Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

) Indirect income generation
Suggestions in this regard include:
1) Products that could be sold to tourists;
2) Potential venues for the sale of goods to tourists;
3) Other activities whereby members could generate income because of tourism
development (such as ceremonial dancing); and
4) The possibility that the tourism development could act as a catalyst for
ancillary or secondary businesses to develop.
1) The sale of crafts, curios and food
The selling of crafts and curios was seen as an opportunity for enterprising
individuals to generate income for themselves. This includes handicapped
people, who could 'earn a living through this'. Examples of possible commodities
cited include brooms and grass mats. The importance of capitalising on the
potential for selling curios and crafts was emphasised.
The sale of traditional Swazi food is another avenue for such enterprise: A curio
shop is needed', said one woman, 'but this must include bananas, pineapples
and guavas.' Other possible foodstuffs include porridge, traditional Swazi Brew
(Tchwala) and boganu (when the Marula fruit is in season). 87 The possibility of
selling the tourists food stuffs 'which will not go rotten', such as maize meal to
make porridge, was also raised.
Some members indicated that making or learning how to make crafts that tourists
would like could improve the marketability of their products. They said that such
activities could be done both collectively and on an individual basis. The
possibility was raised of getting skilled individuals who could train the people of
Shewula to do sculpting, pottery and beadwork. It was felt that it would be
preferable if those who were to train residents produced these goods on a
commercial basis themselves.
2) Venues for the sale of goods produced
Various places were identified as potential sites for selling wares and produce.
These included along the roadside in Shewula, at the proposed tourism
development, at the entrance to the proposed reserve, and at a central place
other than the accommodation facilities for tourists. Some suggested that a
central place would be better, because if it was to take place along the main road
in Shewula, the places which tourists pass through first (such as Nduma) would
get all the customers. Others suggested that the operator could buy the crafts to
sell to tourists, or the community could sell them directly from a stall at or near
the tourism development or reserve entrance(s). One woman indicated that if the
goods were sold at the tourism development, this could mean better security and
fewer losses due to theft.
3) Traditional song and dance displays
The potential of using activities such as traditional dancing to generate income
was emphasised: 'After all, this is still an economic activity!' It was mentioned that
school children could be involved in such displays. Such dancing would have to
be organised; and people indicated that the location for such performances
should be chosen in accordance with what the tourists would like.