Maidens at the Reed Dance. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi Independent Newspapers
A WORLD-CLASS Reed Dance documentary to celebrate its 40th anniversary will be captured and produced next year. This was announced by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi.
He said the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority was working on this documentary. Zondi said a crew would spend three days capturing footage.
On September 14, tourists could enjoy the iconic annual Reed Dance at the eNyokeni royal residence, which would mark its 40th anniversary, Zondi said.
He said preparations were under way to celebrate Tourism Month, which will focus on the province’s rich cultural heritage and tourism legacy in northern KZN.
Zondi said the celebrations would take place on September 12 at the uMgungundlovu Multimedia Centre in Ulundi, which boasts four centuries of Zulu history and was named the royal capital of King Dingane.
“The Tourism Month celebrations will start in Zululand, the home of the Zulu kingdom heritage, where tourism numbers have increased from 305 018 in 2022 to 364 160 in 2023.
“Just as the tourism numbers show a steady incline in KwaZulu-Natal, statistics reveal that the number of domestic tourists to Zululand increased from 969 765 in the first quarter of 2023 to 1 181 173 in the same quarter this year,’’ Zondi said.
He said this was a time to remind each other that KZN was a destination like no other.
“It has rich cultural traditions, history and heritage, and this is what draws thousands of visitors to the province every year. And as Tourism KZN Film Authority enters a new era – following the merger of Tourism KZN and the Film Commission – the entity is looking forward to igniting that unique Zulu kingdom brand,” he added.
The various activities will culminate in World Tourism Day on September 27, which will mark South Africa’s theme for Tourism Month: “Tourism and Peace: 30 Years of Connecting People, Places, and Culture."
Zondi said it was important to point out that KZN continued to make history, having recently been awarded two new World Heritage Sites, the Sibhudu Caves and Ohlange in Inanda.
Furthermore, the MEC said there was a wave of tourism activities in KZN this month. This weekend, almost 300 travellers from Soweto will make their way to Durban for their well-planned holiday curated by Chris Phiri from Claremont Tourism.
Phiri provides tour packages for visitors who live in land-locked parts of the country and who save as part of a stokvel to travel, wanting to explore the various heritage routes around the province.
He said the Film Authority would also target schools in the Zululand, Amajuba, and Ugu areas where 30 top tourism students will get the chance to experience tourism products in their districts.