The splendour of the Northern Cape was showcased when the provincial Department of Tourism concluded its Tourism Month celebrations in collaboration with the Kimberley Diamond Cup Skateboarding Championships in Kimberley on Saturday.
THE SPLENDOUR of the Northern Cape was showcased when the provincial Department of Tourism concluded its Tourism Month celebrations in collaboration with the Kimberley Diamond Cup Skateboarding Championships in Kimberley on Saturday.
The department treated skaters from across the country to various tourist attraction sites in the Province. They visited the Ditshoswane Arts Centre in Warrenton, the Magersfontein Museum, the Kimberley Diamond Brewing Company in Ritchie and Mattanu Private Game Reserve.
The aim of the tours was to celebrate Tourism Month and to also showcase the sites in the Province.
The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Desery Fienies, said the collaboration of Tourism Month and the skateboarding championships was an excellent way of not only ensuring that there are visitors to the Province, but also a great means of growing the economy of the Province.
“This year, World Tourism Day is being celebrated under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism – Opportunities Awaits’. This theme is fitting, as the world over the tourism sector is being re-imagined following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism Month is in line with the Northern Cape’s vision to ignite inclusive economic growth, create sustainable jobs and drive transformation, which are all critical for the recovery of the tourism sector. This is part of the National Development Plan, which recognises tourism as one of the main drivers of the economy,” said Fienies.
“This weekend, as a Province, we conclude World Tourism Month with a celebration incorporating the provincial skateboarding championships mega event. These events help to position the Northern Cape as a competitive leisure and sports events destination and create temporary jobs to the locals and to the accommodation establishments while the provincial tourism sector is slowly recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Fienies added that the event also showcased the Province as a premier destination for adventure sport.
“We have skateboarders from across the country and even some international skateboarders who have competed in these championships. The skate park has been recognised as one of the best parks and that is an honour for the Province. As a Province, we want to develop skateboarding in each of our districts. We have seen the impact sport has on the development of our youth and we need to invest and promote various sporting activities. As a department, we still believe in the motto that ‘a child in sport, is a child out of court’.”
Fienies urged residents to visit the various tourist sites in the Province.
“We as residents of this Province tend to want to go visit destinations in other provinces or countries. We overlook the many treasures we have in your own province. The Northern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservations has announced its provincial Nature Reserves Open Week, which runs from September 30 until October 10, 2022. During this time, residents will have an opportunity to gain daily free access to local reserves such as Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Goegap Nature Reserve, Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve and Rolfontein Nature Reserve.
“We continuously develop and implement our marketing campaigns under the umbrella campaign of ‘Discover Your Neighbourhood, Experience Your Province’ to encourage day trips, weekend trips and short trips to our provincial visitors. These campaigns are executed across various marketing platforms highlighting the diverse “value for money” tourism experiences in our rural and township communities, as well as the many small ‘dorpies’ within the Northern Cape.”
Kimberley’s rising skateboarding star, Boipelo Awuah, again dominated the championships and skated away as the winner in the women’s section.
Awuah, who said she was excited about winning her section, pointed out that the promotion of skateboarding in the Province has had a great impact on her sporting career.
“I am very happy about winning. I will save the prize money. I have been saving all the prize money I won in past competitions as well. Skateboarding in the Province has really grown in popularity and this skate park has made many youngsters realise that this is more than just an ‘extra-mural’ activity. We are now competing and tested against skaters from across the world. This skate park has made it possible for many upcoming skaters to improve their skills and talents,” said Awuah.
