MTPA Safety and Clean-up drive a bring stakeholder’s in one place

By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe

The MTPA(Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency), has turned Sanibonani Resort Hotel and Spa, in Hazyview, into a rallying point for tourism protection, bringing together industry, traditional leaders, government, and communities for its Tourism Safety Campaign and Environmental Clean-Up Initiative.

The message for the day day from all stakeholders and speakers was clear: a clean and secure province keeps visitors longer, creates jobs, and builds dignity for residents.

‘A Clean and Safe Destination Keeps Tourists Staying Longer’ 

MTPA Interim Board Chairperson, Fish Mahlalela, said environmental care is economic strategy.

“A clean and safe destination keeps tourists staying longer. The public must understand that the arrival of every 10 tourists creates one job. Tourism is a key economic driver in the Mpumalanga Province,” said Mr. Fish Mahlalela.

Mahlalela also appealed to taxi associations to curb littering by providing bins or refuse bags in vehicles. He added that the sector must look to the future:

“We need to embrace technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve our effectiveness in the tourism sector. Communities must also be actively involved and recognise the value of tourism. We must create an environment where local communities benefit from tourism,” Mahlalela said.

Traditional Leadership at the Centre 

Ntwanano Mtungwa, MTPA Executive Manager for Tourism, said the Agency cannot succeed without traditional leaders and communities.

“We appreciate your presence here. We are a public entity and we exist to serve you. It is therefore important that we consult with you in everything that we do, particularly our traditional leaders who are in charge of communities. We found it important that as we embark on cleaning our environment we work closely with aboNdabezitha because they are responsible for our moral regeneration,” Mtungwa said.

He warned that litter is a long-term threat: “The waste that we see all over takes time to bio-degrade and it stays in the environment for a long time. This litter will outlive us. Our children and grandchildren will find a very dirty environment.”

Mtungwa said the MTPA is working with schools, municipalities, and recyclers, while also promoting safety through Ubuntu and cooperation with police: “We want people to feel safe in their communities, and the tourists to also feel safe when they visit our province.” He also noted the Mpumalanga Tourism Youth Expo fund supporting young innovators in tourism.

Security, Cleanliness, and Fewer Tourist Attacks 

Linda Grimbeek, CEO( Chief Executive Officer) of KLCBT( Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism) said security and cleanliness are linked.

“We are the glue between private sector and government as well as other like-minded organisations. Without tourists, none of us would be here today. What you don’t see anymore is attacks on tourists around here, which was the order of the day a few years ago.

“ Thanks to this project and our excellent team of investigators and intelligence officers, we have arrested all those people, and that is why we still have a tourism industry,” Grimbeek said.

She highlighted a 24-hour Tourism Reference Support System helpline and beautification projects with Ehlanzeni District Municipality and MTPA. On littering, she said:

“We’ve got seven distinct cultures in the Lowveld but we are creating a new culture of throwing rubbish around. We’ve combined the security and cleaning campaign because uncleanliness is the base of lawlessness. It being revealed that if you clean a place, you reduce crime by 20%.”

Government Backs the Push 

Mr Mzamane from Mpumalanga DCSSL (Community Safety, Security, and Liaison) said safety and dignity go hand in hand with cleanliness.

“A clean and safe environment reflects our shared commitment to dignity, health and respect for one another. Every act of service, no matter how small it is, contributes to building a stronger and healthier communities. The more we promote our area by reflecting how clean it land safe it is, the nore tourists that we are going to get. As a Department, our responsibility is on safety,” said Mr Mzamane.

Broad Support, Next Steps

MTPA said it will now roll out community dialogues across the province to sustain momentum on tourism safety and environmental cleanliness, with the goal of strengthening Mpumalanga’s reputation as a safe, clean, and attractive destination.