Patricia De Lille, the new Minister of Tourism!
The 6th of March 2023 saw Patricia de Lille leave her post as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to become South Africa’s new Minister of Tourism. The tourism industry broadly praised the appointment of De Lille to replace departing minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
De Lille was born in 1951 in Beaufort West, in the Western Cape. She joined the South African Chemical Workers Union while working as a lab technician, and through time she advanced to the point where she was elected to the national executive in 1983.
She was elected National Vice-President of the National Council of Trade Unions in 1988, the highest position for a woman in the trade union movement at the time.
Additionally, she was chosen to serve on the Pan Africanist Movement’s NEC. She served as the head of the delegation during the constitutional negotiations that preceded South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, and from the time she was elected as a member of parliament for the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), she presided over the Parliamentary Committee on Transport.
She was ranked number 22 among the Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004. She received recognition for spearheading the demand for a probe into allegations of wrongdoing in the so-called “Arms Deal,” in which South Africa bought weaponry from the UK and other European nations.
In 2003, De Lille created and became the leader of the Independent Democrats (ID). The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s recognized opposition party, and the ID united in August 2010.
Prior to being chosen as Cape Town’s mayor in 2012, she served as the Western Cape Province’s Minister of Social Development from 2010 to 2011. In the 2016 local government elections, she was re-elected for a second term, which she would hold until 2018. She also held the position of DA provincial leader at this time.
De Lille managed numerous significant tourism-related projects while serving as mayor, including the 2016 inauguration of the wildly successful Cape Town Air Access project and the massive reconstruction of the Cape Town Cruise Terminal between 2014 and 2018.
In December of that year, she founded a new political party called GOOD after leaving her position as mayor in October 2018. She was later named the country’s Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works.
She has also held positions on a number of parliamentary portfolio committees, including those for trade and industry, communications, health, minerals and energy, and rules and ethics.
Tshwaing Meteorite Centre, Tshwne’s hidden gem!
A burning stony meteorite the size of half a football field blasted into the earth’s crust 220 000 years ago. The impact created a massive crater 1.4 km in diameter and 200 m in depth. This crater is one of the world’s best-preserved meteorite impacts crater.
The word “Tswaing” means “salt place” in Setswana and alludes to a saline lake that covers the crater bottom. From 1912 to 1950, the crater was home to a soda ash and salt factory. Aside from the crater, major attractions include a huge wetland system, a large diversity of plant species from the Sourish-Mixed Bushveld, and 240 bird species.
The Tswaing project has always encouraged community involvement in its planning and development. The Museum initiative has already helped local people through job development, skill training, environmental education, income-generating projects, and tourism.
for more information visit www.ditsong.org.za
Calling all couples, friends, and foodie fanatics! | Capital Hotel School
Use your turbo-charged cooking buddy, the AIRFRYER and tantalise the tastebuds of your family and friends.
Join Capital Hotel School for a fun-filled Masterclass where you will learn the technique of using your Airfryer to prepare and create a variety of tasty snacks and delicious quick bites for all to indulge!
Let them help you revolutionise the way you cook.
For more information contact Michelle Cloete today at sales@capitalhotelschool.co.za
DIRK MEERKOTTER 1922–2017 RETROSPECTIVE | 12 March until 21 May 2023 | North Gallery
The Dirk Meerkotter Retrospective exhibition will be hosted from 12 March to 21 May 2023. The exhibition, curated by Gordon Froud, attempts to capture the seven decades that Meerkotter was active. We will continue with the theme of the exhibition held in 2022 that celebrated Meerkotter’s 100th birthday.
In addition to showing the works owned by the Meerkotter Family Trust and the Pretoria Art Museum, the trust has managed to obtain works from SANOFI, Absa, First Rand, SABC and other institutions. Many of the works belonging to the trust will be on sale to support the long-term goals of the trust read more…
Family Adventures at Acrobranch
Unleash your inner Tarzan and Jane on our impressive 2-hour tree-top courses. Designed for kids from 3 yrs. up to adults; there are 4 main courses to choose from with different obstacles to test your agility & skill.
Family Package Special on offer @R 800
-Includes courses for 4 participants (Min. 1 Adult & 1 Child under 18 years)
-Any course selection/s
-Valid until 31 Dec 2023
-Price includes up to 4 pairs of climbing gloves
-Promo code: AcroFamPass
***Additional participants can be added at our normal p/p rates
Perfect Venue for Birthday Parties, Team buildings, School Excursions & Bachelor/ettes too!
Book at any 1 of our 10 locations nationwide:
GAUTENG: Melrose, Germiston, Muldersdrift, Centurion, Garsfontein & Pta North
WESTERN CAPE: Stellenbosch, Constantia & Garden Route, and
KZN: Pietermaritzburg
For more information visit www.acrobranch.co.za, call 086 999 0369 or email bookings@acrobranch.co.za
Happy Holidays from Mangwa Valley Lodge to all their Friends, Family, and Guests!
Visit Mangwa Valley Lodge and spend quality time with your family, friends, and loved ones.
Oh yes, just a reminder:
- 27 April Freedom Day
- 01 May Workers Day
- 14 May Mother’s Day
Book now and receive a 15% discount on all accommodation types; there is plenty to do:
- Sunrise and Sunset Guided Game Drives
- Guided Game Walk
- Safari Quad Rides
- Spa Treatments
- Boma Braai (Themed Dinners)
- Jumping Castle (Easter Holiday)
- Easter Egg Hunt (Easter Holiday)
- Easter Family Sunday Lunch Buffet style
- Kids Jungle gym plus Kids room with Netflix and Showmax
- Kids Table Games
- Swimming Pools
For reservations please contact 012 711 4348/9 / 072 843 9558, email Info@mangwavalley.co.za
For social media platforms, click on the links below.
Redefining the Art of Indulgence
This highly acclaimed property is the only 3 Star Hotel in Pretoria with a Spa. The Manhattan Hotel Spa offers an array of treatments such as Massages, Manicures, Pedicures and Facials.
For more information click HERE or call 012 392 0000.
Albacoxe Productions – Insta360 Affiliate
Want to showcase your business or venue in 360°/VR?
360 content is a proven way to strengthen your business web presence and engage viewers longer. Our 360 tours are sharable via social media including Facebook, Twitter and business review sites like Yelp.
Virtually Integrated Photography is a VPiX-certified service provider, therefore we are trained from VPiX in Colorado USA on how to capture and produce jaw-dropping 360 content for businesses in the South Africa.
Click HERE for more information.
Mangwanani River Valley Spa specials
Mangwanani River Valley is located at the Royal Elephant Hotel and provides a variety of programs where relaxation and rejuvenation meet Africa’s rich and colorful traditions. Mangwanani Spa is a one-of-a-kind experience that embraces African healing and wellness methods, providing a calm respite from the demands of modern life.
For more specials visit www.mangwanani.co.za,
or call 067 412 9635 / 010 822 8539
Recommended reading
Ministers pledge support for aviation growth
Tourism Update, 14 March 2023
Tell us more about your safari offering
Tourism Update, 10 March 2023
Hotel major posts strong growth
Tourism Update, 14 March 2023
High investment interest in SA tourism offering
Tourism Update, 13 March 2023
Visa system reform – ‘timing is everything’
Tourism Update, 14 April 2023
ChatGPT can create tourism jobs, not eliminate them
Tourism Update, 23 March 2023
Giving SMMEs access to market through digital technology
Tourism Update, 06 January 2023
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