Not just a destination!

Heritage isn't just a September thing, right... anyway, as you might have seen on my socials, I spent Heritage Day exploring Cape Town as a tourist, learning more about its history and taking in the places and stories that make it what it is. The commentary on the Red Bus is actually so good.....It really immerses you in the experience. It reminded me how much I love and appreciate South Africa’s tourism sector: our landscapes, food, languages, people and the histories that make every place worth discovering.

It also brought me back to the theme of the SBI SMME Indaba I attended on Wednesday, 23rd September: “More than a destination: Reimagining Tourism for Growth and Jobs.” During Heritage Month, that conversation feels especially close to home.

And how can we talk about our heritage without talking about our national parks? South Africa has 21 national parks, each with its own marvel. They protect places and stories that belong to all of us, and they give us so much to be proud of as South Africans.

I feel privileged that, through our programmes at I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR, I get to work with the parks across the country. One of those programmes provides interest-free purchase order funding to qualifying SMMEs supplying SANParks. When an entrepreneur wins an order but needs funding to fulfil it, that support can help turn an opportunity into actual business.

Our parks show just how closely tourism, heritage and entrepreneurship are connected. People travel to experience these places. Along the way, they need transport, accommodation, food, activities and many other services. I want more local businesses to be able to participate in those opportunities, earn income, and create jobs in the communities around our destinations.

Funding is part of that work, but there is still so much more to do. Are local SMMEs aware of the opportunities available to them? Can they meet the requirements? Do they have the skills, equipment and support to deliver consistently and grow from one contract to the next?

As citizens, our choices matter too. Every shuttle booked, hotel stay, guided activity, restaurant meal or purchase from a local business contributes to the tourism economy. My day exploring Cape Town was a reminder that we can celebrate our heritage by going out to experience it, while supporting the people whose work makes those experiences possible.

South Africa is more than a destination. Its parks, tourist destinations and communities hold so much for us to discover, protect and celebrate. And with the right opportunities, tourism can be a place where many more entrepreneurs grow.

Yours in exploring South Africa and opening doors for its entrepreneurs,

The Business Doctor Keitumetse Lekaba