Unlock this story — it’s free
Download the Pondoland Times app for breaking Eastern Cape news, community updates, jobs, and important stories from around you.
Members of the O.R. Tambo District Mayoral Committee embarked on a Wild Coast Exposure Tour on 04 November, showcasing homegrown tourism enterprises transforming local economies. The tour spotlighted a provincial award-winning homestay and a kayak operator who are setting the standard for sustainable, community-driven tourism.
What Happened
The OR Tambo delegation visited a community-based homestay recently crowned Best Homestay in the Province. Supported through the District’s Tourism Development Programme, the initiative provided the owner with beds, quality linen, hospitality training, and business support. A local resident was also trained as a massage therapist and now works full-time at the establishment.
What began as a modest venture has become a local economic engine hosting travellers from across South Africa and abroad, creating jobs, and strengthening community pride.
The tour continued in Port St Johns, where the committee visited a licensed kayak operator who received district assistance with kayaks and bicycles. The operator now offers guided tours across two rivers, blending adventure with authentic local culture.
Official Response
District officials praised the entrepreneurs as “proof of what happens when government support meets community determination.”
“We have seen the impact of investing in people with vision,” one committee member said. “Our mission now is to scale these successes across the entire district.”
The committee stressed that the Wild Coast’s greatest asset lies not only in its scenery but in the resilience and creativity of its people.
Community Impact
Local tourism projects like these are creating jobs, keeping income circulating within communities, and restoring pride in rural enterprise. Officials believe these grassroots models could anchor a district-wide tourism economy one that feeds families, builds communities, and grows hope.
“The seeds are taking root,” said a committee representative. “We’re moving from isolated success stories to a sustainable tourism movement that uplifts the whole district.”
