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Disruptions to supply chain on the high seas

Image supplied by SAPICS

The vast majority of goods are still transported by sea. According to SAPICS (The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management), sight is often lost, however, of how shipping disruptions have a far-reaching impact on global trade and supply chains, including inflation and food and energy security.

To survive and thrive in an environment marked by a host of problems in maritime trade, businesses must be able to identify the risks and have plans in place to mitigate them, SAPICS stresses.

In its first quarter report for 2024, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) expressed concerns about the continued acts of maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia. The report noted that a total of 33 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first three months of 2024, an increase from 27 incidents for the same period in 2023.

Of the 33 incidents reported, 24 vessels were boarded, six had attempted attacks, two were hijacked and one was fired upon. Violence towards crew continues with 35 crew members taken hostage, nine kidnapped and one threatened.

ICC Secretary General John WH Denton AO said: “The resurgence of Somali pirate activity is worrying, and now more than ever it is crucial to protect trade, safeguard routes and the safety of seafarers who keep commerce moving. All measures to ensure the uninterrupted free flow of goods throughout international supply chains must be taken.”  

The first few months of 2024 have also been difficult for vessels using two of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. As a result of Houthi rebels attacking vessels travelling into the Red Sea through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, ships were diverted around southern Africa. Trade volumes through the Suez Canal dropped by 40%. Trade through the Panama Canal has dipped by 30% since November. While the Suez’s troubles are geopolitical, Panama’s issues are climate related. The lakes that feed the canal are drying up due to drought. The locks connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific via Gatun Lake are now almost too shallow for the largest container ships to pass through. Earlier this month, Panama announced plans for a “dry canal” to move cargo between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Until then, some shippers are reportedly paying up to USD4 million for a slot in an auction that enables them to jump the queue of backed up vessels.

The Suez Canal disruption and the rerouting of vessels around Africa could represent an opportunity for South African ports, but they are currently hampered by chronic congestion, infrastructure deterioration and equipment breakdowns.

These are enormously challenging times for global maritime trade, states SAPICS, with supply chain repercussions impacting businesses, economies and consumers. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the disruption of the Suez Canal has created shortages of goods due to the increased cargo delivery time. Products affected include avocados in East Africa as well as tea and coffee supply chains. An UNCTAD report notes that ‘rerouting vessels around Africa adds about 12 days to the ship journey on a route from Asia to Europe. Extended travel distances and transit times are estimated to cut effective global container shipping capacity by around 9%. A round trip between India and Europe, for example, takes 56 days and 8 ships. If the journey takes 63 days, an extra ship will be needed’.

Recognising the critical role that shipping plays in global supply chains, SAPICS has a lined up a compelling presentation on supply chain disruptions on the high seas at the upcoming 2024 SAPICS Conference, Africa’s leading event for supply chain professionals. Malcolm Hartwell, Master Mariner and Head of Transport for Africa at Norton Rose Fulbright, South Africa, will share his experience and insights with attendees. “It is crucial for supply chain professionals to understand the current causes of disruptions to supply chains caused by shipping issues,” says Hartwell. He explains that this 2024 SAPICS Conference presentation will offer steps to take to mitigate the risks, including contractual and insurance arrangements.

Now in its 46th year, the 2024 SAPICS Conference takes place in Cape Town from 9 to 12 June 2024. It will see hundreds of attendees from around the world gather to network, learn and share knowledge through panel discussions, presentations, workshops and case studies. SAPICS is hosting this year’s conference in association with the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF).

For more information or to register to attend the 2024 SAPICS Conference, visit the conference website: https://conference.sapics.org or contact the Conference Secretariat at Upavon Management on 011 023 6701 or email info@upavon.co.za

About SAPICS: https://www.sapics.org.za

Since 1966, SAPICS has worked to elevate, educate and empower the community of supply chain professionals in South Africa and across the continent. This is done via membership, events, the annual conference and education courses and workshops through Authorised Education Providers and others.

SAPICS is registered in South Africa as a not-for-profit company. Its mandate is to ensure that any profits made are used towards the continual development and overall benefit of individuals and organisations in the supply chain management profession.

The annual SAPICS Conference is the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals. The 2024 SAPICS Conference takes place from 9 to 12 June 2024 at Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.

About SAAFF: https://saaff.org.za/

The Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders NPC (SAAFF) was established in 1921. For more than a century, SAAFF has played an essential role in freight forwarding and international trade, with members facilitating these activities through their dedicated involvement in the management of transportation, customs clearing, documentation, third-party payments, and many other elements of the international supply chain.

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Connected Banking Southern Africa 2024

12th Edition of the Premier Banking Summit

Join us for a dynamic and insightful event, bringing together top minds in the industry to explore the latest trends and best practices. Connected Banking – Southern Africa is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with peers, engage with experts, and gain practical knowledge that can help you stay ahead in the fast-changing world of finance.

The summit unfolds as a stage for thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries to delve into the pulse of South Africa’s banking industry. We navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the dynamic convergence of technology, regulatory landscapes, and operational efficiency.

Our mission, rooted in the belief in the power of knowledge exchange and collaborative endeavors, provides an unparalleled platform for networking, idea-sharing, and collaboration. Attendees can anticipate engaging discussions on technological frontiers, regulatory frameworks, and the imperative of sustainable growth.

Come and be inspired, learn from the best, and gain the tools you need to take your business to the next level.

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A regional overview of the Western Cape

In Cape Town, the rail reserve is being put to good use with the construction of affordable housing units. Photo: DCI Community Housing Services

By John Young

In film, tourism and oil and gas the numbers are increasing. More film shoots, more tourists and more drilling for oil and gas are all positives for the balance sheet of the Western Cape. But when it comes to energy, transport and housing, the Western Cape Provincial Government and its municipalities are having to make up for reduced supply: less electricity from the national grid, fewer trains running and not enough houses to make up for the continued movement of people to the province.

Rather than sitting back and lamenting the situation, the provincial and municipal authorities are laying out and executing detailed plans to deal with fixing these important economic drivers.

In providing affordable housing, for example, an innovation in land use is taking place in the Cape Town suburbs of Goodwood and Retreat. The rail reserve (unused land next to the line) has been leased from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) by a Section21 non-profit organisation called DCI Community Housing Services. The Goodwood Station Social Housing Development project was officially opened in 2023 and the organisation has partnerships with the City of Cape Town and the provincial government’s Department of Human Settlements. DCI provides rental housing accommodation for people who do not qualify for the breaking-new-ground subsidy (previously RDP) and are unable to participate in the formal non-subsidised housing market.

The decline in passenger rail journeys in greater Cape Town has been marked in recent years. New rolling stock is being introduced and security is being promised, but the process is going slowly. The City of Cape Town’s 2022 feasibility study on taking over the management of passenger rail services from PRASA showed its intent. Persistent calls by the city’s mayor to meet on the future of the rail network in the peninsula have not yielded any success as of January 2024, but increasing passenger rail journeys on a safe and reliable network remains a goal of the city.

The city wants to have a fully-integrated system, which would include rail. The Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA), located within the municipality, is responsible for planning, costing, contracting, regulating, monitoring, evaluating, communicating, managing and maintaining the City of Cape Town’s transport infrastructure, systems, operations, facilities and network.

The provincial government has followed the city’s lead with the establishment of a Mobility Department with its own MEC which now monitors the province’s transport programmes such as financial support to bus and taxi services, the transport regulation mandate and extensive traffic management operations.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says, “We are actively working towards ending loadshedding as aggressively as we can.” A R1.2-billion solar PV (photovoltaic) plant is being built near Somerset West, small-scale embedded generation is being encouraged and a Power Heroes programme will reward citizens for using less electricity.

At provincial level, a three-pronged strategy, the Energy Resilience Programme, aims to bring energy security to the province. Public spaces like schools will be fitted with solar panels and battery systems, several towns will be taken off the Eskom grid and finally, the Municipal Energy Resilience Plan is supporting councils in generating, procuring and selling power themselves.

Good numbers

The Film Permit Office of the City of Cape Town issued 3 900 film permits between July 2022 and July 2023. Most of these were for commercials but also included 499 TV series and more than 100 feature films. A freeze was placed by the city authorities on fees payable for traffic and metro police services for three years in a row in an attempt to stimulate this sector, a move that appears to have paid off.

Film location bookings rose to 8 300 in 2022/23, as opposed to 7 400 a year earlier. The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) reports that the city’s CBD supports 24 artistic studios, including film studios. The sector supports more than 35 000 jobs and contributes about R5-billion to the local economy.

Nearly 4 000 filming permits were issued for Cape Town in the year to July 2023. Photo: CCID

A record 317 000 overseas visitors visited the Cape in December 2023. Cape Town International Airport’s 2023 number of international arrivals reached 2.8-million, topping the 2.6-million international passengers it welcomed in 2019. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront recorded December retail sales of R1.2-billion, a 16% increase over 2022.

Plans for a new airport for greater Cape Town moved forward in 2023. The existing Fisantekraal Airfield north of Durbanville was rebranded the Cape Winelands Airport in 2020 by its new owners and there are plans for it be fully redeveloped with expanded facilities. This would not only help to relieve congestion at Cape Town International Airport in terms of cargo and tourism arrivals but would provide a much closer destination alternate for inbound flights which currently have to carry enough fuel to get their planes to George if there for some reason they are not able to land at CTIA.

An increasing number of oil and gas exploration permits have been granted both onshore and offshore along the West Coast. While this has disturbed conservationists, the results from surveys done in Block 5/6/7 suggest that the oil available in South African waters will at least match the significant resources that have been found in Namibian territory offshore.

In his 2022 State of the Province Address, Premier Alan Winde claimed that Cape Town is:

    • Africa’s Greentech hub
    • Africa’s BPO capital
    • Africa’s Tech capital

In addition, he quoted the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2021, where Cape Town is listed as the number one performer in Africa for technology ecosystems and is home to almost two-thirds of all start-ups in South Africa.

There are 22 active incubators and accelerators in the region which provide networking and marketing opportunities and links to funders and markets. It is because the Western Cape has been investing in digital infrastructure that the Premier can persuasively make these claims.

The provincial government’s broadband roll-out project is in Phase 2. The Western Cape Department of Health was the first in the country to go digital, including 265 primary healthcare centres and 181 mobile posts.

Cape Town also, according to the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), ranked second in Africa in 2020 (behind Mauritius) in competitiveness as a financial centre. Neighbouring Stellenbosch is advancing its reputation for technological innovation and the output of the region’s four universities and six TVET colleges ensures that the tech sector has the necessary human capital.

Cape Town’s share of national employment in the financial sector is about 20% and the contribution to gross value-added (GVA) is 15%.

Economy

Finance, business services and real estate combined contribute 28% to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Western Cape. The financial services and insurance sector are key components of the economy.

Although agriculture accounts for just 4.3% of GDP on its own, the sector is responsible for the fruit and vegetables that contribute to agro-processing which accounts for nearly 40% of the province’s export basket. (Agro-processing accounts for 8.1% of GDP.) Citrus, wine, apples and pears, grapes, fruit juice, fruit and nuts and tobacco all appear in the top 10 of the province’s exports.

Seventy percent of South Africa’s beverage exports come from the Western Cape. Grapes and wine sales to Europe remain strong, but the Chinese market is becoming increasingly important.

The province has a diverse manufacturing sector ranging from textiles, clothing, footwear, boatbuilding and furniture to coke and refined petroleum products. Excluding agro-processing, other manufacturing makes up 6.9% of GDP.

The Canal District at the V&A Waterfront is growing. The Yacht Club and AC Hotel by Marriott are adjacent tower blocks sited over office space, with the former offering private apartments. The aha Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites is another property offering access to the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Photo: Yacht Club

Investment

The province has a dedicated investment agency, Wesgro, which also works to promote the region’s tourism. The Investment Promotion Unit of Wesgro is working with various regions within the Western Cape to attract investment and accelerate exports.

In recent years, the biggest investments have been in renewable energy and manufacturing. Between 2003 and 2021, the Western Cape attracted $1.93-billion in renewable energy projects.

Other important sectors are agro-processing, aviation, business services, education and training, financial services, real estate, ICT, light manufacturing, oil and gas, timber, tourism, waste beneficiation and clean energy.

Another vehicle for attracting investment are Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Industrial Development Zones (IDZ). Zones at Atlantis and Saldanha aim to tap into growing markets – maritime, oil and gas and renewable technologies.

The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is attracting investors in the greentech market. An early investor in the zone was GRI Towers South Africa, a wind turbine tower manufacturer.

SAPICS 2024 Conference – Supply Chain Metamorphosis

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, supply chains are going through a remarkable transformation. No longer linear processes, they have become dynamic and interconnected ecosystems adapting to emerging technologies, market trends and global challenges.

SAPICS has been providing an exceptional platform for supply chain professionals to exchange knowledge and practical experiences at its world-class annual conference in South Africa for 46 years. Held for the second year in association with the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders, SAAFF, the 46th Annual Conference promises to be an event not to be missed!

SAPICS and SAAFF invite you to participate in SAPICS 2024 – the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals.

SAPICS 2024 embraces the theme of Supply Chain Metamorphosis and will host an event dedicated to exploring and understanding this unprecedented transformation.

Join us as we delve into the profound changes, challenges, best practices and opportunities reshaping the world of supply chain management. Attend the 46th Annual Conference from the 9 – 12 June, at Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town.

For more information and to register for SAPICS 2024, visit https://conference.sapics.org/

Audit Tech Conference 2024

Audit Technology in the spotlight

The Audit Tech Conference to be hosted on 22 & 23 May at the Indaba Hotel Fourways will seek to address the new dynamic agile technology auditing landscape within financial services.

Integration of latest technologies into audit processes has led to high quality audits, providing unrivaled insights and enhancing the way we look at risk, whilst reducing the margins of error in the current intense climate of regulatory and public intolerance towards audit failures.

As much as this technological revolution comes with opportunity it also brings with it more complex risks, competition from divergent angles and stakeholder scrutiny that is forensic in focus.

The conference programme will focus on the transformation and integration of latest developments within the auditing and accounting landscape in South Africa – adapting to the new auditing landscape, enhancing audit quality – a risk based approach, disruption of blockchain, embracing technology leveraging automation & analytics, cyber risks assessments, regulatory changes and cyber threats, data governance security and auditing in the cloud, complexities of corporate ESG, and much more…

Over 20 industry-leading speakers will be sharing their knowledge and insights with delegates giving them an in-depth understanding on how to best equip themselves for the future when it comes to audit execution and the adoption of an innovative mindset.

The target audience is aimed toward professionals from banks, financial institutions, service providers and consultancies dealing with accounting and audit.

We invite potential speakers to join us at the conference, so as to once again create the ideal platform for information and knowledge sharing. Involvement will create excellent networking opportunities for sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and fellow speakers.

Looking forward seeing you there!

Find out more here

Regulatory Risk & Compliance for Non-Bank Financial Institutions Conference 2024

Non-bank financial sector vulnerabilities surface as financial conditions tighten

As trends and shifts in the financial sector increases, NBFIs have emerged as key players in the financial sector.

It is vitally important to understand and screen this expanding financial sector that comprises a line-up of institutions beyond banks.

Non-bank financial intermediaries including investment funds, pension funds, insurers, money market funds and credit providers, also play a key role in the global financial system by providing financial services and credit and thus supporting economic growth.

The growth of the NBFI sector accelerated after the global financial crisis, accounting now for nearly 50 percent of global financial assets. As such, the smooth functioning of the non-bank sector is vital for financial stability.

The resilience of the non-bank financial sector and the supporting market infrastructure is crucial for the financial system to support the real economy and to absorb rather than amplify shocks.

Henceforth robust surveillance, regulation, and supervision are essential due to the tightening in policies, digital challenges and several other factors.

To assess the financial stability implications pension funds, insurance developments, academics and policy makers should improve their understanding of risks arising from the behaviour of non-bank financial institutions and the evolution of the supporting market infrastructure, and how to deal with those risks.

This conference will focus on bringing the key role players from NBFI’s – insurance companies, pension funds, investment intermediaries, microloan organisations together at one forum to discuss and learn how they can tackle the challenges and opportunities they face on meeting regulatory and reporting requirements.

Topics will be discussed under the following sections: regulatory risk and compliance challenges, financial inclusion, market conduct and consumer education, alternative finance market, ecosystem banking and innovation & technology.

As organisers of the annual AML & Financial Crime Southern Africa Conference and the Regulatory Risk & Compliance Conference, Trade Conferences International (TCI) is once again looking forward to welcoming delegates, speakers & sponsors to this industry event!

Find out more here

Consumers are confused about the impact of paper on forests

Sappi’s Clairmont Mountain Nature Reserve is home to 10 red-data species
Sappi’s Clairmont Mountain Nature Reserve is home to 10 red-data species. Credit: Sappi

South African consumers’ views on environmental perceptions, preferences and attitudes towards print, paper and paper-based packaging have been included for the first time in an international survey, which showed that many are still confused about the relationship between farmed wood for papermaking and deforestation.

The responses of 10 000 people in 16 countries were documented by Two Sides in the biennial Trend Tracker Survey. While 71% of South African consumers agree that it is important to use paper products from sustainably managed forests, and 36% pay attention to forestry certification labels when purchasing paper-based products, the perceptions that a paperless environment is ecologically friendly and that forestry as an industry contributes to deforestation, persists.

The survey showed that 35% of consumers believed that electronic devices were the most environmentally friendly, yet wood ranked second and paper ranked fourth. On the one hand, 77% of people feel that electronic communication is better than paper-based media. Then again, 76% acknowledge that planted forests are not bad for the environment, a clear contradiction.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, which occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is linked to meat, soya beans and palm oil. Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), says the forest and paper sector is misunderstood and thus beleaguered by myths that are rooted in ignorance and assumption.

“Timber plantations or planted forests make up 7% of the global forest area, yet provide about 50% of the wood for industrial use such as pulp, paper and timber for construction,” she says. For this reason, balancing sustainability with productive and economic imperatives is high on the forestry sector’s agenda. “Through biodiversity enrichment, water stewardship and community support programmes, the forestry sector invests significantly in reducing its impact on the land it uses,” says Molony.

In May 2023, PAMSA member Mondi South Africa and Endangered Wildlife Trust announced a three-year partnership to map Mondi South Africa’s species and ecosystem biodiversity footprint and identify best practices for biodiversity management in its local forestry operations.

Mondi South Africa and Endangered Wildlife Trust - biodiversity action area
Mondi South Africa and Endangered Wildlife Trust are working together to map the company’s species and ecosystem biodiversity footprint.

Sustainable forestry misunderstood

Paper’s core component, cellulose, is a renewable resource. In South Africa, where almost all indigenous forests and woodlands are protected, wood for pulp and paper product comes from sustainably managed forests where the cycle of planting, growing and regenerating is carefully controlled. The needs of the timber, pulp and paper sectors are served by 1.4-billion trees planted on 1.2-million hectares, which is 1% of South Africa’s total land cover.

“Forestry companies have nurseries tending to millions of seedlings every year which go on to replace mature trees once they have been harvested,” explains Molony. Less than 10% of the total plantation area is harvested annually and this is replanted within the same year, which means that more than 111-million trees are planted every year. “That is, on average, 306 000 trees a day.”

The needs of the timber, pulp and paper sectors are served by 1.4-billion trees planted on 1.2-million hectares, which is 1% of South Africa’s total land cover.

South Africa is naturally a very tree-poor country, with only 0.4% of the country being covered with indigenous trees. This is one of the key reasons why only commercially planted trees are used for wood products, to prevent encroaching on our indigenous forests.

In addition, at least one quarter of forestry-owned land is left unplanted, allowing biodiversity-rich corridors to flourish with indigenous fauna and flora in grasslands, wetlands and wooded areas. Sappi, also a PAMSA member, has seven declared nature reserves on its landholdings in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces with a combined 6 320 hectares including Clairmont Mountain Nature Reserve which is home to 10 red-data species. These reserves are part of South Africa’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

Nursing seedlings until they are ready for the field. CREDIT: Mondi
Nursing seedlings until they are ready for the field. CREDIT: Mondi

What about water?

Water use was another area where misconceptions seem to have taken hold. Just more than half of consumers surveyed (51%) believe that paper production uses an excessive amount of water, but the forestry sector uses only 3% of South Africa’s available water, with agriculture and domestic water consumption accounting for 60% and 29% respectively.

“Plantations are not irrigated. Some companies plant seedlings with hydrogel, but the rest is up to nature,” says Molony. “Yet our sector is the only sector to pay a ‘rain tax’, as forestry is considered a stream-flow-reduction activity.” Trees, like any living organism, take in, use and transpire water as part of their growth needs. “This is why the forestry industry is adopting a more stringent approach to planting, ensuring buffer zones exist between compartments and riverine areas,” notes Molony.

The WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship has been in place for more than three decades, initially centred on wetland management but later expanded to focus on catchment-based water stewardship which prioritises catchments with possible water-related risks. Mondi has made investments in rehabilitating wetlands on plantation landholdings in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Currently Mondi manages about 15 000 hectares of wetlands within its own and leased land properties.

WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship has been in place for more than three decades.
WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship has been in place for more than three decades.

Sappi is also working closely with WWF to improve the catchment and the ecological integrity of the uMkomaas River which is strategic for Sappi in terms of water supply to operations. Work includes clearing of invasive alien plants in the catchment area by using members of the local community who are employed in the project, which contributes to employment in the rural areas of Impendle.

“We have to continue to challenge the misconceptions and contradictory opinions surrounding wood and paper-based products and their impact on the environment,” concludes Molony. “When people grasp that trees are farmed, just like we farm mealies and wheat, their perception shifts. I’ve witnessed this personally time and time again.”

Larger-than-life mural pays tribute to South Africa’s Bokke

#SpringbokMuralBellville #betterbellvilletogether

Last week, a colossal mural of the Springboks was unveiled on the Park Central Lifestyle building along Blanckenberg Street, Bellville, as part of the City of Cape Town’s better. bellville. together. initiative. This larger-than-life artwork of our rugby heroes marks a significant moment not only for the local community but for the entire nation – a symbol of unity and pride that highlights the profound importance of the Springboks in South Africa, particularly following their recent triumph at the World Cup.

The better. bellville. together. initiative is a city-funded placemaking initiative, which launched in February 2023, and is proving to be a successful catalyst for economic growth in the Bellville CBD. Rooted in the belief that public art is a dynamic force for cultural expression, community engagement, and economic development, the initiative aims to revitalise the region, making it cleaner, and safer for those who live, work, learn and visit Bellville.

Left to Right: Alderman James Vos, George Comitis – Building Owner, Warren Hewitt – GTP CEO, INFRONT: Left Alex Jongens – Project Manager and Right Diana Tinkerbell, mural artist #SpringbokMuralBellville #betterbellvilletogethe

The initiative has made remarkable strides over the past year, but none as breathtaking as the Springbok mural. “The Bokke holds a special place in the hearts of our community,” says Alex Jongens, the project lead for better. bellville. together. “This mural serves as a vibrant symbol of our collective pride and unity, honouring the legacy of the Springboks and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating this milestone. Let’s come together to witness the power of art to unite and inspire.”

Bokke on Blanckenberg

The Springbok mural, the largest yet in Bellville, is a testament to the power of public art to inspire and uplift. The local community are greeted by an awe-inspiring display that encapsulates the pride, resilience, and unity of South Africans, and the mural not only celebrates the sporting prowess of the Springbok legends but also pays homage to Bellville’s identity, intertwining with the fabric of the local community.

For Diana Tinkerbell, the visionary artist behind the mural, this project represents a profound connection to the community. “Creating this mural has been an incredible journey,” she says. “It’s more than just paint on a wall; it’s a dialogue with the people, a reflection of our shared values and aspirations.”

The grand unveiling marks a historic moment for Bellville, celebrating its rich spirit and boundless creativity. George Comitis from Park Central Lifestyle, the building owner, emphasises the importance of conveying meaningful messages through art. “Each mural tells a story, capturing the essence of South Africa’s diverse culture and heritage,” he explains. “We are proud to be part of the vibrant tapestry of Bellville’s landscape.”

Snap a pic with the Bokke

Residents, business owners, and visitors to Bellville are encouraged to be a part of the excitement by posting their photos of the mural on social media using #springbokmuralbellville and #betterbellvilletogether.

Together, we can transform our city into a canvas of dreams!

For more information about better. bellville. together. visit www.bettertogether.africa and follow us @betterbellvilletogether.

Limpopo Tourism Agency: A leader in tourism

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour

Limpopo Province continues to be one of the major recipients of tourism arrivals from South Africa’s core international markets given its broad tourism product offerings and appeal. Before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Limpopo Province was the leading destination in terms of arrivals and spend in the domestic tourism space.

The most recent statistical release by Statistics South Africa shows that in 2020 the Eastern Cape received 18.2% and became the most-visited destination for overnight trips followed by Limpopo with 18.0%.

In 2021, the most-visited province was Limpopo with 20.3% followed by Gauteng at 15.1%. The report also states that Limpopo continued to be the leading province in the first 10 months of the year in which the report was compiled, 2022.

This speedy recovery can be attributed to the partnership efforts that the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) embarked on with the private sector. This initiative continues to provide visitors to destination Limpopo with the memorable experiences that they will treasure for a long time.

This was perfectly in line with the Agency’s vision of becoming a leading tourism destination in Southern Africa.

Tourism mandate

The LTA’s mandate is to carry out destination marketing with an emphasis on domestic tourism and inbound tourism marketing until things have completely returned to normality.

The LTA falls under the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and aims to position Limpopo as a leading tourism destination in Southern Africa. The Agency’s strategic outcomes are:

  • effective and efficient administrative support in the organisation
  • to provide efficient and effective human resources support services
  • to provide efficient and effective finance and support services
  • to initiate product development, tourism investment, strategic partnerships and provide quality hospitality services
  • to position Limpopo as a leading tourism destination in Southern Africa

The Limpopo Marula Festival has proved a great success over the years, not only drawing international audiences but promoting local culture and small businesses.

Photo: Fyre Mael on Flickr

Clusters

Planning that has been done within the LTA is aligned to the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS), the Limpopo Tourism Growth Strategy (LTGS) and the Limpopo Development Plan.

For the purposes of achieving its vision of making Limpopo a leading tourism destination in Southern Africa, LTA reviewed its clusters, bearing in mind the unique wildlife offerings in the mega-conservation areas of the province. The tourism clusters are as follows:

  • Culture and Heritage Cluster
  • Family and Recreation Cluster
  • Sport and Wildlife Cluster
  • Safari and Hunting Cluster
  • Business and Events Cluster
  • Special Interest Cluster
  • Events key to tourism

LTA has identified events in the province as key to driving people from one place to another.

Key flagship events in the province include the following:
  • Limpopo Golf Championship in April 2023. Linked to this was the Youth Golf Championship that took place on 29 June 2023 at Koro Creek, Modimolle.
  • Partnerships with all existing events in the province such as Limpopo Marula Festival that took place in April 2023 in Phalaborwa.
  • The Agency participated in trade shows such as World Travel Market (WTM) Africa in April 2023, Cape Town, followed by Africa’s Travel Indaba in May 2023 in Durban.
  • LTA hosted Limpopo Tourism Youth Summit in Burgersfort on 22-23 June 2023.
  • LTA participated in the national launch of Tourism Month on 1 August 2023 in North West Province. The provincial launch of World Tourism Day took place on 16 August 2023 in the Waterberg District.
  • Phalaphala FM Royal Heritage Festival in Vhembe District.
  • Mapungubwe Cultural Festival in to be held in Polokwane in December 2023.
  • Summer Campaign launch and concomitant activations.
  • Holiday Fair on 24-26 August 2023.
  • Other events in various districts of the province.

Limpopo awaits with more to enjoy

Limpopo Tourism Agency Chief Executive Officer, Moses Ngobeni, is confident that investors will find much to inspire them in Limpopo.

Our province is the northmost in the country with several competitive advantages including sharing borders with three countries in the SADC region, that is, Botswana in the west, Zimbabwe in the north and Mozambique in the east. To optimise this opportunity, the province became innovative by introducing two transfrontier parks, namely, Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Park involving Limpopo, Botswana and Zimbabwe and Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park involving Limpopo, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Moses Ngobeni, LTA CEO

Tourism in Limpopo is progressing well despite having been under stress over the past three years due to Covid-19. It is heartwarming to see the tremendous progress that the sector displayed shortly after the difficult times of the pandemic. We are grateful for the resilience shown by the tourism industry and we wish to thank government for the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan that was developed for the tourism sector.

The province is currently ranked within the top three in the country on a domestic tourism front. We are looking forward to the new statistics by Stats SA come the end of the festive season.

The Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) has since taken a strong stance in collaborating with key stakeholders as that is central to tourism development and growth. It is against this background that we partner with major events as these not only drive people to our province but also because these events help to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality which are the ills continuing to torment the people of our province. Some of the mega events in the province come with tangible deliverables to rid the people of the burden of poverty.

With the Limpopo Provincial Investment Conference coming our way in October 2023, we are confident that most investors will choose Limpopo for tourism investment as there are many opportunities. We say this because tourism has multiplier effects with a myriad of opportunities and trade beneficiation.

Limpopo is ready for the increase in visitors through air access, given the good relations with Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit that can get four airlines per day and Polokwane International Airport which is also on a growth trajectory with three airlines per day. We can’t wait to see the speed train between Gauteng and Limpopo, which is the brainchild of our Premier, Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, and the Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi. This will bring some relief to our roads which are congested during long weekends and holidays.

Upcoming events include the Summer Campaign that will be launched in and around this October. This will come with packages for the citizens in the province and beyond to enjoy. Some of the activities include but are not limited to the annual Sapa Yopa Rally, Women in Sports Awards, National Celebration of Reconciliation Day and Mapungubwe Arts Festival.

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