The Free State government is committed to transforming the province into a top tourism destination rather than just a thoroughfare to other destinations.

This was the key message delivered by Finance, Tourism, and Economic Development MEC Koketso Makume during the launch of Tourism Month from Friday (23/8) to Sunday at Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve near Bethulie in the Southern Free State.

The event featured a variety of outdoor activities, including a camp-out experience, a 4x4 eco-challenge, a game drive, and a Potjie Kos cooking competition. Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve a wildlife reserve nestled between the Orange and Caledon rivers, served as a fitting backdrop for the launch, highlighting the province’s natural beauty and rich biodiversity.

Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve is nestled between the Orange and Caledon rivers. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

In his address, Makume emphasised the department’s vision to showcase the Free State as a must-visit destination, not merely a province to pass through.

“We are standing here at the top of Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve, observing this unique rock formation. I believe there’s a story to be told here; it’s a distinctive feature of our province.

“Our goal today is to encourage Free State residents to explore their province and to inform all South Africans that the Free State is a destination worth visiting, not just a place to drive through.”

The MEC acknowledged the popularity of well-known tourist areas such as Clarens and Parys but expressed a desire to draw visitors to the entire Free State.

Camping Tents at Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

He encouraged travelers passing through the province to take a detour and experience the Free State’s scenic landscapes and outdoor attractions. Makume also urged Free State residents to begin exploring their local nature reserves and other tourist sites.

Destea Head of Department Mbulelo Nokwequ echoed these sentiments, highlighting the department’s efforts to refurbish major tourist attractions and promote the province’s unique offerings to both domestic and international visitors.

He also noted the significant contributions of women in the tourism sector, urging men to support them by taking a stand against gender-based violence (GBV).

“GBV starts and ends with us, and we have the power to stop it. The theme for this year’s Tourism Month is ‘Tourism and Peace,’ and we hope to foster peace by addressing GBV,” Nokwequ said.

Nokwequ also highlighted the department’s initiatives to empower young people within the tourism industry. He noted that many of the tour guides at the launch were young participants in a Destea programme designed to train future tour operators and create opportunities within the sector.

Game drive at Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

As part of the province’s tourism revitalisation efforts, Destea will launch the “Tourism Fridays” programme. This initiative will see various tourism establishments across the province visited each Friday, providing opportunities for unemployed individuals and stimulating economic growth.

Makume reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the Free State’s tourism sector as a central component of economic recovery and job creation. He urged both domestic and international tourists to consider the Free State as their destination of choice, a province that not only connects six other provinces but also the Kingdom of Lesotho.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh