Tourism and transformation in the South Africa’s former homelands : lessons and implications for Africa

• Published in: African renaissance 2019-09, Vol.16 (Special 3), p.93-108
• Main Authors: Tseane-Gumbi, L.A., Ani, Kelechi Johnmary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apartheid; Attractions; Chieftaincies; Cities; Content analysis; Destinations; Disadvantaged; Homelands; Insecurity; Marketing; Minority groups; Public private partnerships; Qualitative research; Resource management; Rural areas; Rural communities; Spatial analysis; Tourism; Tourist arrivals; Tourist attractions; Transformation; Tribal leaders; Undertourism
• ISSN: 1744-2532; 2516-5305
• DOI: 10.31920/2516-5305/2019/sin3a6

Tourism has become a driver of economic transformation in many countries of the globe. The challenges inherent include different forms of insecurity, poor resource management and undertourism. Undertourism is a serious concern in some parts of South Africa. Although the country‘s prime tourist attractions are situated in the rural areas, formally known as homelands. These homelands receive the lowest recognition and international tourist arrivals. Those that are popular are characterised with political struggle icons and events while neglecting chieftaincies‘ legacies. Though tourism exists in South Africa prior to 1994, it was centered on minority group. Unfortunately in the post 1994 era in South Africa, the homelands are progressively being neglected. In recent times, many previously disadvantaged groups in the former homelands continue to be excluded in tourism activities because tourism is still strong within the affluent class based areas of the country.. Extensive literature search was used to gather secondary information. The qualitative research design with content analysis was used to develop the study. The top forty attractions or land marks visited in South Africa in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were considered for the study. The study indicates that the majority of the top forty tourist attractions were situated in the City of Cape Town (35%), Western Cape Province, City of Durban (10%), Kwazulu Natal Province and City of Johannesburg in Gauteng Province and Hazyview (10%) in Mpumalanga Province respectively. The most visited attraction site is Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with 1 162 000 tourists in 2017. The study found that there is unequal spatial distribution, development, management and marketing of tourism in the South African tourism industry even after post-apartheid government, with some places being regarded as best tourist destinations while others struggle to attract international tourists specifically. It recommends public-private partnership towards the development of former homelands as sustainable tourist sites in South Africa.