Black-owned tourism ventures thrive due to grants
Jozini Tiger Lodge was one of the Tourism Transformation Fund’s flagship projects at Africa’s Travel Indaba
Thapelo Msimang was one of the youngest exhibitors at the annual Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban last week that was attended by thousands of delegates from South Africa and Africa’s travel establishments. The 27-year-old events and conference centre manager at the Jozini Tiger Lodge was there to market his establishment. Located along the banks of Lake Jozini with views of the Lebombo Mountains, it offers luxurious accommodation and leisure activities such as fishing and game cruises. The lodge was opened only a few years ago, thanks to a R28m grant from the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF), a joint initiative of the department of tourism and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) aimed at increasing the participation of black people in the tourism industry by funding and mentoring their ventures. Jozini Tiger Lodge is jointly owned by a consortium of local communities, including women and the youth, and employs only local people, creating 28 direct jobs. Msimang said they could not...
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