Hilton - uMngeni Municipality showcased what the KwaZulu-Natal’s Midlands in Howick and surrounding areas have to offer in tourism as it prepares to welcome thousands visitors over the festive season.
uMngeni, known as a premier wedding destination, a home for the most prestigious private schools in southern Africa and for its rich history including the famous Mandela Capture site, will be hoping to make the most of its tourism attractions by luring visitors to boost its thriving local economy.
During the festive season launch which took place on Friday, at the Howick Falls, the municipality’s leadership said while the renowned Mandela Capture site was among the most visited places, there were many areas to explore.
Among tourism hotspots they counted the inviting Highgate Wine Estate, Piggly Wiggly and Nottingham Brewery which is part of Midlands Meander which is a tourist route from Hilton to Mooi River and Mpophomeni Township.
To promote tourism, the municipality had launched uMngeni Tourism earlier this year which was mandated to organise all the small businesses into one so they can get exposure from other tourism partners.
uMngeni Mayor Christopher Pappas said they have everything to offer, from luxury hotels, spa, lodges, wine estate and beer and Midmar Dam to cool off on a hot summer day.
He boasted that the Midlands was strategically located and easy to navigate. “We are a few minutes away from Pietermaritzburg Regional Airport and four hours from Johannesburg. If you plan to visit other places you may reconsider your options because uMngeni will offer you a memorable trip.
From the top hotels, handcrafts and classic restaurants which are majority owned by small businesses, we are ready to offer all that, he said.
It was the first time the municipality was launching its plans and Pappas said tourism was one of the industries they have established to focus on to boost the local economy.
He said they doubled the budget for the tourism sector in the current financial year.
“The launch of uMngeni Tourism helped us to organise tourism in the region so that we deal with them as one sector. We are now able to liaise with tourism KZN and other entities to put uMngeni on the map. We have had events that brought millions in our local events. We have invested in research so that we invest in areas where there will be economic spin-off and job creation, not something that looks good in the public eye,” he said.
With crime being a threat to tourism, Pappas said they have formed a partnership with private security and SAPS to ensure all visitors feel safe.
He said the municipality has capacitated its traffic department with more cars and increased security in tourism hotspots to make sure everyone was safe. Explaining the projections for the expected numbers and economic spin-off, Sandile Mnikathi, deputy mayor, said they had a robust marketing and promotion campaign that he hoped would yield positive results.
He said thousands of visitors were expected which would translate to millions in revenue for the benefit of local businesses. He said the unique experience that could not be found anywhere in the country such as Nottingham Road, Howick Fall and Mpophomeni Township would be a drawcard for the municipality.
“We have a number of small businesses especially in craft, horse-riding and many outdoor activities that complement the summer season. We want to have as many visitors as possible to come and spend their money here so we can sustain this thriving tourism hub,” he added. Various businesses that were expecting visitors said they were ready to host visitors come December.
Frank Mchunu, of Mpophomeni Tourism Gateway Centre which is located on the R617 which links Howick and Drakensberg, said they would serve as a resting place for visitors who may be travelling to the Drakensberg.
He said they offer coffee shops, shisanyama and handcraft owned by local businesses. The area also provides tour guides for visitors who may wish to explore the historic Mpophomeni Township which was established in the 1660s.
“We are hoping to host people who will be passing by, we will offer refreshments and entertainment because we are located on the main road en route to the Drakensberg down to Cape Town. This place has been refurbished and has an attractive look to make sure it catches the eyes of those who will be travelling down,” he said.
Zamo Zuma who owns the Zanos Lifestyle Shisanyama was one of the thriving small business that has made a name in the Mpophomeni Township.
Zuma adopted an illegal dumping site in the township which he converted into a shisanyama restaurant. He said through the marketing support from the municipality, his spot was already receiving booking for year-end functions for corporates who wish to experience township hospitality.
“We are good to go for the festive season, our staff and entertainers have been working hard to offer a memorable service to our patrons.
“For anyone who is visiting uMngeni, Zanos is a place not to miss if you want to taste good meat,” Zuma said.
Ivyon Zuma of Highgate Wine Estate said they offer a variety of wines which are different from the Cape wines which people were used to.
“We offer nice food to enjoy with wine. We have a range that is produced locally as per our weather condition. That makes our wine different from what many people are used to. We offer wedding venues, so if you are planning for a function this is a good place to be,” she said.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE