The 4th Annual Township & Village Tourism Intra-Trade Conference officially opened today at Donga La Boutique Hotel in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, bringing together government leaders, tourism professionals, and entrepreneurs from across South Africa to celebrate growth, collaboration, and transformation within the township and village tourism sector.
The day began with a warm welcome from Mr. Themba Shabalala, owner of Donga La Boutique Hotel, who expressed pride in hosting the national event. “As a locally owned establishment, we’re deeply invested in building opportunities that uplift our communities,” he said.
The Executive Mayor of Alfred Duma Municipality, Cllr. Zama Sibisi, officially opened the conference, welcoming dignitaries including Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu, and MEC Rev. Musa Zondi. Mayor Sibisi reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to supporting small tourism enterprises and called the conference “a defining moment for Ladysmith and the Alfred Duma community.”
Deputy Minister Sotyu delivered an impactful keynote emphasizing inclusivity, local empowerment, and the true meaning of Ubuntu. She reminded delegates that “tourism must do more than grow numbers — it must grow people,” and encouraged collaboration through platforms like SATOVITO. She also highlighted the upcoming G20 Tourism Summit, which South Africa will host, marking a major opportunity to showcase township and village tourism to global leaders.
uThukela District Mayor, Cllr. Inkosi Shabalala, highlighted the region’s natural beauty and development initiatives, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Drakensberg Mountains, the uThukela River, and the Ilenge Mountain tourism project. He announced that international groups will soon visit the district, noting: “We are positioning uThukela as a must-visit destination for both domestic and global travellers.”
From the SATOVITO National Office, Mr. Lusanda Fibi and Mr. Thato Mothopeng inspired delegates with the story of the organisation’s formation during COVID-19 and its mission to grow township and village tourism into a sustainable, inclusive sector.
“We’re not taking a piece of the tourism pie — we’re making the pie bigger,” said Fibi.
Mothopeng outlined plans to develop tourist guides from local communities, expand partnerships with initiatives like Sho’t Left, and announced the upcoming Township and Village Tourism Expo. He emphasized improving customer service standards in local tourism and commended Donga La Boutique Hotel for its excellence.
The conference underscored a shared vision — to transform township and village tourism into a driving force for economic inclusion, job creation, and cultural preservation. These were some of the speakers and topics that were covered at the event.
Closing:
Day 1 of the SATOVITO 2025 Intra-Trade Conference set a powerful tone for the two-day event, filled with inspiration, collaboration, and renewed purpose.
Delegates will reconvene tomorrow for more discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing sustainable tourism across South Africa’s townships and villages.
Call to Action:
Stay tuned for Day 2 highlights, and follow the journey online at www.satovito.org.
For media enquiries, contact tumi@satovito.org.
