Sidlangaloludzala - Swazi cultural encounter near Kruger

Swazi culture is one of the few African cultures that is both accessible to outsiders and also maintains a vibrant traditional strain that is contemporary and authentic. On my latest trip to the Lowveld I was privileged to see a performance by a fairly new performance group offering founded in part by one of the members of the famous Matsamo Cultural Group, which has toured Europe and South America on numerous occasions. Song, dance and storytelling in a contemporary village with deep traditional roots by a truly talented cast that could easily take the stage in any performance hall around the world and seem set to give the troubled Matsamo group a run for their money.

The new performing arts group is formally called Sidlangaloludzala, which means “turning our way of life back” or, more loosely, “restoring tradition.” The tongue-twisting name (for non-seSwati speakers) is being shortened to “Sidla”, and when you hear about them in the future, that’s probably how they’ll be known.

But don’t wait for someone else to tell you about them. They’re ten minutes from the Jeppe’s Reef border crossing into Swaziland on the South African side, in a village called Driekoppies (“Three Hills”). This is about an hour from the Kruger Park’s Malelane Gate, and makes a wonderful enhancement of the Kruger experience. And at only R150 per person (as of June 2008), 2 persons minimum, it’s a bargain of note.

This is not only authentic Swazi culture, but the real deal when it comes to community-based tourism and responsible tourism more generally. Community conceived, founded, owned, operated and managed. (Don't confuse this with the Matsamo group or the Matsamo Cultural Village, which is a defunct and derelict compound...a sad white elephant of government intentions that took neither the community's needs nor market's demands.)

For now, you’ll need to book ahead at least 24 hours, but a regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon performance is in the works. To book, contact the Lowveld tourism bureau at liaison@lowveldtourism.com

Sidlangaloludzala - Swazi cultural encounter near Kruger

Community tourism development (Part III)

Just a quick few updates on the community tourism development project at Roodebergskloof in Namaqualand that I posted on in March 2007 and again in July '07:

• A website has been launched for the hiking trail, which is at www.roodebergskloof.co.za this means you can book in at the camp, get your permits, and bag the highest peak in Namaqualand.
  
• The business plan for the development work has finally been approved in May, which means that funding may be released soon(ish) by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to get beyond paper planning and actually hire some people and buy some material and build a thing or two to make a difference in the lives of the people of Garies.

It is astonishing to me that a government programme (Expanded Public Works Programme or EPWP) awarded the business plan development work in 2005, received the business plan in November 2005, and then took two and a half years to approve a final plan so that something practical could happen. In the interim, there has been hectic turnover at DEAT so that they have no institutional memory, no sense of ownership, and little commitment to the communities their projects affect. No wonder so many local communities are disillusioned both with government and with tourism as an economic lifeline - "the new gold" as people in South Africa are so fond of saying.

As disgusting as it may be, there is hope that the work on the farm will start to benefit the community in coming months. Let's hope that all this persistence and patience pays off in the end.

For those thinking of the upcoming flower season (now just a few months away), the floral display is set to be another good one. Last year's rains were enough to promise a great bulb display at a minimum. If you didn't go last year or the year before - some of the best in living memory - then by all means go now!

More updates as they're available.

Community tourism development (Part III)

South African scoops international Ecotourism award

South African Gerard Buttner was honoured this year with the 8th annual Colibri Ecotourism Award from Planeta, for his extensive community-based work in Yucatan and Oaxaca, Mexico. The Colibri is given annually to coincide with World Environment Day (which is 5 June 2008, for those who don't already have this on their calendars...)

Initially trained as a tour guide in Cape Town, Gerard went on to do a range of work in between his extensive global travels, drawing on his skills as a geographer and cartographer. He has been doing community development and ecotourism guide training work in Mexico for the past 5 years, and the testimonials that accompanied his award are all you need to see to understand the difference he's made and continues to make.

It's wonderful to see the effect (South) Africans are having on responsible travel around the world. Gerard seems to be cut from the same cloth as Dave at Bulungula - eager to get stuck in and make a difference where it matters, and to stick with it for the long run, which is what communities need if they're going to realise the benefits of tourism.

For those of you unable to travel to Mexico to hang out with Gerard, you can frequently find him posting to the Forums on Planeta.com, so it won't be to hard to pick his brain virtually, although he probably won't enjoy the virtual beer you buy him in return as much as the real cerveza were you to be in a cantina in Oaxaca...

Congratulations to Gerard!

See photos of Gerard's work on Flickr.

South African scoops international Ecotourism award