View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
had been created. The findings <strong>of</strong> the study however could confirm the claim <strong>of</strong> public<br />
participation with significant certainty.<br />
After its dissolution for a long time, the Community Tourism Association (CTA) had been<br />
reconstituted early this year to steer the affairs <strong>of</strong> tourism in Ulundi. Being an important<br />
component <strong>of</strong> economic development, the municipal budget ought to make provision for<br />
tourism in the future budget. The District, with particular refe!"ence to Ulundi, has a number<br />
<strong>of</strong>outstanding primary attractions, many <strong>of</strong>which have still not been appropriately developed<br />
and packaged to confer local economic benefits. It is useful to understand what the main<br />
attractions <strong>of</strong> <strong>Zululand</strong> are before (refer to chapter five) seeking to match product<br />
development opportunities with those attractions based on tourism market demand.<br />
Ulundi is different from some <strong>of</strong> its neighbouring municipalities in that it is not a coastal<br />
destination and cannot <strong>of</strong>fer coastal tourism experiences. The Ulundi Local Municipality falls<br />
across two relatively well-known tourism destinations (i.e., the battlefields and the broad<br />
coastal area <strong>of</strong> northern KwaZulu-Natal known by the market as <strong>Zululand</strong>). The ZDM<br />
acknowledged Ulundi as the cultural core <strong>of</strong> the district and all tourism activity should be<br />
focused on the theme <strong>of</strong> it being the birthplace <strong>of</strong>the Zulu Nation, incorporating some <strong>of</strong>the<br />
richest historical sites in Africa, wildlife and living cultures. The Emakhosini development,<br />
the airport and the P700 link to the Cengeni Gate <strong>of</strong> Hluhluwe - Umfolozi Park should be<br />
prioritised as anchor projects.<br />
The Provincial Department <strong>of</strong>Economic Development in collaboration with the Office <strong>of</strong>the<br />
Premier (the leading agent) sees the Emakhosini Ophathe development as having high labour<br />
absorption during the construction and infrastructure development phase.<br />
Preferential procurement must be instituted in the hospitality operations. The tribal authority<br />
<strong>of</strong>Mpungose is prospective participant and active stakeholder as the protected area <strong>of</strong>Opathe<br />
Emakhosini includes a section <strong>of</strong> these tribal areas. This approach also calls for business<br />
linkages with private game reserves. Since over 40% land <strong>of</strong> the ZDM is in the Traditional<br />
Authority whereby land is usually held by the Ngonyama Trust, traditional lands with high<br />
222
Change language