Sithembiso Madlala
OPINION - As we continue to process and try to accept the reality that our King is gone, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the KZN tourism industry to ukubhonga emswanini (convey heartfelt condolences) to the Zulu Royal family, the Zulu nation and all those who are in deep pain and mourning for the falling of the great tree, we say “ Uwile umuthi omkhulu.”
The passing on of His Majesty the King of the great Zulu nation has not only robbed the nation and the family of a father, but has also left a void in the battered tourism industry that will be hard to fill.
Ingonyama kaZulu left us at a time when the tourism industry is still trying to recuperate from the devastating impact of COVID19. We were looking forward to the support and wisdom that the King has provided over the years to help us rebuild the industry
Just a week before the passing on of Umdlokombane, I, along with the rest of the Tourism KZN Board visited Isandlwana mountain and Rorke’s Drift battle sites where we were hosted by Umzinyathi District Municipality, the Umzinyathi District Development Agency and KwaCulture who shared with us their proposed projects aimed at reviving and restoring Isandlwane and other historical sites.
This was one of many engagements which are part of our tourism regeneration programme aimed at profiling and promoting rural and township destinations. The Isandlwane visit was a follow up, and a response to the call by Umtomdala, Ingonyama that something must be done to revive Isandlwana battlefield in particular as well as many other Zulu heritage and tourism destinations in KwaZulu Natal.
Ingonyama kaZulu shall be remembered for reviving traditional ceremonies such as the Reed ceremony and the Umkhosi Welembe which attract thousands of visitors and tourists.
The tourism industry is highly indebted to the Royal House and the late King for allowing the tourism industry to brand and profile our province as the “Zulu Kingdom”.
Associating and blending tourism with Zulu culture and heritage has had a profound impact on the growth and development of tourism in KZN. International and local tourists continue to flock to KZN to experience and enjoy the unique offering of the Zulu Kingdom, thanks to Ongangezwelakhe.
We are saddened by the sudden passing on of a visionary king, who in addition to embracing different cultures, also ensured that there was peace and stability in our province. The sad news, which reverberated across the globe and attracted international and local media, is an attestation of how revered our king was.
As the tourism sector we are looking forward to honouring the contributions of the King to KZN heritage and tourism development through collaboration with all stakeholders to make KZN the best tourist destination.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his eulogy to the king, aptly captured our sentiments where he said “ Isilo took it upon himself to restore two Zulu cultural activities that were no longer prominent as a result of colonial interference, namely Umkhosi wo Mhlanga, the annual Reed Dance, and Umkhosi Wo kweshwama, the Ceremony of the First Fruits. Through his cultural revival programme, His Majesty helped to turn this province into a cultural jewel and a compelling tourism destination”.
As the tourism industry we owe it to our late king to build a fully integrated and transformed sector that will attract tourists from diverse backgrounds to come and enjoy the beauty of our mountains, beaches and game.
The prevailing conditions brought by COVID-19 have inadvertently promoted KZN as a preferred domestic tourism destination, which has always been our strength and niche market. We are eternally grateful to our domestic tourists who continue to visit our province.
The industry continues to be inspired by the support we get from the KZN Government, especially our Premier Sihle Zikalala, who always encourages us to be creative and produce tangibles that will improve the quality of lives of the people of KZN. We must also pay tribute to the visionary leadership of our MEC, Ravi Pillay who continues to steer the tourism ship out of the COVID-19 doldrums.
We are counting on their leadership and support as we roll out the tourism projects aimed at advancing rural and townships tourism in partnership with District and Local Municipalities and their respective development agencies.
Perhaps the best way to honour the king who has left such an indelible mark, is to rise up, work together and rebuild the tourism industry that has been adversely affected by COVID-19. Let us find solace and inspiration from our king’s legacy to soldier on and rebuild an all-inclusive industry that resonates with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals motto “Leave No One Behind”.
I cannot overemphasize the potential that tourism has to revive the diverse KZN cultural heritage in general and the Zulu heritage in particular in honour of Ingonyama yamaZulu.
Tourism remains a critical catalyst for economic growth and employment creation. We draw strength and inspiration from the product owners who have been in the tourism sector for many years whose wisdom and experience have sustained the industry in KZN. Rebuilding the battered tourism sector and honouring the legacy of the late custodian of the Zulu culture and heritage (Unomthebe Wesizwe) calls for all of us to have a collective vision of where we want to take the province.
Leaving no one behind means that our tourism associations and Community Tourism Organizations (CTO) should be restructured to be more representative of all stakeholders and be focused on building a learning, growing and thriving KZN tourism sector. This will be the greatest honour to our fallen King Ongangezwe lakhe, who dedicated his life to building cultural bridges by embracing all cultures.
We shall continue to listen and create platforms for our people to tell their stories and relate their unique experiences that will enrich the cultural heritage of our province and attract more tourists to our diverse destinations.
The sun that set during the day on 12 March 2021 shall rise again in the mountains of Ukhahlamba and Isandlwane to warm the majestic grasslands of our province, the reverberating roars of lions and trumpeting sounds of elephants shall soothe the grieving hearts, the thick forests of Ingome and Inkandla shall hide our loss, the tears flowing from our weary tear ducts shall turn into waters of hope flowing through Uthukela and Umfolozi rivers, and the pristine seas shall wash away our sorrows.
The passing on of INgonyama shall reignite our sprit of Ubuntu as we work together to build a prosperous province that is the cultural jewel of South Africa and a compelling tourism destination.
Hamba kahle Hlanga Lomhlabathi.
Sithembiso Madlala is the Board chairperson for Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
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