’s many restaurants or enjoy a more casual meal from the sensational food trucks at the event. Of course, a night out wouldn’t be the same without some A-list local music acts. Click here to view the full music line-up for each day.
Now is the time to save the date, find the perfect outfit (hint: Hyde Park Corner is a fashion mecca, so we’ve got you covered there) and join us to discover Jameson like you’ve never experienced it before. The Jameson Distillery on Tour is the ultimate whiskey immersion for enthusiasts and novices alike, through tailored, interactive experiences which reveal the process behind creating the world’s smoothest Irish whiskey.
VENUE: Hyde Park Corner Rooftop, corner of William Nicol Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue in Hyde Park
DATES: Open Thursday, 18 May to Sunday, 21 May 2023 and Thursday, 25 May to Sunday, 28 May
Samsung Electronics has unveiled its 2023 lineup of Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, Samsung OLED and sound devices and monitors at its Unbox & Discover 2023 event, showcasing the latest innovations in premium viewing, gaming experiences, smart connectivity and sustainability initiatives. Under the tagline “More Wow than Ever,” Samsung’s 2023 lineup is set to impress consumers.
So far, Samsung has launched the flagship TV line-up in a couple of countries across the globe. Now, Samsung is ready to launch these TVs in the South African market as the company has just opened up early orders in the country. Consumers can early order the Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and OLED TVs and get up to R15 000 in store vouchers, plus The Freestyle smart projector package which includes a carry case and a battery base, as well as Signature Service. This offer is redeemable in-store, may vary by participating models and is valid from 21 April to 04 June 2023 (T’s & C’s apply) [1].
This year’s lineup focuses on enhancing the user experience by making complex technologies more intuitive and seamlessly integrated into people’s lives, while delivering impeccable picture and sound quality consumers expect from Samsung screens.
“At Samsung, we understand that technology should empower and enhance people’s lives, not complicate them,” said Mike van Lier, Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics. “By choosing Samsung, consumers can expect to experience an unparalleled level of wow factors, all while participating in eco-conscious practices for a sustainable future.”
1 – More Choice with Premium Screens: Neo QLED 8K and Samsung OLED
Samsung OLEDNEO QLED 8K
At Unbox & Discover 2023, Samsung unveiled products and features designed to deliver innovative 8K experiences. The QN900C sits at the top of Samsung’s premium Neo QLED 8K lineup and is a standout model in the premium TV category. With groundbreaking technologies like Auto HDR Remastering and 8K AI upscaling, the QN900C is impressing industry experts and reviewers alike.
Auto HDA Remastering
From true-to-life picture quality to immersive audio, Samsung has once again set the bar high with its Neo QLED 8K. Samsung offers 85” & 75” QN900C Model on its Neo QLED 8K lineup, providing immaculate colour reproduction and life-like level of details in a scale that offers true cinematic experience. It offers upgraded sound with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony 3.0 to further envelope viewers in every single scene.
Additionally, Samsung spoke to its efforts in expanding the 8K ecosystem by working closely with various partners, including the 8K Association. Together, Samsung is introducing more ways to enjoy native 8K content than ever before.
Samsung also highlighted its 2023 Samsung OLED lineup, which offers immaculate color accuracy through Neural Quantum Processor 4K’s perceptional color mapping – making Samsung OLED the “World’s First Pantone-Validated HDR OLED.”
In fact, Samsung OLED boasts true blacks and stunningly natural pictures with perfect contrast and color expression. The S95C features Samsung’s signature Infinity One design, and the LaserSlim design of the S90C model adds a touch of sophisticated metal finish.
2 – Putting Gaming at the Forefront with Gaming TVs
Premium screens, from Neo QLED 8K to OLED and beyond, not only bring video and photo content to life in ultra-high resolution but can also bring screen experiences like gaming to a whole new level. Gaming on a Neo QLED 8K provides a unique level of immersive gameplay, from the large screen to high-performance graphic cards that support 8K resolution at fast pace.
3 – Solutions for Your Tailor-made Life: Five Foundations of SmartThings
Samsung underscores its commitment to calm tech and innovation, providing consumers with the latest technologies that make life better. In particular, the company has introduced five core foundations of SmartThings, which aims to provide increased convenience when setting up their smart homes.
Instant Connection: SmartThings enables users to easily connect their devices in just one step, allowing them to enjoy the synergy created by Samsung devices more easily.
Automated Connection: SmartThings automatically connects devices, like TVs or smartphones, with other Samsung devices such as the air conditioner, dryer, refrigerator, and washer, eliminating the need for manual setup.
Hub Everywhere: The IoT hub is built into various Samsung products, including Samsung Smart TVs, making IoT setup a breeze.
Expansive Compatibility: SmartThings goes beyond just the Samsung ecosystem, enabling devices from any brand to work seamlessly together thanks to the Home Connectivity Alliance and the international IoT communication standard, MATTER.
Security: With CC EAL 6+ certification, the new Samsung Knox Vault hardware chip encrypts all information from connected devices, ensuring the highest level of security and offering peace of mind for users.
Understanding consumers have diverse technology ecosystems in their homes, Samsung helped form the Home Connectivity Alliance so all users’ favorite devices can work together regardless of brand. And in the name of true connectivity, Samsung is also paving the way for smarter homes with support for MATTER, an international IoT communication standard with more than 220 global companies involved.
Thanks to this collaborative mindset and these five foundations, users can build a network of connected devices that makes their home smarter and their lives easier.
4 – Putting People and Planet at the Center: Everyday Sustainability and Relumino
Samsung is committed to delivering innovative calm tech and eco-conscious practices that make life easier and better for its users. At every stage of the product lifecycle, from product sourcing to production, distribution, use and recycling, Samsung puts sustainability first, utilizing various technologies to create sustainable products that contribute to building a healthier planet for future generations.
Samsung is leading the way with three innovative approaches to sustainability: Turning CO2 into recycled materials, using fewer materials, and upcycling products and packaging. Samsung’s 2023 TVs, monitors, and remote controls use recycled resin made of at least 50% recycled materials. In addition, Samsung has made significant efforts to ensure it is offering sustainable packaging from the box to all the wrapping inside.
Samsung has also developed AI Energy Mode that helps users monitor energy consumption and usage patterns, putting them in control of themselves. AI Energy Mode feature even analyzes the content playing on the screen to reduce power consumption without distracting from the content.
Samsung’s third generations SolarCell Remote uses fewer materials and is more compact. It is also free of licensing, allowing any manufacturer to join Samsung on the journey in making the world a more eco-conscious place.
3 Resin contains a minimum of 50% recycled content. (Environmental Claim Validation Procedure, UL 2809 5th Edition)
Samsung also underscores its commitment to creating a better, more inclusive viewing experience for all with its latest Relumino mode. Relumino mode is designed to help people with visual impairments watch content more easily and has been awarded with the 2023 CES Innovation Award.
4 Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only.
By choosing Samsung, users can enjoy cutting-edge technology while taking part in sustainable and inclusive practices that align with core values of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).
If you believe the best way to experience a city or town is by being immersed into its culture – the Zula app is app for you!
The currently web-based is available on www.zulaapp.co.za . It offers tourists and travellers an opportunity to experience culture, explore spaces and escape into a world of township and rural tourism. You get to explore scenic sites, taste local cuisine and see the world through the eyes of local youth tourism graduates. They are registered tour guides, trained and supported to help you have a memorable experience.
On the Zula App you can choose an experience and be able to navigate the landscape of South Africa’s playground with ease.
Currently, only available in KwaZulu-Natal, tourists and travel enthusiasts can choose a tour such as the Golden Spice Tour hosted by Nkululeko who will plan your walkabout, schedule time and date and secure a safe meeting area.
ZulaApp is travel with impact. By using the app, not only are you contributing to the growth of that particular local economy, but you are also supporting a business owned by a young graduate that aspires to grow and lead the tourism sector.
Discovered at the 2023 Africa’s Tourism Indaba, the ZulaApp is innovation addressing the issue of high youth unemployment and that of travellers wanting to but find it difficult to access meaningful township, rural and cultural tourism experiences.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates [10 May 2023] Huawei Consumer BG held the HUAWEI P60 Series and Flagship Product Launch Event in Dubai, showcasing a new line up of flagship devices, including the HUAWEI P60 Pro, HUAWEI Mate X3, HUAWEI FreeBuds 5, HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate, HUAWEI MatePad 11-inch 2023, as well as HUAWEI MateBook X Pro and HUAWEI MateBook D 14
HUAWEI P60 Pro
“We have showcased a promising return with our back-to-back launches of flagship lineups, including the HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro last year, and the HUAWEI P60 Pro and HUAWEI Mate X3 today,” said Pablo Ning, President of Huawei Consumer BG, Middle East and Africa. “Even though our road ahead is still full of challenges, our investment in innovation will not change, nor will our determination to continue developing the Middle East and African markets. Huawei will never give up overseas markets and we remain committed to high-end global brand building. With all these flagship devices available locally, we are keen to provide the industry-leading and intelligent user experience to our customers.”
HUAWEI P60 Pro
The HUAWEI P60 Pro is a meticulously crafted design masterpiece that caters to photography enthusiasts. Inspired by 18th-century French art, its one-of-a-kind Rococo Pearl colourway exudes elegance and beauty with a unique texture derived from natural mineral pearl powder. Huawei combined modern manufacturing techniques with traditional artisanal methods to create a texture that is unique to every single piece of the HUAWEI P60 Pro. The phone also emphasises the photography aspect of the phone with its Eye of Light Design of the camera module. This integrates the essence of photography into its aesthetics.
The phone’s Ultra Lighting XMAGE Camera system is also a true game changer. With the 48-megapixel Ultra Lighting Telephoto Camera, users can zoom in on far-away objects in low light and take well-lit pictures with vivid colours and excellent details. Moreover, its Ultra Lighting Main Camera, with the largest F1.4 physical aperture in the industry, can let in a surprising amount of light to create stunning shots in low-lighting situations. Combined with the HUAWEI XD Fusion Texture Engine, this high level of light input allows the camera to capture exceptional detail across various lighting conditions. The HUAWEI P60 Pro has topped the DXOMARK Smartphone Camera rankings with a score of 156, for its technological breakthroughs in imaging.
The phone also boasts the highly durable Kunlun Glass, designed to withstand the rigours of daily use. This glass has undergone a high-temperature nanocrystal growth process, giving it ten times better drop resistance. The Kunlun Glass, along with the IP68 water resistance, ensures the longevity of the phone, making it as durable as it is stylish.
HUAWEI Mate X3
The HUAWEI Mate X3 is a big-screen foldable smartphone that sets a new standard for slim and lightweight design among foldables. It is the world’s thinnest and lightest foldable smartphone, with a thickness of just 11.08mm while folded and 5.3mm while unfolded. The phone is also incredibly lightweight, weighing just 239g. It achieves breakthrough weight reduction through the industry’s unique ultra-light and strong aluminium and ultra-light carbon fibre. Besides, the rounded, quad-curve body offers an unparalleled comfortable and smooth grip. This phone also makes some big breakthroughs in durability with its Kunlun Glass exterior screen and impact-resistant foldable interior screen. This innovative glass technology provides the device with enhanced durability and protection.
With the Ultra Vision XMAGE Camera, the HUAWEI Mate X3 also offers solid photography capabilities. Equipped with a 50 MP Ultra Vision Main Camera, a 13 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera, and a 12 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera that supports 5x optical zoom, the Mate X3 captures images with rich details and vibrant colours in all lighting conditions. In short, the HUAWEI Mate X3 delivers an unparalleled blend of design, durability, and camera performance, offering users an unparalleled large-screen smartphone experience.
HUAWEI FreeBuds 5
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 has been crafted to dazzle your senses, introducing a futuristic water drop-shaped design with seamless curves for optimal fit. Punchy bass, powered by the Ultra Magnetic Dynamic Driver, along with triple adaptive EQ, provides powerful and consistent acoustic performance. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 supports SuperCharge, enabling 2 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge. It gives consumers the benefit of advanced open-fit ANC, as well as AI call noise cancellation, which helps users have a distraction-free experience. And the dual device connection enables seamless audio transfers between two devices running Android, iOS, and Windows.
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate, the ultimate specimen of luxury smartwatches, features a Zirconium-based Liquid metal body, making it the hardest light alloy available. Its glass cover is made of durable, wear-resistant high-strength sapphire glass. Unprecedented in mainstream smartwatches, the WATCH Ultimate supports 100-meter water resistance and audio capabilities. Users enjoy a two-week battery life, including 24-hour heart rate monitoring, all-night sleep tracking, and 90 minutes of daily exercise. Compatible with iOS and Android devices, the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate offers broad compatibility across operating systems.
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro, the elegantly-designed high-performing flagship laptop, is designed for people who prefer an elegant, lightweight, yet powerful device for their productivity needs. Crafted with a skin-soothing metallic body made from magnesium alloy, the laptop weighs a mere 1.26 kg. Equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core processor, this laptop delivers unparalleled performance, further bolstered by the 30W Performance Mode. The 14.2-inch 3.1K HUAWEI Real Colour FullView Display delivers exceptional colour accuracy and clarity. It has also received the TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort 3.0 Certification. The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro’s Smart Conference features offer AI Camera and AI Sound to enable immersive and natural communication during online meetings.
HUAWEI MateBook D 14
The HUAWEI MateBook D 14 is a sleek looking high-performance laptop that boasts a powerful 13th generation Intel® Core™ i7-1360P processor to handle demanding tasks with ease. Its 180-degree hinge offers versatility in usage, while the advanced HUAWEI Metaline Antenna 2.0 ensures superior connectivity, enhancing productivity and collaboration. The laptop features a 14-inch Eye Comfort HUAWEI FullView Display with a 90% screen-to-body ratio, anti-glare protection, and TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification for an immersive viewing experience. Crafted with a durable aluminium alloy body, it exhibits a sophisticated, minimalist design and weighs a mere 1.39kg with a thickness of up to 15.9mm, making it an ideal on-the-go companion.
HUAWEI MatePad 11-inch 2023
The new HUAWEI MatePad 11-inch 2023 comes with a 120 Hz HUAWEI FullView Eye-Protect Display, offering smooth viewing, responsive touch controls, and low-latency handwriting input, making it an ideal device for entertainment and creativity. Certified by TÜV Rheinland for Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free technologies, the tablet ensures comprehensive eye protection. The device further enhances productivity with its support for the HUAWEI M-Pencil (2nd generation) and HUAWEI Smart Keyboard. They take the stylus and keyboard experience to a whole new level.
10 May 2022 in Durban. At the official launch of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023, Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s tourism minister, captivated the audience of more than 6,000 attendees, 1,000 international buyers, and 1,000 exhibitors displaying 350 items.
Indaba boasts exhibitors from 21 African countries, including 10 tourism boards and 123 Small Businesses sponsored by the Department of Tourism at R11.7 million to feature at the trade show as part of transformation efforts.
With a captive audience, de Lille spoke passionately on the importance of the industry, highlighting the need “for collaboration and innovation to drive growth in the sector.”
The Minister said competition is essential for destination marketing and tourism. However, “it should be balanced with collaboration to avoid unhealthy practices and foster healthy competition based on quality and innovation.”
She noted that harmonising visa regimes and simplifying the application process is vital for unlocking Africa’s tourism potential.
According to de Lille, collaboration across the value chain is necessary to make it easier for visitors to move from one country to another within the continent. South Africa, she added, “is leading the way with visa waivers for several African countries and the rollout of an e-visa system to countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt.” She promised that the goal “is to expand the e-visa system to 20 more countries, making Africa a more attractive destination for Africans and international travellers.
For South Africa, we have seen, she said, “encouraging growth in our tourist arrival numbers between January and December 2022, where it reached nearly 5.8 million with over 4 million of those arrivals from African countries.” This represents an overall inbound increase of 152.6% for South Africa compared to January to December 2021.
She bemoaned the dearth of celebrating together as Africans, calling for a special event to bridge the chasm of geography, language and culture amongst Africans. “We must stop bickering, “she added firmly.
“Our people across the continent of Africa are our greatest asset. As Africans, we must do more to break down the stereotypes by promoting cultural exchanges, celebrating excellence and diversity through song and dance and sharing various cuisines that make Africa the magnet of international tourists,” she insisted.
According to the Minister, the future looks bright; “we have, collectively, weathered the COVID-19 hurricane and it should only propel us to exceed our targets.”
She said Africa’s Travel Indaba offers an opportunity to “honour the African people’s incredible ingenuity, fortitude, and magnificence.”
Minister also encouraged local trade partners to participate in Sho’t Left Travel Week by providing discounted travel rates to locals to help boost domestic tourism efforts.
Mayor of Durban Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda told his attentive audience that Durban was honoured to host the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba, a premier trade show in Africa. Kaunda said eThekwini Municipality has identified meetings, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and business travel as its area of focus for post-COVID-19 recovery. Recent statistics, he revealed, “show that the sector [in Durban] will recover to 95% of the 2019 job levels.”
In addressing safety and security concerns, he announced that the city has implemented tough security measures to increase safety, including recruiting 400 Metro Police Officers annually and partnering with community crime-fighting structures and business forums.
“Major investment projects, such as the R600m Platinum Walk at Oceans Mall and the R8 billion Westown development, are expected to boost local tourism,” he said.
He appealed for cooperation and partnership with the private sector. “The city is working closely with product owners to offer affordable prices to boost tourism. Major international events, such as the World Table Tennis Championship Finals and the Hollywoodbets Durban July Experience, are expected to attract thousands of visitors and boost the sector’s recovery,” he added.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube underscored the importance of tourism in driving the province’s economic recovery, creating job opportunities, and narrowing the gap between the rich and poor. She welcomed all visitors to KwaZulu-Natal and wished them a pleasant stay in the province. She received the greatest ululation when she announced that Durban would soon become the permanent home of Africa’s Travel Indaba 40 years after its launch.
Siboniso Duma, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, said, “Africa’s Travel Indaba presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of Africa through the connections made over the next three days.”
He added, “This event plays a vital role in expanding tourism across the continent while putting South Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal province on the map of Africa and the world.
The Honourable Patricia de Lille, Minister of tourist, called on tourist enterprises to sign up for the Sho’t Left Travel week, which is now accepting registrations, during her opening remarks at the Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI). A significant component of ATI, the campaign offers South Africans a seven-day promotion of reduced travel-related bargains and packages. During what is known as the GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN SALE, tourism businesses from all across the nation make a commitment to help the sector recover and expand by giving consumers services and goods at reasonable prices.
Ultimately the campaign aims to encourage South Africans to explore their own backyards and by doing so assists them in gaining a deeper and meaningful connection with Mzansi. “We encourage South Africans to be proud of their country by travelling locally throughout the year.” said Mashoto Mokgethi, Hub Head for South Africa.
Sho’t Left Travel week brings all tourism businesses together allowing them to collaborate towards a common goal of growing the tourism industry, in particular increasing domestic holiday trips. To register, businesses are encouraged to upload a variety of experiences with discounts of up to 50% to generate leads on their deals and increase booking enquiries
To register, the tourism trade must visit www.shotleft.co.za/travelweek now to take advantage of the extensive media exposure that will be generated through various platforms.
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