By OBAKENG MAJE
12 April 2025- The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu said they gathered to discuss a crucial pillar of the tourism industry, which is the sustainability and development of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Sotyu said the event is essential for fostering collaboration, understanding and shared ownership of key initiatives.
She further said she hope the gathering will provide a platform for diverse voices to exchange ideas and contribute to shaping outcomes that reflect the needs and priorities of the Fezile Dabi District Municipality. Sotyu added that, as they are all aware, this is the month, which South Africa celebrates its Freedom Month and Freedom Day on 27 April.
“The month marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s history as the first democratic elections was held on 27 April 1994. This milestone symbolises the triumph over oppression and the beginning of a new era of economic and social transformation. We must recognise that true liberation extends beyond political rights and economic empowerment.
“Sustainable SMMEs are key drivers of inclusive growth and poverty alleviation. By supporting and nurturing SMMEs, we honour the legacy of Freedom Month by ensuring that economic opportunities reach all South Africans, particularly those who were historically marginalised,” she said.
Sotyu said a thriving SMME sector not only strengthens the economy, but it also upholds the values of resilience, self-reliance and shared prosperity that define the spirit of freedom. She said on 26 to 27 February 2025, she attended the Sustainable Tourism Conference.
“It is at that conference that we determined that a platform of this kind is necessary. By engaging stakeholders and communities in meaningful dialogue, we build trust, establish transparency and encourage active participation. At the same time, it gives us a chance to ensure that all perspectives are considered as we move forward.
“Tourism in South Africa is not just about destinations. It is about people, it is about the small business owners of Zamdela offering authentic township experiences, guesthouse operators in Sharpeville welcoming travellers with warm hospitality and tourist guides in Batho sharing hidden gems of our rich country and those around Mangaung.
“These types of enterprises are the lifeblood of our tourism sector, and their success is our nation’s success. SMMEs are very important in the tourism industry. It contributes significantly to employment, economic transformation and community upliftment,” said Sotyu.
She said they bring innovation, diversity and authenticity to the tourism offerings, making South Africa a worldwide competitive and unique destination. Sotyu said despite their enormous potential, it is a fact that many SMMEs face challenges that threaten their survival and growth.
“Such threats include – limited access to funding and financial support, skills gap in business management and digital transformation, market access and lack of exposure to international tourists. Not to mention the impact external shocks, such as Covid-19 and global shifts have on these enterprises.
“As the government, our role is to enable and empower SMMEs to overcome these barriers and
it is our duty to maximise every opportunity to empower these enterprises. As much as the conversation is about preserving the environment, it is also about building long-term economic opportunities to ensure inclusive growth and to position black-owned businesses at the forefront of a thriving and responsible tourism sector,” she said.
Sotyu said tourism is indeed a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation, but if
not managed responsibly it can have a negative impact on the natural resources, displace
communities and leave more harm than good. She said embracing sustainable tourism by black-owned enterprises is not just about being part of a
global trend, but is a necessity for resilience, competitiveness and profitability.
“Speaking of opportunities, the Department of Tourism is dedicated to creating an inclusive,
sustainable, and resilient tourism economy. Allow me to put the spotlight on our departmental
programmes. We have a variety of programmes with the specific aim of promoting tourism, alleviating poverty and creating jobs.
“Our Market Access Support Programme offers financial support to small tourism enterprises to exhibit at tourism platforms. I want to urge you to visit the Department of Tourism website at
http://www.tourism.gov.za and look at this Market Access Support Incentive Programme,” she said.
Sotyu said this week they are assisting 49 tourism SMMEs to promote their services at the World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town. She said sadly, only three of the 49 are from the Free State.
“I really hope to see a larger number of you at the Africa’s Travel Indaba in May. We also want to encourage you to apply for our Green Tourism Incentive Programme, which offers a win-win solution to tourism establishments and our greening objectives. This programme is a resource efficiency programme which aims to support tourism enterprises to reduce the cost of investing in energy and water efficient solutions.
“This incentive can greatly
assist a tourism establishment to reduce their electricity and water bills in the long term. The department also established a Tourism Transformation Fund and Tourism Equity Fund to support the transformation efforts in the sector,” said Sotyu.
She said the Transformation Fund offers a combination of debt finance and grant funding for new and expansion tourism development projects with majority black shareholding. Sotyu said for tourist guides, the department has a number of programmes, including language training.
“We recently advertised for youth to apply for tourist guide training in Vredefort Dome and we
are currently conducting tourist guide training in Golden Gate National Park. For youth in tourism, the department offers annually a bursary programme and learnership programmes, focusing on professional cooking, wine appreciation and hospitality, targeting youth with a specific interest in tourism.
“I urge all young people here to visit the departmental website and social media pages regularly
for these opportunities. Please familiarise yourselves with all the projects that are offered by the department to assist in promoting tourism,” she said.
The Guardian 