Latest news with #MpumalangaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourism
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga's tourism sector gets a digital boost
The minister of tourism, Patricia de Lille, hosted a community engagement session on the first G20 Tourism Priority on Thursday, July 31, at the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Mbombela Campus. This focused on people-centred artificial intelligence and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The event was held in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. According to De Lille, the session aimed to bring stakeholders and academia together to explore how digital transformation and innovation can unlock opportunities for businesses and communities. It was held under the theme 'Empowering travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs through digital transformation'. 'The country will host more than 130 meetings, including 23 ministerial-level meetings across major cities. Over 200 G20-related events are expected, pumping millions into hotels, restaurants and transport services,' said De Lille. She added that tour guides, guest houses, craft markets, and SMMEs will benefit from the international exposure, with many already showcasing Mpumalanga products at Africa's Travel Indaba. ALSO READ: G20 development leaders gather in Kruger for landmark meeting De Lille explained that the G20 Tourism Hackathon is a platform on which students use artificial intelligence and digital innovation to reimagine travel. 'I look forward to seeing young minds create prototypes for innovative visitor systems, accessible booking platforms and cultural storytelling apps. Students from TUT and the University of Mpumalanga are proving that you are not waiting for the future – you are building it,' said De Lille. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga fresh produce market 'a white elephant' – DA spokesperson She also highlighted Mpumalanga's proactive investment in infrastructure through public-private partnerships, which is already yielding results – from upgrading heritage sites to improving road networks and community lodges. 'The department will continue supporting the tourism sector across all provinces through targeted programmes, including the Green Tourism Incentive programme, which empowers businesses to adopt sustainable practices by providing grants of up to R1m,' De Lille said. She noted that 23 approved projects are currently active in Mpumalanga – five have been completed, while the remaining 18 are at various stages of finalising agreements. ALSO READ: Four Mganduzweni primary schools prioritise learners well-being The five completed projects include Tshamani Guest House in Mkhuhlu, Timamoon Lodge in Hazyview, and La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge in Marloth Park. 'Since the 2023/24 financial year, 21 small tourism enterprises from Ehlanzeni have been supported under the Market Access Support Programme to participate in various trade shows. All 21 of these enterprises are black-owned, and 10 are woman-owned,' said De Lille. When Mpumalanga proudly hosts the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in September, over 30 ministers from around the world will come here – not just to discuss policy but to experience the province's landscapes, hospitality and cultural riches.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism plans to create 60 000 jobs
The Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) said the Medium Term Development Plan's job creation target is 60 000 new and sustainable jobs per annum, and a reduced unemployment rate of 25% by 2030. In May, Stats SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2025. The report states that about 43 000 Mpumalanga residents lost their jobs in the first three months of this year. It also shows that the country's total number of unemployed youth (15 to 34 years) increased by 151 000 to 4.8 million, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 153 000 to 5.7 million. As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased from 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Currently, youth unemployment in Mpumalanga is at 46.4%, one of the highest in the country. ALSO READ: 43 000 Mpumalanga residents lose jobs in first quarter of 2025 Silence Mhlaba of the DEDT said it should be noted that Mpumalanga also recorded job losses in both the first and second quarters of 2024, but recovered very well in the last six months of the year with net job gains of more than 62 000. 'It is important to put this in perspective, because the first quarter is normally exposed to several challenges such as seasonal factors and new entrants to the labour market. This is especially people who completed their secondary or tertiary qualifications. This results in some job losses and an increase in the unemployment rate.' He said the provincial government, through DEDT and its entities, will continue with its catalytic economic projects and plans to stimulate the economy and contribute to the much needed jobs. 'All our economic plans should promote inclusive economic growth and job creation, which will have a positive impact on Mpumalanga's the high poverty and inequality rates.' ALSO READ: Nzimande calls for investment in research and development during G20 meeting in Mbombela Mhlaba said addressing the high youth unemployment remains a top priority of government and business. 'We will continue to assist our young people to have the right qualifications and skills, in line with the province's economic needs.' He said almost 28% of the employed in Mpumalanga are people in the informal economy. Mhlaba said the DEDT has developed a provincial informal sector policy and is busy finalising it for implementation. 'Job creation is a co-responsibility between the public and private sectors. Infrastructure investment, for example, is crucial to stimulate the economy and create jobs on a large scale,' Mhlaba said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
