Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal — The 4th Annual Township & Village Tourism Intra-Trade Conference opened on a high note as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu, delivered a powerful keynote address celebrating unity, empowerment, and the untapped potential of township and village tourism.
Welcoming delegates, dignitaries, and exhibitors, Deputy Minister Sotyu reminded attendees that the South African story is not written in skylines — but in the heartbeat of our nation, within the townships and villages that embody the true spirit of Ubuntu.
“Tourism must do more than grow visitor numbers — it must grow people,” she said. “When we invest in communities, we build a stronger, more inclusive tourism economy that benefits every South African.”
Sotyu highlighted that South Africa will host the upcoming G20 Tourism Working Group Summit, a major milestone for the nation and the African continent. Delegates from across the world will visit and explore all nine provinces, presenting a unique opportunity to showcase South Africa’s diversity, culture, and innovation.
“While government understands the value of hosting the G20, it’s our collective responsibility to ensure that people on the ground understand it too,” she emphasized. “Regional inclusivity and active participation are vital so that the benefits of such global events reach small and medium enterprises across the tourism value chain.”
The Deputy Minister applauded SATOVITO for its commitment to grassroots tourism development and its role in empowering entrepreneurs from underserved communities. She encouraged collaboration between government and organisations like SATOVITO to promote craft markets, local cuisine, and cultural exhibitions at national events.
“Every visitor who stays in a township creates a job,” Sotyu said. “That’s why initiatives like this conference are so important — they connect the dots between opportunity, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.”
Sotyu also urged small businesses to pursue growth and sustainability through government-supported financial instruments such as the Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) and the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF).
These funds are designed to:
Support black-owned tourism enterprises through equity financing and business expansion.
Assist emerging entrepreneurs with access to capital and mentorship.
Promote inclusive participation across the tourism value chain, ensuring that women and youth benefit equally.
She called on township and village entrepreneurs to embrace e-tourism, encouraging local communities without formal accommodation establishments to open their homes to visitors — a model that promotes community-based tourism and direct income generation.
“You cannot be a small business forever; growth is not just an option, it’s a necessity,” Sotyu urged. “Government is here to help you expand — that’s how we build a nation together.”
In a lighthearted moment, she spoke about the upcoming G20 gathering, saying, “We know who’s not coming,” to laughter from the audience. “But what matters most is that South Africa stands proudly as the only African nation in the G20 — representing not just ourselves, but the entire continent.”
The Deputy Minister closed her remarks by reaffirming the essence of Ubuntu:
“Now, Ubuntu starts here with us. Let us welcome the world warmly, proudly, and together.”
