South Africa boasts a rugged beauty that often leaves international visitors spellbound – from its expansive landscapes, world-famous game reserves and stunning beaches to its spectacular mountain ranges and thrilling action and adventure spots. More recently, South Africans themselves have been getting out to explore and rediscover more of Mzanzi, and in the process helping to boost a tourism sector that has been battered hard over the last two years. 

But roads further off the beaten track can be a lot trickier, especially dirt or gravel stretches that are often not mapped on Google Street View. This can leave travellers and adventurers unprepared for the road conditions they will encounter. 

Iconic tyre brand Dunlop has risen to this challenge yet again, with a second take on its award-winning Grandtrek Uncharted expedition. The mission: to go once again to places Google hasn’t been. 

Launched in late 2020 as a way of showcasing the proverbial road less travelled, the Grandtrek Uncharted expedition spanned all nine provinces, as modern-day explorers Peter van Kets and Jacques Marais sought out uncharted roads far from the beaten track that could be added to Google Street View using a special 360-degree camera. 

In 2021, Grandtrek Uncharted Phase 2 is zooming in on two of SA’s coastal provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, taking 10 travellers on shoreline voyages fit for the coast-loving 4x4, off-road or outdoor enthusiast. 

“South Africa is well-known for its 4x4 routes and rugged terrain, but many of these routes have entire sections that aren’t mapped because the terrain is too rough. That’s why we’re once again setting out to map these well-known routes and encouraging consumers once again to get out there and explore,” says Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, which manufactures the Dunlop brand in Africa. 

Thanks to Grandtrek Uncharted, travellers and tourists will now be able to find a few well mapped out roads in and around some of the country’s most spectacular gravel passes along the coast - from Bosluiskloof Pass, the Swartberg Pass and Gamkaskloof (a.k.a. Die Hel) in the Western Cape, to the oNgoye Forest, Gwahumbe and Sani Pass in KZN. “These routes might be rough – but they’re definitely not rough enough for Dunlop’s Grandtrek tyres, which enable you to tame any terrain,” says Ozoux. 

Joining Dunlop Grandtrek on the adventure are prolific photographers Mike Eloff (@lifeofmikeza), and Kieran Allen (@kierranallen), travel blogger Shelley Ferreira (@travel_blogged) and digital creators Durbanite Official (@durbanite_official), Kabelo Lelo Dladla (@mamiwiththedreads), Amber Kelly (@firsttimemamma), Tebogo Ramaselele (@tebogo_ramaselele), Marcella (@marchi_x), Boipelo Bokaba (@uncleboipelo) and Jodi Sardinha (@jodisardinha). 

Keen to tag along for the journey? Follow these accounts on social media, or take in the Grandtrek Uncharted 360-degree footage uploaded to the Google Street View platform. To view the footage, as well as the destinations visited, visit www.grandtrek.co.za

The halfway mark for 2021 is now behind us and winter is slowly making way for spring. The days are slowly getting longer, snowy caps are melting and filling the riverbeds to bursting, spring flowers are breaking free, and the summer rains will soon hit the coast. 

If long game drives, or that idyllic social-distanced trip to the coast still remain unchecked on your adventure list, now is the time to take the road and enjoy the last of the season’s greats without worrying about coming into close contact with too many people. Or how your tyres will cope with the terrain ahead.

As you take to the highway, the dirt track, or the off-road climbs, there is nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes from complete trust in the capabilities of your vehicle and your tyres, knowing you are covered by Dunlop Sure. 

“We are the first tyre manufacturer in South Africa to offer such comprehensive tyre cover, proof of our confidence in our outstanding Grandtrek tyre range,” says Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, manufacturer of the iconic Dunlop tyre range. “Dunlop Sure gives SUV and 4x4 owners complete peace of mind to just get out there and explore.” 

With a dedicated Insurance Call Centre Dunlop Sure provides the following cover: 

Product Life Warranty – 8 years: Manufacturer’s warranty against defects in material and/or workmanship for a duration of 8 years from the manufacture date. Ride discomfort claims will be accepted for adjustment during the first 10% of the original tread depth, with these tyres replaced free of charge.

Mileage Warranty – up to 100 000km: Tyre Warranty is transferable for the life of the tyre and tyres carry a manufacturer’s warranty in the case of premature treadwear, guaranteeing a certain number of kilometres of tyre use before they wear out. The mileage warranty on Grandtrek AT3G is 60 000km; for Grandtrek AT25 – 70 000km and on Grandtrek AT5 – 100 000km. To qualify customers must purchase 4 tyres from a registered tyre dealer, have their wheel alignment done and register the warranty online within 7 days of purchase, either on the Dunlop MyTyres app within 7 days of purchase or by asking the Tyre Fitment centre where they made their purchase and had the wheel alignment done to do so for them. Tyres need to be rotated and aligned at least every 8000km and recorded on the MyTyres mobile app.

12 month All Road Hazard Guarantee: Free for 12 months on Dunlop Tyres 16-inch and above, all SUV and all Light Truck Radials (except 195/14C), the tyre insurance product applies to any number of tyres purchased – not necessary to purchase four tyres for this product. The free All Road Hazard is only available from Dunlop Zone, Dunlop Express, Dunlop Commercial and Dunlop Container stores. 

Get total peace of mind to take the road with confidence. Visit www.dunlop.co.za

In Fly Cape Town Paraglidings case, an immaculate feature is the outstanding tandem paragliding Cape Town experience that it offers.

It would be safe to say that no other paragliding firm comes anywhere close to the kind of experience which Fly Cape Town Paragliding is able to offer to patrons, that too on an absolutely consistent basis. Feel free to peruse our reviews on Tripadvisor.

At the heart of this brilliant facet in Fly Cape Town Paraglidings case is the very high quality of pilots that it has. They have all undergone rigorous training over a number of years and only then arrived at a stage where they are able to fly tandem with patrons with ease.

This high quality is something which is not merely confirmed by word of mouth but actually ratified by the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association that duly licenses us (a mandatory requirement as per the Civil Aviation Act anyway). Therefore, with regard to the quality and reliability of pilots that we have onboard, you can be reassured beyond the slightest hint of doubt.

Further, you also need to look at the outstanding vantage points which we have chosen for our paragliding Cape Town sessions. Typically, we take off from Signal Hill or Lions Head, both of which are remarkable locations that offer an exhilarating view of the entire Table Bay shore and indeed the whole of Cape Town city. No other experience offer the kind of views which we are able to ensure on our paragliding sessions. After all, here you are remarkably close to the land area, to at least be able to discern from above the view below, while still having the same experience of wafting through the air as you would were you to fly by yourself.

A final note also needs to be made about the paragliding equipment that we deploy here at Fly Cape Town Paragliding. Strictly following industry norms, we use only the very best paragliding equipment available, not only as per local South African standards but internationally whereby you are assured of safety and security which is second to none on a global scale.All of these factors together have put us at a pedestal where we are clearly a force to reckon with as far as tandem paragliding in South Africa as a whole and Cape Town in particular is concerned  so why not come down and experience firsthand the enthralling experience that tandem paragliding with us has to offer?

The Lindfield Victorian House Museum, the iconic niche-museum in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, proudly announced that it has opened the Lindfield Emporium at the museum. The Lindfield Emporium is a Victorian-style department store selling all sorts of very interesting collectables. The shop also has a Victorian photographic studio complete with an authentic hand-painted photo-backdrop. The backdrop has been expertly painted by Pierre Roestorf, an associate of the museum.

“It has always been a dream of mine to add a shop to the museum allowing visitors to purchase something special that would remind them of the museum and the Victorians. The shop immerses the visitor in the Victorian era, resulting in a deeply authentic and rewarding experience.” said Katharine Love, owner and curator of the museum.

The shop is open to anybody that completes a booked tour. It is also open by appointment, for those who want to experience the shop without doing a museum tour first. The Lindfield Emporium has a fancy goods department, a pharmacy, groceries and confectionery, drapery and haberdashery, books, toys, an office and even a post office counter. Naturally, some items are for display only.

Leon Erasmus, an associate of the museum, added that the private access to the shop will certainly enhance anyone’s visit to the museum as the shop is a very faithful recreation of a typical Victorian store.

About the museum: The Lindfield Victorian House Museum is a living museum with the owner and curator, Katharine Love, living in the house as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the museum. The house is meticulously set up as it would have been when a Victorian family lived there.

Contact: Katharine Love, Curator Lindfield Victorian House Museum
72 Richmond Avenue Auckland Park Johannesburg (Entrance Greenlands Road) Johannesburg, 2092.
Phone Number: +27 11 726 2932 or text 083 589 8668
Web: lindfield.wix.com/museum/
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Author: Emma Montocchio, Problem-Solver, Decusatio

The tourism and eco-tourism sectors have been particularly hard hit as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures. As the economy starts to re-open, organisations can use powerful incentives such as YES to help re-build the sector.

The Youth Employment Service (YES) incentive out of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) rewards organisations who create youth jobs, with the opportunity to move up to 2 full levels on their B-BBEE scorecard. 

What’s great about YES is that the youth that you appoint to your program don’t need to work inside your own organization – if you are passionate about eco-tourism, you can deploy your youth into a series of tourism and eco-tourism jobs where they can gain valuable industry experience. 

With youth unemployment running at nearly 65% in many of the tourism-focused areas, here are examples of some of the YES programs we are currently working on where corporate sponsors can benefit from the B-BBEE incentive and contribute to re-building the sector:

Anti-poaching, drone and wildlife monitoring initiatives

With foreign tourism income being pulled out of the sector, anti-poaching and wildlife monitoring projects quickly became under-funded. As restrictions begin to ease, there is a lot of capacity for funding these kinds of projects and these represent a great way to invest in the sector for the long-haul.

Hospitality and Culinary

Between Limpopo and Mpumalanga roughly 150 000 matriculants graduate each year with only 30% achieving a Bachelors Degree pass. The hospitality sector allows youth without tertiary qualifications or a University level pass to be able to enter the workforce and get valuable work experience.

Equip a Beauty Spa or laundry service

Integrate your Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) with your YES investment and help young women establish either a Spa or an innovative low-water usage laundry service. What’s great about these business models is that your investment will see youth learn to become business owners and contribute to a broader tax base in the country.

Support Community Healthcare and Sanitary Pad manufacturing

COVID-19 has heavily impacted communities in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, particularly on the healthcare front. With access to healthcare infrastructure limited, organisations can partner on novel concepts including equipping Community Healthcare Worker initiatives or investing in sanitary pad manufacturing solutions as part of their ESD or SED spend. This solution allows your investment in a YES program to create new business owners and manufacture sanitary pads which can be donated to the local communities, schools and charities while tackling a very real healthcare challenge for young women.

The YES B-BBEE incentive is a powerful tool for securing recognition on your scorecard and with the right partner, you can build high-impact projects while integrating multiple elements for maximum return.

Cabinet has approved the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan which aims to get the sector back to 2019 levels by 2023. As part of this plan, the inclusion of women and youth are key to re-building the sector and we look forward to engaging with partners on these projects.

For further information: Emma Montocchio, Decusatio

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Johannesburg, 10 June 2021 – The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) is pleased to announce that it has finalised the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Traditional Equine Industry (TEI) with the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board (KZBGBB), and the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA). The objective of this partnership and collaboration is to create a platform for greater participation by previously disadvantage communities in economic opportunities presented by the horse racing value chain, including the sport, agricultural aspects, tourism aspects, regulation, administration and gaming.

The agreement will also enable the TEI to unlock funding opportunities to support the development of the sport, infrastructure, agricultural support, veterinary services and other industry related services, says Susan Rowett of the National Horseracing Authority.

“The master plan for the development of the TEI is an immensely exciting initiative and the NHA are honoured to be able to play a part.  We look forward to using our operational expertise as regulator of the thoroughbred racehorse industry to assist in the development of the traditional equine industry.  We anticipate that there will be many areas of synergy and mutual benefit because everything revolves around appreciation and respect of the horse,” says Rowett.

The TEI has a rich history of promoting long standing traditional horse sporting activities in the KwaZulu-Natal regions, providing temporary economic opportunities to thousands of people during their annual events such as the Dundee July which contributes more than R15 million annually to the local economy.

“The Department is excited to be part of this MOU which will further advance the development of the traditional equine industry. We are happy to join hands with critical stakeholders to fully explore the vast opportunities presented by this industry and maximise its entire value chain for the benefit of horse owners and communities.  Traditional horse racing started from humble beginnings and has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, and now with this partnership the industry is set to become a major contributor to economic growth and radical economic transformation,’ says Dr C T Sifunda from the provincial Department of Sport and Recreation.

This cooperative agreement will underpin the implementation of Transformation, Socio-Economic Development programmes within the Traditional Equine Industry which, in turn, will assist in job creation and contribute to developing the rural economy as most races currently take place in local districts within the province. 

“I am pleased to note that the signing of the MOU is the beginning of a journey we are undertaking with some of the key stakeholders that can assist the development of the Traditional Equine sector in KwaZulu-Natal.  We look forward to fruitful engagement with the Authority and all other stakeholders in the implementation of this Traditional Equine Industry programme, says Ms. Portia Baloyi of the KZN Gaming and Betting Board.

Through the MOU, the NHA seeks to promote all facets of the TEI racing; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its local social and economic significance for current and future generations and its sustainability.

The KZN Agribusiness Development Agency, which focuses on development and funding support for emerging businesses and organisations in the province, is excited to be part of this initiative that is aimed at promoting the rural economy through the Traditional Equine Industry, incorporating rural horse racing.

“We are looking forward to sharing our expertise in agribusiness for the development of the Traditional Equine sector,” says ADA CEO Zenzele Ndlela.

The Traditional Equine Industry stakeholders are delighted to partner up to develop and promote transformation, economic growth and job creation for traditional equine sport in KwaZulu-Natal.  As the sport develops there will be additional stakeholders to sign the MOU.

-- ENDS --

For More Information contact:
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +27 79 490 3168

The NHA’s objectives are: 

To ensure ethical and effective leadership, transfer of skills and integrity of the highest order is achieved from the foundation cascading upwards such that the value creation process, growth and sustainability of the TEI are achieved. 

Develop a framework that will unleash the economic potential of the traditional horse-riding industry within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal and stimulate the growth of the Traditional Equine Industry. 

Facilitate and co-ordinate constructive engagement between key stakeholders in the Traditional Equine Industry and through engagement will source co-operation between the social partners and key stakeholders to support the development of the KZN TEI ensuring the implementation of plans that can create economic opportunities in the sector. 

Ensure co-operation between the different spheres of government, business and the local community that participates in the TEI and to establish a common vision and direction.   

Outline the plan for the formalization and growth of the sector and aims to unlock the full economic potential and stimulate growth potential for TEI as well as provide economic opportunities and jobs, entrepreneurial potential especially for people from poor and marginalised communities. 

Create dialogue, shared learning, strategic partnerships and economic opportunities with the public sector to support the development of the TEI.

Gauteng, South Africa – Forever Resorts South Africa is delighted to announce the appointment of Eugene van Jaarsveldt succeeding Kobus Tait who is retiring from his position as the Company's Managing Director. van Jaarsveldt will assume the position on Tuesday, 1 June 2021 and will be based at the Company's Head Office in Gauteng.

van Jaarsveldt brings over two decades of experience in the Hospitality and Tourism sector to the position with a deep understanding of the industry, business skills and an innovative mind-set. He aims to maintain a strong strategic direction, grow and develop the Company, strengthen various partnerships and build onto the success of the group. van Jaarsveldt's journey with Forever Resorts started in 1999 where he joined the team at Warmbaths, A Forever Resort. Since then he has worked at various Forever properties including, Forever Blyde Canyon and Forever Badplaas where he held the position of General Manager for several years. More recently, he held the position of Group Business Development and Marketing Executive.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly presented challenging times for us as an industry over the last fourteen months, and navigating the market dynamics towards our full recovery is the current priority. The Forever Resorts group will continue to deliver safe and innovative experiences combined with exceptional hospitality to guests visiting our properties across South Africa. I am excited about the future, and look forward to enjoying this new chapter in our Company’s history with our passionate team, our loyal guests and our valued partners, van Jaarsveldt said.

"For the past 43 years, Kobus has been an integral part of our Forever Family and has shaped the organisation during its various transitions. His passion for the Tourism industry and vibrant approach to business will be missed. We would like to thank Kobus for his invaluable contribution and leadership he provided during his time with the group, and wish him a retirement filled with many more adventures", van Jaarsveldt concluded.

Tait's journey with Forever Resorts started in February 1978 where he was a Senior Financial Clerk at Forever Blyde Canyon, Mpumalanga. Since then Tait held multiple positions within the group across South Africa before taking up various Managerial roles and ultimately the role of Managing Director in 2003. Tait will be joining his wife in retirement and will be taking up his role as a full-time grandfather to his two beautiful grandchildren.

More about Forever Resorts South Africa

Forever Resorts offers the discerning traveller a superb variety three, four and five star accommodation options strategically situated in key areas throughout South Africa, namely Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State and the Western Cape. The group offers something for every traveller – luxury Lodges, adventure holidays, self-catering holidays, Caravanning and Camping, Conferences, Weddings, Functions, Hydro’s, beauty Spas, Hiking trails, Boating, Fishing, eco-adventures, waterparks and so much more! Visit www.foreversa.co.za for more information about the group and their offerings.

• Currently, tourism in Southern Africa is dominated by giant monopolies that do not capture the essence of Africa; nor do they work with locals to ensure sustainability of the industry;
• The SAIS challenge focusses on boosting entrepreneurship and sustainable income opportunities in the tourism industry in Southern Africa;
• Opportunities to be addressed are empowering women in tourism, lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”. 

Johannesburg, 8 August 2019 – Coinciding with Women’s Month, the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS),along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, launched their SAIS open innovation tourism challenge aimed at empowering women in tourism, while also focussing on lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”.

The challenge aims to increase the confidence of women in the workplace while providing business models that ensure the safety of all female staff in the tourism sector. Particular attention is also being paid to including women in rural areas and empowering disabled women in the industry. 

When asked about the challenge, RIIS Executive Clen Cook said: “There’s a lot of boxes that need to be ticked in this challenge. We want to mould the tourism industry into a sector that uplifts women and provides them with an equal opportunity to earn a sustainable income. By creating a landscape in which gender diversification is possible, we will hopefully ultimately see an increased female ownership of tourism facilities.”

More information around this latest initiative can be found on https://www.oiregionalconnect.com/.

Contact: Alana Kruger

Project Manager

Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) 

Switchboard: +27 12 012 5015

Cell: +27 72 607 0332

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The African Association for Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AAVEA) is gearing up to host its sixth annual conference for attractions managers and industry professionals at the Radisson RED Hotel in Cape Town on 21 and 22 August 2019. 

The association, which launched in April 2019, is proud to present an inspiring two-day programme of insightful case studies, captivating presentations by international and local speakers, and thought-provoking roundtable discussions. 

This year’s programme will include a presentation by Mikael Ahlerup, the CEO of Lund Group in Norway. The Lund Group is a family-owned company that goes back generations and is one of Norway’s largest leisure companies. Mikael will be sharing his experience on how to embrace leadership. 

AAVEA is supported by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) who will be holding its Institute for Attractions Managers (IAM) at the Radisson RED Hotel from 18 to 20 August 2019. The IAM course, being held for the first time ever in Africa, is directed at emerging industry professionals who have the potential to join senior management team and newly hired executives in the attractions industry. Those who participate in both the AAVEA Annual Conference and the IAM course will be awarded 26 credits towards their IAAPA qualification as a Certified Attractions Leader, an internationally recognised endorsement that can open up opportunities in the attractions industry. 

AAVEA president Sabine Lehmann, who founded the conference in 2014, is excited to welcome participants to both of these attractions industry events.

 “Both the AAVEA conference and the IAM course are fantastic opportunities for African attractions managers to learn from and with the best global pioneers in the industry. We are proud to be working alongside the IAAPA team to bring emerging trends, best practice case studies, and universal benchmarks to the shores of Cape Town, and to showcase examples of local excellence to our international peers. Register today and join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” says Lehmann. 

Join us at the Annual AAVEA Conference 2019:

Attractions Africa, now AAVEA, will hold its sixth annual conference (AAVEA 2019) on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August 2019 at the Radisson RED Hotel in Cape Town. The conference is a two-day gathering especially designed for visitor experience and attraction professionals. The programme offers insights into best practice, trends, management, and bench marking. Networking events open up collaboration opportunities. Panelists and presenters share personal experiences and case studies of real-world excellence. It’s the only African platform for visitor experience and attraction professionals to network, share, and seek solutions together.  

Conference registration for AAVEA 2019 is open and AAVEA members will enjoy special discounted pricing.  

For more information about AAVEA, please visit www.aavea.org.za, call +27 (0)21 683 2934, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• The open innovation projects fall under the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) Programme funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland);
• RIIS partners with the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), and Brynston Creations to complete the planned projects;
• The first two projects tailored for the Agriculture and Tourism sectors to launch 22 July 2019;
• Successful challenge entrants to receive support, including a three-month incubation at BITRI which includes pitching training, business validation assistance and the opportunity to potentially receive start-up funding from relevant venture capitalists.  

Johannesburg, 9 July 2019 – The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, launched the second Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme, aimed at addressing challenges in the Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism (HEAT) sectors through open innovation in the SADC region. 

Funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the first two challenges launching 22 July will focus on the Agriculture and Tourism sectors. The planned agriculture open innovation project will concentrate on ensuring food security for the future of Africa while considering soil fertility, mitigating the risk of climate change, human-animal conflict and agricultural technology adoption. The tourism open innovation challenge aims to ensure the sector as a stable income for the continent through empowering women in tourism, lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”. 

At an event held in Johannesburg, RIIS Executive Clen Cook, said: “This whole programme is designed to foster collaboration which will enable innovation that crosses borders. By using the open innovation approach, entrepreneurs from all walks of life and means are provided with a platform into the market. We encourage all who want to help address the challenges we face in the SADC region to participate. Through RIIS, BITRI, and SAIS we will do our part through the provision of extensive support, training, and development, as well as potential access to funds, to make all start-ups identified in these challenges a success.” 

More information around this latest initiative can be found on https://www.oiregionalconnect.com/.

Contact: Alana Kruger
Project Manager
Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) 

Switchboard: +27 12 012 5015
Cell: +27 72 607 0332
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.