Thembisile Hani eyes comeback as top tourism destination

By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality is reclaiming its place on the tourism map with the launch of the Annual Thembisile Hani Tourism Tour, which took place on 16 and 17 September 2026.

The two-day tour, supported by MTPA(Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency), brought together tour operators, media houses, community members and stakeholders with a mission to show the world that Thembisile Hani was, and will again be, a tourist destination.

Speaking during the official launch held at Zithabiseni Resort and Conference Centre in Kwaggafontein, on 16 September 2026, Snappy Johannes Ntshwane, Chairperson of the Thembisile Hani LTO(Local Tourism Organisation), laid out an ambitious vision tied to the current road construction linking the area to Loskop Dam.

He said people need to be reminded that Thembisile Hani was once a thriving tourist destination. Ntshwane said the ultimate goal is to attract investors and business people to start building guest houses and resorts.

“If you look at all the god places around it tells you that previously we were able to receive about 150 tourists from Europe. We believe that after this tour we’ll start getting the same number of tourists again. We are also inviting other tour operators to visit Thembisile Hani, particularly when they go to Gogo Dr Esther Mahlangu, they must know that Zithabeni is not the only accommodation in our area. We have plenty other accommodation that they can access and put more tourists into the vicinity.” Ntshwane said.

He added that information is available through the LTO website and through established tour operators who are now tasked with marketing and selling the area to potential tourists.

According to Ntshwane, appeals have been made to the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the MTPA(Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency) about the crumbling infrastructure at Zithabiseni, but no feedback has been received.

For the community, the revival is not just about tourism, it is about securing a lasting economic activity to empower local people.

One of the most prominent ambassadors of isiNdebele language and culture, Thando Mahlangu, who is also a Ndebele art painter, African cultural activist, author, and radio personality, painted a painful picture of what has been lost.

Mahlangu said Zithabiseni was previously an economic engine, but today, only one conference room and three sleeping areas are operational.

“We’ve noticed that there’s a gap for our area to create an economic cycle as it did previously. Twenty years ago this place used to make a lot of money for the local people,” Mahlangu said.

According to Mahlangu, the collapse of Zithabiseni has affected the entire value chain, from guesthouses and liquor outlets to street vendors and transport operators.

He recalled the glory days of Jazz in The Bush, the biggest Jazz event, and the All-White Parties, when the whole area from September to March was buzzing with economic activity.

“Arts & culture and tourism are the key contributors to the country’s GDP. This place has introduced great talent to the world in the likes of Dr Esther Mahlangu, Dr Esther Mnguni, Mama Nosinki. We know that government says this area of ours is a cultural heartland, and it must be so,” he said.

“We want these events to return. Tourism brings money into the country, because we are able to attract international tourists to visit our area and leave dollars behind. We can never realise that if this place Zithabiseni remains in this state.” Mahlangu lamented.