Mpumalanga Tourism Month at Loskop Dam with push for local travel

By Kopano Dibakwane

Mpumalanga wants you to travel more, stay longer, and spend local.

This was revealed during the Media Launch briefing as part of 2026 Tourism Month activities hosted by Mpumalanga DEDT (Department of Economic Development and Tourism), and MTPA (Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency), at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality on 31 August 2026.

The event, led by DEDT MEC Jesta Sidell, hosted local and national media houses to mark the start of a month-long drive to sell the province to its own people first.

According to DEDT, the media launch and planned tourism month activities sought to promote Mpumalanga as the accessible value-for-money destination for all seasons within the borders of the province; to position Mpumalanga as a favourable leisure tourism destination of choice and further inculcate a culture of intra-provincial travel.

Speaking on the banks of Loskop Dam, MEC Sidell said Tourism Month is not just about celebration, but about economic inclusion.

Sidell said September is recognised globally and nationally as Tourism Month, culminating in World Tourism Day on 27 September.

“Our focus aligns with national objectives to drive domestic tourism while leveraging digital innovation to lower barriers for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises),” said MEC Sidell.

“We want South Africans to travel more, stay longer and spend locally. We also want to showcase our established attractions while bringing greater attention to the many emerging destinations and tourism products across the province. Our message this September is therefore simple: Discover Mpumalanga,” MEC Sidell added.

But beautiful landscapes mean nothing if people don’t feel safe. That’s where MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube stepped in to reassure visitors.

“September is our Tourism Month, and we are showcasing our diverse tourism offerings, and we are also expecting domestic, and international tourists to come into our province and explore our scenic beauty. Mpumalanga is a very beautiful province and it’s very safe,” said Shungube.

He added that various campaigns have been put into effect around the province to educate people about the importance of protecting tourists.

“So far, we are working well with our stakeholders, traditional leadership, and the tourism community, and they are assisting us. Our tourists have been safe in Mpumalanga, and this province is the safest in the whole country. We encourage people to come and feel free,” said Shungube.

**Pic:(front-seated) DEDT MEC, Jesta Sidell, DEDT HOD, Immy Serakalala, alongside MTPA leadership, as well as Loskop Dam management, and other stakeholders**

According to Sungube, safety is not just talk, it’s cameras, boots on the ground and partnerships.

“We have also installed surveillance cameras in strategic attractions, working together with the private sector, the SAPS (South African Police Service) for visible patrolling,” Shungube said.

The local, national and international media houses have been winding through the Place of the Rising Sun, from the waters of eMalahleni Boat and Caravan Club in Nkangala to lodges, mountains and reserves, tasting, sailing, and sleeping in Mpumalanga.

The 2026 theme; “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era”, puts emphasis on domestic tourism, affordability, and digital access for MSMEs, ensuring small operators, like lodge owners across the province also benefit from the tourism boom.

With its wildlife, dams, mountains and culture, Mpumalanga is positioning itself as a destination for all seasons, and for all budgets.