The Free State Department of Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) issued a statement on Friday promoting the province as a “go to, not go through” jurisdiction.
This followed the horrifying racist event at the Masselspoort resort and conference center, in which young black lads were assaulted, suffocated, and thrown around by old white males.
“Following a two-year Covid-19 pandemic that crippled many businesses, particularly the tourism sector, the racial attack against two black teens by white men at Masselspoort resort is viewed as a threat to the revival of the tourism sector in the province, and in the country in general,” the statement read.
“This tragedy has significantly harmed the initiatives aimed at establishing the Free State Tourism sector at the centre of economic restoration and development.
“The MEC for DESTEA, Mr Makalo Mohale, together with his management team and the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA), clearly demonstrated that the department values its diverse stakeholders and acted with integrity to ensure that tourists are treated equally around Free State Tourism establishments.”
MEC Mohale believes in the principle enshrined in the Freedom Charter that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it,” and urges tourism product owners to go beyond their mission of providing quality services to the people, noting that the Charter’s ethos and vision informed nation-building policies.
He also stated that the department will continue to be committed to creating a sense of belonging among tourists, indicating that beginning next year, the department will launch an electronic/digital suggestions box led by the customer care unit via the departmental website: www.destea.gov.za – called Tips for Tourism Free State, where stakeholders can raise concerns, grievances, and suggestions with the department.
Following the racially motivated incident, Mohale sent a strong message, stating that racists have no place in the province.
“I have mentioned it before and will always hammer on it, that the Free State does not have a home for racists, if there are people going to follow the same offence, [they] are advised not to do it in this province. Tourism is a key economic pillar, with many households relying on it for a living. As a result, we will never allow racial activities to slow down such an important sector,” added Mohale.
The MEC finished by encouraging diverse tourism attraction facilities to continue motivating travelers and adventurers to visit the province, and he noted that such initiatives will allow tourism product owners from across the province to display their products and services.
The three suspects in the horrible Masselspoort incident appeared in court on Wednesday and Thursday, with two of them released on a warning and the third on R20 000 bond.
The three accused are scheduled to appear in court again on January 25, 2023.
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