By Sibusiso Mboto

Pietermaritzburg, the KwaZulu-Natal capital, has abundant historical monuments and sites within its townships to ensure a constant flow of tourists to the area, but this has not happened.

However, the newly formed UMsunduzi Tourism Association aims to change this by creating awareness among the locals about the need to use such sites to their benefit.

The association's head Dumisani Mhlongo believes that the huge attendance by the public yesterday was an indication of people's eagerness to get involved.

Tavern owners, individuals who want to enter the bed and breakfast trade and those seeking to be tour guides were part of the public launch.

"There has been this perception that tourism is the sole preserve of white people but through this initiative we aim to change that and hopefully bring about growth and development in our townships," said Mhlongo.

One of the townships here, Edendale, boasts a school called Georgetown named after a British settler George Grey. There is also one of the oldest mosques in Pietermaritzburg.

This township also has a house where Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius is said to have lived during the 1800s. Such memorials are regarded as rare, something that the association is hoping to capitalise on.

These will form part of the "Edendale and Imbali Heritage and Freedom Route" flagship projects that will eventually involve other areas.

"Edendale is one of the few places where there is a fusion of sites from different cultural backgrounds, we believe that there is a plenty of potential for the entire initiative to be a success," said Mhlongo.

The association has already established contact with the Soweto Tourism Association and through interaction; they hope to pick up a few tips on how tourism in townships can succeed.

In addition, as part of capacity building, the association has signed an agreement with the local Umgungundlovu FET College that will see members receiving training in different aspects of tourism.

Source: BuaNews