Golf's role in driving sports tourism and economy in South Africa
The tourism and hospitality sector have praised the sport of golf in boosting the economy and bringing international tourists to KZN and South Africa.
This comes after golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were invited as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's delegation to meet US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington on Wednesday.
Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), said on Friday that golf was a powerful driver of tourism and hospitality, especially in South Africa where we boast some of the world's most scenic and high-quality golf courses.
'From the Garden Route to the highveld, South Africa offers championship-standard courses at a fraction of the cost compared to those in Europe, North America or China,' Anderson said.
'This combination of affordability and excellence is an untapped opportunity in the international market, which could be better leveraged to grow inbound tourism. SA Tourism should be targeting this untapped market with vigour.'
Anderson added that sport tourism was a significant economic booster.
'It supports not only the direct sports venues but also stimulates broader travel spend - accommodation, dining, transport, and experiences. Golf, with its global appeal and affluent following, can contribute meaningfully to local economies, particularly in off-peak travel seasons, due to our wonderful weather in our country – golf is a year-round sport,' she said.
Anderson said it was frustrating that South Africa has not aggressively gone after the golf market to attract more tourists to the country.
'Golf is more than just a sport; it's a global network that opens doors on many levels, including diplomacy. It was telling that during a recent diplomatic engagement at the White House, President Ramaphosa included South African golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in his delegation - an astute move, as former President Trump is famously passionate about golf and its champions,' she said.
'This illustrates the soft power and universal appeal of golf. Promoting South Africa as a top-tier, yet affordable, golfing destination can position the country as a premier choice for leisure and business tourism alike.'
Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Jeannie Sarno said that sport tourism should always be a section in tourism to be calculated and considered.
'Especially golf. Durban has the perfect weather all year round, and it would be silly for us in tourism not to take full advantage of this and amongst other sports that could be looked into for future events,' Sarno said.
Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), said that the KZN South Coast, which is known colloquially as 'The Golf Coast', was fortunate to have 11 quality golf courses, many of which offer a backdrop of the Indian Ocean set among stunning coastal forests.
'These are a major tourism attraction for visitors looking for a golf weekend getaway, or for those simply looking for a fun recreational activity while visiting this beautiful region,' he said.
Sibiya added that golf remained one of the world's most popular sports and was a key strategy for business networking and engagement.
'The KZN South Coast is a top MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination, with our golf courses providing the perfect setting to host corporate days, fundraising events, and professional golf competitions such as The Wild Coast Classic, the Thursday Ladies Challenge Golf, and the South African Women's Masters.'
Visit: www.businessreport.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
‘Women should not only be present in science – they must shape its direction'
This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global agenda for advancing women's rights which includes their access to education, technology and leadership. Image: Supplied More than 30 years ago, South Africa took its bold first steps into democracy. It was a moment of unprecedented hope, not just for political freedom, but for the transformation of society in all its dimensions. As the country reflects on passing its three-decade milestone, it's an opportune time to assess the progress made by women in science, technology and innovation (STI). While the road has been uneven, the strides that have been made are undeniable. This year marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global agenda for advancing women's rights which includes their access to education, technology and leadership. As we mark just over 30 years of freedom and reflect on 30 years of global gender advocacy since the Beijing resolution, we must shift our efforts from a focus on participation to a demand for leadership. Women should not only be present in science – they must shape its direction. That means ensuring that women lead laboratories, policy development, global scientific collaborations, and research and training institutions. It also means rethinking how we define innovation – more value needs to be placed on community-based knowledge, indigenous science and interdisciplinary approaches that centre on people, not just products. To understand how far we've come, we must begin with a pivotal moment in our country's history: the Women's March to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. On that day, more than 20 000 women of all races and backgrounds marched peacefully against apartheid's pass laws. They stood united in defiance of an oppressive system, carrying petitions and chanting, 'Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo!' ('You strike a woman, you strike a rock'). That historic act of resistance was not just about civil liberties – it was a declaration of women's power to shape South Africa's future. Fast-forward to today, and that same spirit continues to drive South African women, not just in politics or activism, but in laboratories, tech hubs, industry and innovation spaces. In many ways, the progress of women in STI is one of the quiet revolutions of our democratic era, largely influenced by our policy frameworks that support women in this sector. The National Development Plan 2030, the Department of Science and Innovation's White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, and the more recent Decadal Plan all advocate for gender transformation and gender-responsive planning as national priorities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, Head of Research Capacity Development at the University of Pretoria Image: Supplied Yet structural inequalities persist. Women – especially women of colour – remain under-represented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) leadership roles, with a national representation of a mere 30% of the workforce. Barriers such as unequal access to quality education, limited mentorship opportunities, and gender bias in academia and industry continue to constrain progress. So, how can these systemic challenges be tackled? One of the most effective ways to empower women in STI is through mentorship. Access to mentors helps young women navigate the complex terrain of academia, research and industry, especially in male-dominated environments, such as mining- and engineering-related fields. It builds confidence, opens doors and fosters a sense of belonging. Science outreach efforts in rural and township schools, particularly those that bring in female scientists from similar backgrounds as role models, can have a transformative impact. When girls see someone who looks like them succeeding in science, it fundamentally shifts what they believe is possible. Embedding targeted programmes that focus on raising awareness of women's and girls' rights into school or university curricula can help address some of the societal ills that disproportionately affect girls and women. These include cyberbullying (especially on social media platforms), gender-based violence, exploitative relationships (such as those that involve 'sugar daddies'), and reproductive health and teenage pregnancies, among others. This calls for politicians, governments, higher education leaders, schools and communities to work together to co-create and co-develop inclusive innovation strategies for accelerated change. As we commemorate almost 70 years since the 1956 Women's March, we must remember and honour this defining act of resistance and unity. The women who marched to the Union Buildings were not just resisting oppression; they were demanding a future in which their daughters and granddaughters could be free to learn, lead and innovate. That dream is still being realised, in university labs, coding bootcamps, data science hubs and tech start-ups. But our work is far from done. We must shift from symbolic inclusion to structural transformation: more women in leadership, more equitable funding, more inclusive curricula and sustained support from childhood through to the career stage. The rocks that built this nation must now become the architects of its innovative future. Let us honour their legacy not just with words, but with policies, platforms and partnerships that ensure every girl, from the village to varsity, can rise, lead and transform the world. Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, Head of Research Capacity Development at the University of Pretoria
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
30% Tariffs from the US government, 0% Leadership from the GNU government
Trade tensions between SA and the US, and represents a direct threat to thousands of South African jobs in key export sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. Image: Armand Hough /Independent Newspapers Build One South Africa (BOSA) expresses deep concern over the imposition of 30% tariffs on most South African imports to the United States, which will come into effect after a seven-day window. This marks a serious escalation in trade tensions between SA and the US, and represents a direct threat to thousands of South African jobs in key export sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. The outcome is not solely the result of an increasingly protectionist White House. It is a self-inflicted wound caused by years of incoherent and ideologically driven foreign policy from the South African government. What should have been a moment for skilled diplomacy and strategic engagement has instead become a textbook case in diplomatic failure. Key opportunities to repair and restore trust with US lawmakers and officials were squandered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Even under the more diplomatic Biden administration, South Africa failed to rebuild trust. We did not use the opportunity to engage, negotiate, or reassure. And now, under a more transactional Trump presidency, patience has run out. What is clear is that South Africa urgently needs a foreign policy rooted in clear principles and strategic interests instead of nostalgia and ideology. Our diplomacy must be led by the state, above party politics, and laser-focused on three core objectives: expanding trade and economic growth, defending human rights, and advancing democracy on the continent and beyond. The current bipolar approach, with mixed signals from different actors, is unsustainable and deeply damaging. BOSA calls for five urgent steps to arrest this crisis and rebuild South Africa's credibility in Washington: Reassert official diplomatic leadership and prevent political freelancing that undermines national trade priorities. South Africa must speak with one credible, united voice. Engage directly with the US Congress, where AGOA's future will ultimately be decided. The case must be made for the mutual benefits of continued trade cooperation and use the over 500,000 US jobs linked to trade with South Africa as leverage. Present a credible trade and investment plan that highlights the potential of key export sectors and aligns with US strategic interests, especially in green energy and technology. Commission an urgent economic risk assessment to quantify the impact of these tariffs on jobs and industries, and guide responsive, sector-specific relief measures. Appoint a qualified ambassador to Washington who understands the intersection of economics and diplomacy and can lead the high-level engagements needed to restore trust and rebuild lost ground. South Africa cannot afford more indecision, ideological posturing, or diplomatic negligence. Our future economic growth depends on pragmatic, clear-headed leadership in foreign policy that puts South African jobs front and centre. Roger Solomons - BOSA Spokesperson
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Gayton's son reveals why he'll never take dad's surname
Gayton McKenzie's son, Calvin Le John – the new owner of Siwelele FC, previously SuperSport United – reveals he has no intention of taking his dad's surname. The firstborn of the Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture spoke to Robert Marawa in his first interview as a soccer boss. Speaking on 947, Calvin Le John was questioned on his decision not to take his father's surname. The Siwelele boss revealed that his mother chose to give him her maiden name in her bid to disassociate with Gayton McKenzie, who at the time had been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at Grootvlie prison for armed robbery. He said, 'She didnt want her child to grow up with the surname of a prisoner. I never changed it. Growing up, I actually felt blessed that I had my mother's surname because I did not want to be directly under my father's shadow. Calvin – the firstborn of the Minister of Sport, Art and Culture – continued: 'I don't live by the title of the son of Gayton McKenzie. I always try to keep under the radar, I just wanted my peace.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phezu Kwabo (@phezukwabo_) In the interview, Calvin Le John praised his dad Gayton McKenzie for being a role model for many South Africans, despite his criminal past. He said, 'My father is my teacher, my mentor. I love him, respect him, and admire him. He taught me everything I know. 'His story is a lesson for every person in South Africa. 'He's one of those people who show you that you can come from nothing and make it to where he is Since Calvin Le John acquired Siwelele FC, many South Africans have accused Gayton McKenzie of having a hand in the closed business deal. Others claim he would use his position as Minister of Sport to further the club's interests. Responding to the rumours, Gayton said in a Facebook Live: 'People act like we took money from under our mattress and we just went to go buy a club. 'He bought it, I'm not part of the company….There's no consortium, he owns 100% of the company alone'. Gayton added, 'I'm very proud of him. He doesn't want to trade on McKenzie's name; that shows you he is different.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
