Representatives from CALM, MTPA, and CALLTO during a meeting to identify practical interventions to strengthen tourism in the municipality.
The Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM) has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the municipality as a preferred tourism destination by strengthening partnerships with key tourism stakeholders and implementing initiatives aimed at growing the local economy.
Municipal Manager Ephraim Thabethe, accompanied by Local Economic Development (LED) Manager Elias Thomo and representatives of the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Tourism Organisation (CALLTO), recently met with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), led by Executive Manager for Biodiversity Conservation Nomcebo Kunene, and her team.
The meeting, held at the municipality’s Supply Chain Boardroom in Carolina, focused on enhancing collaboration and identifying practical interventions to boost tourism across the municipality.
Opening the meeting, Thabethe described tourism as a critical pillar of Local Economic Development (LED), saying the sector has the potential to create jobs, stimulate investment and improve livelihoods if supported by adequate infrastructure.
“Tourism has been identified as a key sector of Local Economic Development. If it is prioritised by all stakeholders, it has the potential to address socio-economic challenges such as unemployment. However, infrastructure remains a critical component of the tourism value chain,” said Thabethe.
Kunene outlined the MTPA’s ongoing efforts to promote the municipality’s tourism assets, including the internationally recognised Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site and the Songimvelo Nature Reserve.
She also raised concerns over challenges affecting these attractions, including illegal mining, deteriorating infrastructure and encroachment near protected areas.
She warned that illegal mining poses a serious threat to the Outstanding Universal Value of the Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site.
“If these illegal activities are not controlled, we risk losing the World Heritage Site status because its Outstanding Universal Value is what makes it globally significant,” she said.
The meeting also highlighted several upcoming tourism initiatives aimed at attracting visitors to the area. Among them is the Tubane Strive Festival, scheduled to take place from September 23 to 25.
The festival will feature marathons, fun walks and a range of outdoor activities designed to promote the municipality as an adventure and eco-tourism destination.
Stakeholders also discussed environmental education programmes, with the MTPA committing to work closely with local communities to promote peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife while addressing challenges associated with human settlements located near protected conservation areas.
As part of strengthening institutional cooperation, the municipality and CALLTO renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), extending the partnership until July 2029. The renewed agreement will focus on tourism marketing, destination branding, product development and coordinated promotional activities aimed at increasing visitor numbers and supporting local tourism businesses.
The meeting concluded with a commitment by all stakeholders to hold quarterly engagements to monitor progress, address emerging challenges and coordinate efforts to strengthen tourism development and marketing across the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality.
