By Reverend Musa Zondi – KwaZulu-Natal MEC for EDTEA
As the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the holidaymakers who will be descending to our magical Zulu Kingdom for their well-deserved and well-needed summer season break.
Summer is our biggest tourism season of the year and we are looking forward to hosting you in all the corners of our province, where you will be met with warmth and world-class hospitality.
The people of KZN are known for their warmth and hospitality. This extends from those just going about their daily business to the many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the tourism sector and its value chain to ensure that all travellers to our province have the best possible experience - and always want to return for more.
As you know, KZN has so much to offer. However, we know that at this time of the year, nothing is more popular than a beach holiday. I’m proud to say our South Coast boasts seven stunning internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, each a pristine paradise; and special care is being taken to ensure that beaches along the entire East Coast are carefully monitored to ensure bather safety.
Where there are still challenges, officials are tirelessly monitoring water quality as it fluctuates with seasonal changes and environmental influences. We invite bathers to visit www.durban.gov.za by clicking here for more information about beach facilities and water quality.
However, KZN has myriad tourism attractions suitable for your summer travel needs. As holidaymakers, you will be spoilt for choice with a wide range of tourism products including some of the fascinating community tourism experiences that are on offer. You can enjoy both our Big 5 and marine conservation areas, and even visit our two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and the magnificent Maloti-Drakensberg. This could also be a fun way to tick off a bucket list item for you and your family, as well as for the children to learn something while on holiday.
Your safety also remains a top priority for us and our security cluster partners - which include SAPS, Metro Police, Road Traffic Inspectorate, our entities KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, KZN Sharks Board, lifeguards, districts and local municipalities - are all ready to welcome you to our shores. They have put in place world-class systems to ensure that you truly have a magical summer season break with us.
For those of you who will be arriving through the King Shaka International Airport, I encourage you to make a pit stop and enjoy our newly unveiled King Shaka Statue and mark your arrival in the Zulu Kingdom with style.
For those who will be driving to the province, prepare for your road trip well in advance so you can allocate time for a stop and stretch. Take advantage of the tourism products along your route such as the Mandela Capture site in Howick, which is a stone’s throw from the main highway between Gauteng and Durban.
To the citizens of KZN, I urge you to play your role as the ambassadors of our magical province by ensuring that holidaymakers feel safe and enjoy the hospitality and warmth KZN is globally renowned for. I encourage you to be our eyes and ears, lend a helping hand to our guests – whether they are looking for directions, looking for recommendations of the best night spots or the best restaurant to experience with friends and family – and when anyone is in distress and needs any of our emergency services.
For those who haven’t finalised their travel plans yet, do not despair. You can download our KZN Travel Guide App filled with tourism information, accommodation special offers, culture, adventure activities and more.
We have also partnered with event organisers from across the province who will be hosting signature summer events around KZN to ensure that every day is a magical day for the entire family. Follow us on all our social media channels @visitKZN so you never miss where the fun is this summer.
Make sure to visit our website www.visitkznsa.com or our Information Offices at Ushaka Marine and King Shaka International Airport to look at the safety tips. You can also verify tourism products that you will be visiting to avoid entanglements with unscrupulous characters and any disappointments.
Always remember that when you choose KZN as your magical holiday destination, you are also paying it forward. By supporting the tourism industry in KZN, you are preserving and creating jobs by providing opportunities for our people to positively contribute to our economy and move KZN forward.
Do not forget to share your magical moments in the Zulu Kingdom through word of mouth, post your pictures on social media and tag us on all our social media platforms so we can get the world back to the Zulu Kingdom.
I wish you a prosperous summer and a magical new year, and I am looking forward to welcoming you back to the Zulu Kingdom again in 2025.