The Department of Tourism has appointed Mmaditonki Setwaba as the National Registrar of Tourist Guides. She is currently the Deputy Director-General: Tourism Sector Support Services within the Department.
As the National Registrar, Setwaba will work in conjunction with the Provincial Registrars to ensure the growth and development of the guiding sector. Her responsibilities include:
- Maintenance of a central database of tourist guides registered by the Provincial Registrars;
- Development of a code of conduct and ethics for tourist guides;
- Facilitating hearing and determining appeals;
- Monitoring of trends in the sector; and
- Promotion and development of the guiding sector nationally.
“Building a more resilient tourism economy post-COVID-19 is key to the future of tourism and the sustainability of the tourism sector and the tourist guiding profession," said Setwaba.
Managing Executive to step down from KNP role
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the departure of the Managing Executive Restructuring of the Kruger National Park (KNP), Gareth Coleman, after completing his two-year term. He will leave the position in September after the Board approved a six-month extension to enable him to hand over to his successor.
Acting Chief Executive of SANParks, Dumisani Dlamini, made the announcement to staff through an internal memo and thanked Coleman for his contribution since assuming his position.
Coleman was engaged to stabilise the KNP and prepare a revised business model and strategy for park. He took over when the country was in a total lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the timelines of his mandate.
Despite the lockdown, Coleman still managed to achieve the upgrading of KNP staff accommodation, and undertook an extensive consultation processes with employees and outside stakeholders on their role in the park to inform them of the turnaround plan for KNP.
The plan includes a new business model for the park, creating opportunities for businesses from communities adjacent to the park. He hosted successful roadshows that were well attended by both SMMEs and funding agencies to highlight opportunities in which they need to participate to revive the rural economy in their respective areas, thereby creating job opportunities.
Coleman will spend the six-month extension of his contract finalising the strategy and to ensure a smooth handover to his successor.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to serve SANParks in driving change in one of the greatest destinations and national parks in the world,” he said. “When I arrived I had no illusions about what could be achieved in two years and my aim was always to try and get everyone looking forward and in the same direction, despite it being a difficult period to lead as a result of the pandemic.”
