MEC for Finance in Gauteng Lebogang Maile, who sheds light on the province’s tourism industry’s trouble. Photo by Gallo Images
IS Gauteng losing its “dearly” loved spark?
From crime and safety concerns, to persistent drillings from illegal miners, poor water quality, litter that has painted the streets with filth, and dilapidated buildings, these are some of the reasons that many may hesitate to spend money on this province.
As September ushers in Tourism Month, Gauteng, once celebrated as one of Mzansi’s most economically vibrant provinces, is grappling with a troubling decline in its tourism sector. This is according to Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, who has shed light on the various factors contributing to the province’s struggle to attract visitors.
Among those he revealed were the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high levels of crime.
Impact of Covid-19 and economic decline
According to Maile, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on Gauteng’s tourism industry, leading to the closure of top momentous buildings.
“In Gauteng, we saw the closure of iconic sites such as the SAB World of Beer Museum in Newtown, which is now a funeral parlour. The Sterkfontein Caves have still not opened, and other important tourism offerings were greatly affected,” he said.
The MEC said this has led to a big drop in tourism spending, such as overnight stays in Gauteng dropping by nearly 46%, and holiday spending dropping by more than 59%.
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Crime has Gauteng on its knees
Where crime’s concerned, Maile said Gauteng continues to battle with perceptions and realities of an unsafe destination.
He said this was evident in the recently released crime statistics, which indicate that while there has been an overall decrease in cases of serious crime, Gauteng had the highest number of reported cases.
According to the crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday, 30 August, Gauteng recorded 6 012 cases of trio crime, including robbery in residential areas, robbery outside of residential areas, and carjacking. This makes it rank number one as the most significant contributor to trio crime nationally, with 39,5%.
The province also recorded 11 089 cases of assault, 341 cases of sexual assault, and 1 921 cases of rape. Although the province has seen a decrease in murder cases, sitting at a ratio of 8,3, a decline from 9,1, Gauteng still contributes the most murders nationally, with a percentage of 22,3%.
Solutions on the table
Maile, who noted these numbers, said while such news doesn’t reflect well for the tourism industry, the Gauteng government’s not sitting idle.
“Our approach to safety and security looks after residents and visitors alike,” he said.
As such, Maile welcomed the appointment and deployment of 100 tourism safety monitors this month by the National Department of Tourism.
He said supporting these monitors will be 400 tourism ambassadors from the City of Joburg and overall crime prevention capacity in the form of the crime prevention wardens, the Gauteng traffic police, various Metro police departments, and the specialised units of the South African Police Services.
Zandile Khumalo
www.snl24.com
