Zulu cultural traditions : a draw card for tourism in KwaZulu Natal with special reference to the Lebombo spatial development initiative
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Date
2002
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Abstract
The study aims at re-awakening the interest in the places of importance in
KwaZulu Natal, interest in the revival of the cultural traditions, the beliefs, food
preparations, crafts and being aware of the job opportunities offered by the
government's plans about the Lebombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI).
The underlying motive of the study is to create awareness that KwaZulu Natal is,
and forever will be a tourist attraction destination. It is aimed at encouraging the
people in their communities to be involved in one way or another in creating a
conducive atmosphere that will make tourists feel welcome in KwaZulu Natal.
The satisfied tourists will keep on coming back again and again which will in turn create job opportunities and result in alleviation of poverty and unemployment in
our province. Speaking of the benefits of tourism, Gill (1996: vi) says in his
preface;
Tourism today has been acknowledged as an industry, and both the
government and the private sector have planned tourism as an essential
component of their economics. For further development tourism needs
planning investment and scientific study.
This acknowledgement of tourism as a viable industry by the government has
been shown by our Government by structuring a number of Spatial Development
Initiatives, such as Lebombo SDI which is part of this study.
This study serves to show that there should be a link m a relationship between
history and tourism and that the two can work wonders in contributing towards
the development of the country's economy. Natural resources and the places of
historical importance make KwaZulu Natal the most attractive tourist destination
of the world, with its World Heritage site at St Lucia.
KwaZulu Natal offers everything in a rich variety - its mountains and bills,
valleys, scenic beauty, monuments and memorials, traditional arts and dances,
fairs and festivals and dozens of other precious things that make the country a
mosaic of living traditions.
So the objective of this study is to remind the people in their communities that, as
schools today speak of outcomes based education with its emphasis on
entrepreneurial skills and job creation rather than job-seeking, so does the
government speak of mobilizing communities to work together to bring about
change and better life for all its citizens. It is therefore the objective of this study
to make the communities aware that it is not too late to start being involved in
building our communities. Let us dream and have high hopes and visions for the
future of our province, our country and ultimately our future generations.
Description
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of IsiZulu at the University of Zululand, 2002.
Keywords
Heritage tourism., Popular culture.