“Our university has taken quite a strategic and a very profound strategic vision – which is to be a node for African thought.”
This was the opening remark by Nolwazi Mabaleka, a lecturer and WIL coordinator in the Department of Recreation and Tourism (DRT) at Richards Bay Campus. She was speaking during the recent International World Tourism Day Webinar hosted by the University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) Department of Recreation and Tourism.
Held in celebration of World Tourism Day, the virtual discussion saw five panellists and one respondent talking about the current state of the tourism industry and what lies ahead. In the list of panellists was Dr Glorious Gumbo, a senior lecturer in the University of Botswana’s Department of History; Nombulelo Shange, a sociology lecturer at the University of Free State; Monwabisi Silwana, a lecturer in the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Department of Tourism and Events; Dr Lacus Mafu, the head of UNIZULU’s English Department who has an interest in nationalism, identity, and ethnicity; Zethu Gqola, a marketing strategist in the music industry headquartered in Cape Town. Recreation and Tourism Department academic Professor Ikechukwu Ezeuduji was the respondent.
The standout presentations were by Dr Gumbo and Dr Mafu. Dr Gumbo provided his scholarly opinion on the definition of tourism and highlighted community issues relating to tourism. He noted that Botswana’s tourism industry is a vital part of its economy, known for its rich natural attractions and wildlife. He added that tourism had significantly contributed to diversifying Botswana’s economy. According to the scholar, one of the biggest sectors, contributing 10.5% of the GDP, is the tourism sector.
Dr Mafu discussed tourism from an African perspective. He asked people to learn about the tourism industry and recognise the economic contributions it makes, particularly in Botswana. “Tourism is one of those industries that are very unique and complex,” he said.
As the webinar drew to a close, Dr Samukelisiwe Nkwanayana, a senior lecturer in the DRT, was requested to give the vote of thanks. She expressed how delighted she was that the webinar had been hosted and called for more conversations of this nature in the future.
“We really need to engage further in these discussions. So, thank you so much to all the panellists, the respondent, programme director and all the participants,” Dr Nkwanyana said.
– Sbahle Dumakude
Pictures: Xolani Ncube