Pic : (From Left) Thembisile Hani Municipal Manage , Dumisani Mahlangu, (Chairperson of the Thembisile Hani Local Tourism Organisation, Snappy Johannes Ntshwane,
In Thembisile Hani, art is not hung on walls. The walls are the art. The villages are colorful, the culture is alive, and the welcome is warm.
Painted by the hands of Ndebele women, the colorful patterns are not just decoration. They are history. They are prayer. They are pride passed from mother to daughter for generations.
“This initiative aims to show what we have on offer for tourists who visit our area,” said Ntshwane.
“We aim to develop our villages and include the local people in the programme of township tourism so that they can establish their own tourism businesses that we can promote,” he explained.
He added that the month of September is an opportune time to host this event and educate the local residents about various tourism programmes with the aim to attract more sponsors and strategic stakeholders to assist in developing Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, as well Nkangala District in general.
What To Expect
Visitors will not just observe culture – they will live it.
• The Living Art Gallery: Meet the gogo’s whose hands create the world-famous Ndebele house paintings – bold, geometric masterpieces that have been exhibited from Paris to New York, but belong right here.
• The Beadwork That Tells a Story: Discover intricate beadwork where every color has a meaning. See the iconic idzila – the stacked brass rings worn by married Ndebele women – and learn about the traditional blankets, aprons and headpieces that signify age, status and identity.
• Taste, Dance and Belong: Taste authentic Ndebele cuisine served with warm hospitality, from slow-cooked traditional dishes to home-brewed umqombothi. Feel the ground vibrate under traditional dance and songs that keep the language of amaNdebele alive.
“We are hosting this event to ensure that all South Africans from other provinces can be aware about the tourism products that we have in store in KwaNdebele, and what they can expect to explore when they visit our shores, since we are known as a Cultural Heartland. We are trying to promote our culture and the beauty of our area,” said Mtshoane.
According to Mtshoane, the tour will furthermore convince travellers that rural areas can provide the best tourism services, in terms of restaurants and accommodation, that are similar to those in towns and cities.
He added that economic transformation is the driving force behind conducting such initiatives and the support from stakeholders will turn dreams into reality. Beyond showcasing beauty, the tour has a powerful socio-economic purpose.
“We are happy that the municipality has shown great interest and support towards this initiative because our collaboration will reduce the levels of unemployment in our area as more people will find job opportunities and improve their lives through tourism, subsequently this will play a pivotal role in the quest to develop our area and put it amongst the best tourism attractions in the province,” Ntshwane said.
Don’t Just Hear About It, Experience It
The Annual Tourism Tour will be covered by local media houses, and influential voices, bringing the beauty, culture and opportunities of Thembisile Hani to a wider audience.
On 16 and 17 September, the road to heritage leads to Thembisile Hani.
Come for the photographs that will take your breath away. The authenticity of the area will steal your heart.
