Recreation and Tourism

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    Assessing the performance in high schools offering tourism in Nkomazi sub-district in Mpumalanga province
    (University of Zululand, 2022) Banda, Phasile Tilly
    In general, Tourism as a subject is regarded as an easy subject or a subject which is easy to be passed even if one does not have its background knowledge. A number of schools take the subject for granted in such a way that learners are encouraged to enrol for the subject at , without having any knowledge of the subject while in Grade 10 and 11. Some schools have failed to consider the special requirements as stipulated in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) before offering the subject. It has therefore become a common practice for a number of schools in the province that Tourism (as a school subject) is introduced without following the right procedure. The province has four districts: Bohlabela, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, and Nkangala. The study was conducted at Ehlanzeni district with the main focus on Nkomazi sub-district. The main aim of the study was to find out what could be the possible cause of underperformance of learners in high school doing Tourism at Grade 12 in Nkomazi sub-district in the Mpumalanga Province. The key findings in this mixed methods research are as follows:  Apart from shortage and lack of recommended infrastructure (facilities), it was also found that Tourism classrooms not shared with other subjects were not available in 90% of the schools.  Scarcity of resources, absence of the internet connection, LTSM, including textbooks, maps and globes in schools were also found as impacting negatively on academic performance.  Teachers did not use a variety of teaching and learning styles, and strategies when teaching.  Assessment and assessment strategies including medium of instruction were found to be leading to misunderstanding of questions.  It was discovered also that lesson preparation is key, as it enabled the teacher to cover the content of the curriculum.  Regarding teacher qualification, 60% of the participants were of the opinion that teachers need to be qualified. The study recommends that the Department of Education should not allow schools to offer Tourism as a school subject if the necessary infrastructure and resources are not available.There should be the internet facilities, and supply of LTSM. There should also be monitoring programmes to ensure that different teaching and learning styles are used. It is recommended that a political globe not shared with Geography should be put in place. Tourism teachers should have a qualification, and skills development programmes should include courses that will develop teachers, and give them certification. Funds may be allocated to teachers who want to have qualification in Tourism.
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    An investigation into the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy across generations of Basotho women: the case of Basotho women in Mafeteng, Lesotho
    (2022) Notsi, Libopuoa
    This study examines the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy (linyonyobetsane/earth eating/soil eating) across different generations of the Basotho women using the case study of women in Mafeteng area in Lesotho. Thus, I deploy the theoretical framework of indigenous knowledge systems and an exploratory case study design to make sense of the meaning(s) of geophagy from the standpoint and experience of the Basotho women who participate in this practice on daily basis. The specific indigenous knowledge system utilised to make sense of the practice of geophagy from a cultural and commercial point of view is the theory eZiko siPheka siSophula (an African indigenous theory), which is widespread among the Nguni people found in southern Africa. The findings of the study indicate that geophagy is not only common among the Basotho women of different age groups but also connote different cultural and commercial values beyond the physical act of eating soil among those who practice it. Therefore, amid the cultural and economic significance of geophagy for the Basotho women; aspects and meanings like soothing taste, quelling of nauseaous feelings, and pleasant flavour indicate that, indeed, geophagy is not a meaningless act of consuming soil by women of different generations but embodies specific meanings that can only be understood from an insider’s perspective. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the intergenerational, cultural and commercial significance of geophagy among Basotho women in Mafeteng. Geophagy is an observed old practice that has been transferred from one generation to another even though it still raises questions in the contemporary world. Therefore, it has never received a universal appropriate name. To demonstrate the cultural and commercial benefits of earth eating and to examine relationships between scientific and indigenous knowledge of earth eating, the study employed a qualitative technique that made use of focus group discussion (lekhotla or indigenous talking circle) as a way of collecting data throughout all the regions with the help of a focus group guide to unravel deeper conversations. The study concluded that building collaboration, and a partnership among different relevant stakeholders, to promote geophagy is fundamental. The study is envisaged to inspire policymakers and community development that instil sustainable healthy geophagy and stimulate entrepreneurial strategies for rural women.
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    Modelling selected factors influencing business success in tourism-related entrepreneurship: a case of Mtubatuba Local Municipality
    (University of Zululand, 2022-11) Ntshangase, Sibusiso David
    Entrepreneurship is recognised as a significant component of economic growth, employment generation, and innovation. Tourism remains an important economic sector worldwide, and its contribution to any country’s economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction, including developing countries like South Africa (SA) cannot be overemphasised. Drawing from human capital theory and theory of opportunity identification, this research aimed to develop and statistically test a theoretical model of tourism entrepreneurial success by exploring factors that may lead to tourism entrepreneurial success and investigating the relationship links on how these factors interact to influence tourism entrepreneurship success. The study used a sample of 350 tourism-related entrepreneurs surveyed in different regions of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, to address study hypotheses. Data analyses were conducted in two phases. The first phase of the analyses dealt with data integrity, using IBM SPSS software version 28, while the second phase tested the measurement (that is, construct validity and reliability of the instrument) and structural model using partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method involving a multivariate analytical technique, implemented on SmartPLS software version 4.0.8. The study found significant relationships between human capital theory and opportunity identification theory with business success in tourism entrepreneurship. The study examined theoretically derived factors leading to tourism business success and the relationship was higher for internal environmental factors than external environmental factors. The results suggest that internal business environmental factors such as entrepreneurs’ profile (e.g., gender, age, level of education), entrepreneurs’ type of business, and entrepreneurial attributes have significant influence on tourism business success. The results further validate that external business environmental factors such as the nature of the business competitive environment, government regulations, guidance on business development, and access to information have significant influence on tourism business success. This study provides an alternative model that challenges the existing models of business success and this alternative model, which is in-line with human capital theory and opportunity identification theory, offers more flexibility in understanding business success models in different entrepreneurial contexts. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were made to Mtubatuba Local Municipality business support offices, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, and owners of Small Medium and Micro Tourism Enterprises in Mtubatuba Local Municipality. Further studies in other African or developing nations are necessary to compare and contrast different entrepreneurial success models generated from these nations. By so doing, national specifics will be unearthed and added to the body of knowledge.
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    Umkhosi weLembe as a potential tourism promotion strategy in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (University of Zululand, 2021) Sibiya, Theodorah Nokuzola
    UMkhosi weLembe is the popular cultural event both in KwaDukuza Local Municipality and the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Despite, there is paucity of literature on the strategies and their effectiveness in promoting and sustaining uMkhosi weLembe. Having identified this literary gap, the present study was aimed at establishing the potential of the uMkhosi weLembe event, which is a cultural and community initiative, for promoting tourism in KwaDukuza. The researcher viewed cultural events as potential strategy for the promotion of tourism to be predicated upon the social exchange theory based on its theoretical perspective and alignment. A mixed methods approach was followed for the collection and analysis of the data. Quantitative data were collected by means of a survey questionnaire and the responses were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version. 27 software). The software enabled the researcher to run statistical analysis to test the reliability of the survey questionnaire and to generate frequency tables, graphs, and charts to present the data and discuss the findings based on the objectives of the study. Qualitative data were collected by means of interviews using an interview schedule and the data were analysed by means of content analysis. This method enabled the researcher to identify common trends in the responses and the respondents’ perceptions and views regarding the topic under investigation could thus be determined so that valid conclusions could be drawn. The results that emerged from the data analysis process were then interpreted to make meaning of the participants’ views regarding issues related to the chosen topic. The first objective of the study was to establish if there were strategies in place that promote tourism through the UMkhosi weLembe event in KwaDukuza. The study revealed that various strategies had been introduced by means of the uMkhosi weLembe initiative to promote tourism in the study area. However, the community in the study area was unaware of the strategies, which made the potential for their sustainability to remain questionable. The second object of the study was to establish if existing policies effectively guided tourism promotion in KwaDukuza. It was found that various policies guided tourism promotion in the KwaDukuza Local Municipality. Notwithstanding, the study suggests that those who are part of planning, organising, and implementing tourism policies need to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation campaigns or surveys to assess the effectiveness of these policies on the intended audience. The third objective of the study was to examine the factors that might enable the uMkhosi weLembe event to become a viable tourism promotion strategy in KwaDukuza. It is suggested that the KwaDukuza Municipality has great potential for attracting both international and domestic tourists due to its amenities and attractions. It also transpired that safety protocols were observed during the uMkhosi weLembe festivities, particularly as police officers’ visibility and the warm hospitability of the inhabitants of the study area were noted. The fourth objective of the study was to explore the local community’s perceptions of the uMkhosi weLembe event in the KwaDukuza. It was apparent that the local community of KwaDukuza had a positive attitude towards the uMkhosi weLembe event. The study found that the local community and community leaders attended uMkhosi weLembe and that local businesses benefited from the event. It was evident that community leaders participated actively in uMkhosi weLembe planning and management processes on behalf of the community. However, a problem that was identified was that these community leaders did not share their insights and plans with the inhabitants they represented. It was clear that uMkhosi weLembe was perceived by the community as a sacred traditional and cultural event and that it has the potential to become a powerful strategy for tourism promotion in KwaDukuza as it attracts visitors from various areas. Attendees of the uMkhosi weLembe event seemed to be attracted mainly by its cultural appeal as visual displays and live performances evoked a sense of belonging and cultural pride. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the event and this limited the thickness of the data that could be generated. The study concluded that the uMkhosi weLembe event has the potential to become a viable strategy for promoting tourism in KwaDukuza. However, when the theoretical underpinning of the study is taken into consideration, the low level of community awareness of the strategies and policies in place to promote uMkhosi weLembe compels the recommendation that community outreach campaigns should be launched to assess the concerns of community members regarding uMkhosi weLembe and to address their recommendations. Clearly, the effectiveness of existing policies should be enhanced as only then will the intended purposes of this cultural initiative be achieved.
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    The potential of African religious pilgrimages as a tool for tourism development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (University of Zululand, 2021-04) Linda, Nompumelelo
    The main purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of African religious pilgrimages towards tourism development in South Africa using the province of KwaZulu-Natal as a case study or as an example. Given that the religious sector is apart of the tourism sector, the study sought to establish whether pilgrimage destinations would be perceived as a socio-economic contributor to the country’s economy. The study adopted a mixed method design with both quantitative and qualitative modes of inquiry used during the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents through face-to-face surveys. The quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Pearson correlation and Mann-Whitey U tests as well as bivariate analyses were used to determine the relationships between individual dependent and independent variables. These were considered essential for testing the objectives. For the qualitative data, content analysis was used to filter the meanings of open-ended responses in order to establish the respondents’ in-depth understanding and/or own interpretation of the subject under enquiry. During this process, the sequential parts or common threads from data were classified according to their categories in order to generate themes and sub-themes for the purpose of interpreting the outcomes against the research questions. The findings showed that while African religious pilgrimages have the potential to make socio-economic contributions, they are not perceived in that manner by religious leaders and local stakeholders. The major recommendation from this study is for stakeholders to enhance the socio-economic potential of religious pilgrimages such that they promote them as tourism and/or socio-economic development stimuli within the study areas and elsewhere in South Africa.
University of Zululand