Community participation in tourism development at KwaNgcolosi, Kwazulu-Natal : a feasibility study
Community participation in tourism developments in KwaNgcolosi (KwaZulu-Natal) forms an integral part of the government objectives in the tourism industry which are inter alia to, build a world class tourism industry and to integrate historically disadvantaged people into the mainstream of the industry. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which KwaNgcolosi communities are involved in tourism development in their area. It also aims to undertake a feasibility study of the establishment of the Zulu Cultural Village at KwaNgcolosi by the community members where they could be really involved and benefit. The following objectives were set for this study: ^> To reveal the level of involvement by the local community in the development of tourism infrastructure. => To establish the social, economic and environmental benefits and problems the community experiences from the existence of the KwaNgcolosi reserve. => To identify problems that hinder the community's participation in tourism development in their area. => To undertake a feasibility study on the development of a Zulu Cultural Village where the KwaNgcolosi community will be involved. The results from the survey indicate that there are a number of local people who really want to get involved in the tourism business as traditional dancers; sell traditional craft work; become cleaners and so forth. At the present moment KwaNgcolosi community's involvement in tourism development in their area is mostly at the level of temporary jobs which are occasionally offered to unskilled labour. Jobs offered to semi-skilled and skilled labour are limited. Problems seem to be more prominent than benefits. Some of the problems identified are: the lack of jobs from KwaNgcolosi reserve; no improvement in the general infrastructure; local artistic talent not used and pollution from cars. The lack of tourism awareness has been identified as one major contributing factor that hinders community participation in tourism development, as well as the breakdown of communication between Msinsi Holdings which is a company that is responsible for the administration of KwaNgcolosi reserve and the KwaNgcolosi chief. The feasibility study of the proposed Zulu Cultural Village was successful. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will encourage the establishment of the proposed Zulu Cultural Village. Some of the recommendations that emerged from the study include the following: => Mechanisms should be made by Msinsi Holdings and the KwaNgcolosi chief to provide kiosks or shelter for community members who want to sell their traditional handcraft in or near the KwaNgcolosi reserve. => The KwaNgcolosi chief must work hand in hand with Msinsi Holdings to improve the general infrastructure in KwaNgcolosi area. => Tourism awareness campaigns are needed in KwaNgcolosi community. => Community members interested in establishing a Zulu Cultural Village project, must be encouraged and supported by all stakeholders. The researcher concludes by indicating that there is a potential for community participation in tourism development at KwaNgcolosi, because the type of tourism product to be developed is related to their culture and they have most of the cultural skills, they only need to be empowered with business running skills and financial support to start the proposed Zulu Cultural Village business. It is only when the community benefits financially, socially and otherwise, that their participation in tourism development will become meaningful to them.
Tourism development--KwaZulu-Natal (Kwangcolosi)
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