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The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, with apocalyptic job losses as a result of the prolonged and harsh blockade and closure of South Africa’s borders.
Limpopo Tourism MEC Thabo Mokone calls it the “Garden of Eden” and wants to share its beauty and charms with more locals. Photo: Abigail Javier
JOHANNESBURG – A month has passed since South Africa moved to level one lockdown and the battered economy is still doing everything it can to recover, especially through local tourism.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has been visiting various holiday destinations in the country and in the past week, taking a five-hour trip to Limpopo over the weekend.
It’s Wednesday morning when we hit the road, beginning the long journey from Johannesburg to Limpopo, with farmland stretching as far as the eye can see.
Then the fertile green area gives way to barren red land: baobab trees and blazing sun.
With every kilometer that passes, the rat race at home fades a bit more.
His mind wanders happily until he receives a random message when his cell phone signal returns for a brief moment.
After a five-hour drive, Eyewitness News arrives at the Palala Boutique Game Lodge and Spa – it feels like walking through the gates of heaven.
From a bush breakfast under the trees, to a park safari, to fishing as the sun sets, setting the African sky ablaze.
What really drives the “concrete jungle” people to Limpopo are the executive spa sessions: bathing in red wine, drinking champagne; and enjoy the scenic views and regular wildlife sightings.
It is easy to forget, in these moments of tranquility, that COVID-19 has turned the country and the world upside down.
“Should we keep wearing our masks?”
The game host responds, “Yes, Mom, we still have the pandemic.”
Owner Maria du Plessis says tourism is on the rise in this part of the province – most people visit with their families and have managed to continue working remotely from this location.
“We have not fired anyone, we managed to survive and we hope that he recovers,” he says.
The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, with apocalyptic job losses as a result of the prolonged and harsh blockade and closure of South Africa’s borders.
But Limpopo expects green shoots: his MEC of tourism, Thabo Mokone, calls it the “Garden of Eden” and wants to share its beauty and charms with more locals.
“We are going up again, going up we are blooming like flowers in summer … we want to encourage people to start walking again.”
Limpopo definitely has beauty going for it, but it also has geography.
It is the only province that borders three neighboring countries: Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is also connected to three provinces: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and North West, making it ideal for the local traveler to explore South Africa.
Kubayi-Ngubane has been crossing the country and Limpopo is his fifth provincial visit.
Her sector has been hit by COVID19 and it has taken its toll on her personally.
“I’m still studying … I’m exhausted … but I can’t rest now … I need to save this sector and I need it to work.”
But for some, the domino effect of COVID-19 has been inevitable.
Malesela Rammutla is the Deputy General Manager of Warm Bath Forever Resorts.
They had nearly 200 employees before closing, but the business took a major financial hit, resulting in pay cuts and layoffs.
“We are sure of how the regulations are now, we believe that they will be resumed now. We are still struggling during the week, but things are looking up during the weekends. “
According to COVID-19 regulations, the number of people allowed inside the pools has been severely affected, but management hopes that there will not be a second wave as seen in other European countries.
Seipelo Masemola, owner of Lerato’s Grill House, has survived thanks to the lifeline provided by the FIU’s tourist aid fund, which paid R50,000.
The shisa nyama place had to reinvent itself just to survive the COVID-19 storm.
“I ran my store like a liquor store. It has been badly affected, we will not survive a second wave.”
As the sun sets below the horizon of the dry skies of Limpopo, one of the poorest provinces in the country, with a population of more than five million people who call this place home, residents hope to fully recover from the COVID-19, with thousands of people. of families that count on them to survive.
GALLERY: The Beauty of Limpopo
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