Cashing in on the booming tourism trade

Durban, Africa’s Kingdom of the Zulu with its bewitching seaside and wealth of cultures, beckons to visitors both locally and internationally. To offer a broad array of unforgettable experiences for the visitor, Cato Manor is being developed as a brand and a must see destination for the tourist. Two things are currently happening in the development of tourism in Cato Manor.

Firstly, a section 21 company called Cato Manor Tourism is being
formulated to develop and market Cato Manor as a tourism brand.

The company will also be responsible for fundraising and the daily
administration of the Tourism Office at Intuthuko Junction.

Although it is not yet formally registered, the company is already engaged in the affairs relating to tourism in Cato Manor.

Tourism-related businesses are also being set by members of the
community to take advantage of the growing tourism trade. Cato Manor is rich in history as such a trail is being developed to cater for visitors who are interested in politics, education, the environment and learn lessons from the urban development programme.

To kick start the marketing of the brand an open day was held on the 4th of October to introduce tour operators to Cato Manor as a tourist destination. The open day also served as a window for people in the tourism industry. More than twenty operators showed up.

During the open day, the tour operators caught a glimpse of Cato Manor as a product to sell to the tourist. Traditional music groups, oral historians,

traditional food caterers, art crafters were all invited to showcase their wares.

As part of the marketing exercise tour operators from various parts of Durban will be taken on a tour of the area so that they get a feel of the market.

In conjunction with the formation of the tourism company a new association consisting of community members known as the Cato Manor Tourism Business Association has been established. The association will build capacity of its members to enable them to provide a professional service to visiting tourists.

Part of the mandate that the association has is to safeguard the interests and serve the needs of its members. On the other hand it will be a link between the Section 21 company and the community. There are two members of the association that will serve on the board of directors of the section 21 company.

“The priority is building an organisation that is strong on skills and
professionalism.” said Mlondi Manzini, the chairperson of the association.

Members of the association are encouraged to develop their business in ways that will convince the tourist to spend money and help to boost the local economy.

Mazwi’s Diary

Put community interests first!

Just over a month ago an embarrassing incident occurred in a public meeting at KwaMasixhawulane. The purpose of the meeting was to address residents about the imminent socio-economic survey to be undertaken by Metro Housing. Communitiy leaders had different opinions which ended in physical blows being exhanged.

IZWI would not like to mention the names of the people involved, but we voice our disgust that leaders should resort to exchanging blows in a public meeting in full view of their constituents.

We have learnt that the leaders involved have not appeared before any disciplinary body within the political party or the civic organisation that they represent.

Without much ado, we are demanding that the matter be given priority, otherwise mayhem and chaos will prevail.

Secondly we have learnt that two organisations that alleges to have the community’s interests at heart have been engaged in a mudslinging contest over loss of equipment. The argument has resulted in one of them being evicted from the building at the old Chesterville clinic in Mahlathi Road. This building belongs to the community of Chesterville.

IZWI is challenging the leadership of this township to resolve the matter as soon as possible because it stands to undo all the good work that has been done to assist the sick and the poor.
We are also asking them to take stock of all the facilities that are not being used and disperse them among the various service providers without fear or favour.

Good news for subsidy applicants

People who depend on PHB subsidies for their housing needs may take joy in knowing that the Housing Minister took a decision in April this year to increase the housing subsidy.

Single parents-both male and female with dependents will be glad to know that they may not have to pay the compulsory contribution of R2 479 which adds to the subsidy. This concession is also applicable to the aged and the disabled who fall below the R800 per month income limit.

The aged and the disabled are defined as a person who receives a state pension. However the applicant must meet the criteria for the application of a housing subsidy.

The new housing subsidy scheme will come into effect to Manor when the subsidy applications for the Umkhumbane & Wiggins Infill and Cato Crest Central Housing have been finalised.