Author: Chukwu Godlove
As global tourism prepares for around 30 billion visits and a R296 trillion contribution to the economy by 2034, pressure grows to protect natural attractions. Boschendal Wine Estate/michael clarke stuff/Wikimedia Commons In response, Boschendal, South Africa’s 340-year-old heritage wine estate in Franschhoek, has achieved Green Key certification for its accommodation. It is the first wine estate in the world to earn this recognition. According to CBN, Boschendal’s CEO Amy Kropman says the certification ‘affirms our dedication to regenerating both the land and the communities we serve’. She points out that the estate’s integrated approach spans hospitality excellence and environmental stewardship. Green Key,…
The Ministry of Sports (MINISPORTS) targets generating Rwf 30 billion from sports tourism and events by 2029, taking a significant leap from the Rwf 1 billion projected in the 2024/25 fiscal year, according to the report of the latest Sports and Culture Sector Strategic Plan. The target aligns with Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), under which President Paul Kagame has urged players in the sports sector to treat sports as a talent-based business that fosters sustainable development, economic growth, and social well-being for all Rwandans. As part of this roadmap, MINISPORTS also plans to build 540 sports facilities…
An American millionaire was fatally gored by a buffalo he was hunting during a safari expedition in Limpopo this past Sunday. Asher Watkins Outdoors/Facebook Asher Watkins, 52, had reportedly paid approximately R177,221 to Coernraad Vermaak Safaris to take part in a big game hunting trip in which he intended to stalk and shoot wild animals, as previously reported by IOL. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” said Hans Vermaak, a representative of the safari company, in an official statement. “On Sunday, while…
Borno State governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has promised that the Borno State Teaching Hospital, when completed, will significantly reduce medical tourism among the state’s indigenes and the wider North East region. Governor Zulum made this known during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction of the multi-billion naira facility located along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road. The 400-bed Teaching Hospital, which has 15 specialised departments, will serve as a training centre for medical students from Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, while providing high-quality healthcare services to residents. Speaking to journalists after the inspection visit, Governor Zulum emphasised the importance of the project…
South Africa is often hailed as the birthplace of humankind, and yet some of its most important Stone Age sites lie off the tourist radar. While the Cradle of Humankind receives busloads of visitors, a quieter, more atmospheric experience awaits those willing to veer off the main routes. Whether you’re a heritage buff, an offbeat adventurer, or simply looking for a soul-stirring escape, these ancient sites and their nearby stays promise meaningful travel without the crowds. 1. Makapansgat Valley – Limpopo Potgietersrus, Makapansgat Valley/hermansmit/Wikimedia Commons Tucked away in Limpopo’s Waterberg region, Makapansgat is part of the broader Cradle of Humankind…
These aren’t your average tourist stops. They’re living, breathing neighbourhoods — places where South Africa’s soul is stitched into every street corner. From Alexandra’s defiant jazz echoes to Ginsberg’s literary spirit and Bo-Kaap’s spice-scented resilience, these areas aren’t add-ons to your travel itinerary — they are the destination. Why historic neighbourhoods matter Too often, township or heritage areas are sidelined as ‘optional’ or labelled as ‘poverty tourism’ — but this misses the point entirely. These neighbourhoods are cultural powerhouses, repositories of resilience, creativity, and history that helped shape the nation’s identity. Exploring them through community-led heritage tours offers visitors an…
Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa can now send money home more affordably and conveniently thanks to a newly launched partnership between Mama Money and Capitec Bank, South Africa’s largest digital retail bank. The two financial powerhouses unveiled their cross-border remittance collaboration at a high-profile event in Harare on Tuesday marking a significant shift in how Zimbabwean families receive support from loved ones abroad. The service allows Zimbabwean Capitec clients to send money through Mama Money’s digital platform with funds collectable via mobile money or cash pickup in cities, towns and rural communities across Zimbabwe. The process is streamlined:…
Cape Town is ramping up its mass pet sterilization campaign, targeting 1 500 domestic animals in Ravensmead, Elsies River and Bellville South between August and December. Image used for illustrative purposes/Jonatan Bustos/Unsplash The project, funded by the City of Cape Town and run in partnership with the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF), has already sterilized 17 876 pets since 2013 at a cost of R8 million. This year, the City has allocated R850 000 to the initiative, which aims to: Prevent unwanted litters Reduce animal cruelty and neglect Improve community health through responsible pet ownership ‘We’re proud of this long-standing partnership,’ said Councillor…
The US State Department said Monday some visa applicants will soon be required to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to discourage visa overstays as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on migration. Starting later this month, the pilot program will require applicants from certain countries to pay a sum of “no less than $5,000” as collateral for the issuance of their visa, with the funds returned if they comply with the terms of their stay or forfeited if they remain past the deadline. “Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000…
In South Africa, hiking is more than a pastime—it’s a pilgrimage through layers of history. Beneath each footstep lies evidence of early humans, ancient oceans, and the first whispers of civilisation. Trails wind past San shell middens, Iron Age relics, and fossilised seabeds, offering outdoor lovers a rare chance to journey through time while surrounded by spectacular scenery. These are the hiking trails where the past is always underfoot—and always awe-inspiring. 1. The Otter Trail – Garden Route National Park Waterfall on Otter Trail/Rotational/Wikimedia Commons One of South Africa’s most iconic hikes, the Otter Trail hugs a rugged coastline that…