Gillian Saunders🇿🇦

Tourism & Hospitality Adviser. Previously Special Adviser to Min. Hanekom. Prior Grant Thornton Head of Advisory in SA. SA 1st but born a Yorkshire lass - Leeds

[SurenNaidoo @SurenNaidoo]

The #Durban #Beachfront is being fixed and is delivering for Southern Sun again, according to @SouthernSunGrp CEO.

#MoneywebNews - By @SurenNaidoo https://t.co/orpwxfTQQy via @Moneyweb

[Times LIVE @TimesLIVE]

In 2010, many of us thought we were preparing to host a tournament. In truth, we were preparing to encounter ourselves, writes Mathebula. https://t.co/zS6Or2cGbw

[FIFA World Cup Stats @alimo_philip]

🇳🇴 Nobody does team photos like NORWAY. Period.

1️⃣ Viking warriors “setting sail” for the FIFA World Cup 2026— this is cinema ⚔️
2️⃣ Cleanest, most aesthetic squad photo in the current kit. Just pure vibes 😍
3️⃣ Every player in the shirt of the club where their journey started… man, the feels 🥹

❤️ This is what football is all about !

[Daily Maverick @dailymaverick]

South Africa cannot afford to lock 165,000 graduates out of the economy https://t.co/fKwN23im9G

[Ministère de la Sécurité - Togo @MSPC_TOGO]

LE TOGO SUPPRIME LE VISA POUR TOUS LES AFRICAINS !

Le Togo franchit une étape historique dans le renforcement de l’intégration africaine. Désormais, tous les ressortissants des États africains détenteurs d’un passeport national valide peuvent entrer sur le territoire togolais sans visa, pour un séjour allant jusqu’à 30 jours.

À travers cette réforme majeure, le Président du Conseil réaffirme sa volonté de faire du Togo un espace d’ouverture, de mobilité, d’opportunités et de coopération au cœur du continent africain.

Les voyageurs doivent toutefois effectuer leur déclaration de voyage sur la plateforme officielle https://t.co/CsFa9PI7k2 au moins 24 heures avant leur arrivée afin d’obtenir leur bordereau de voyage.
Le Togo confirme ainsi son leadership en matière d’intégration régionale et de rapprochement des peuples africains.

#Togo
#Afrique
#integration
#Libre
#panafricanism
#voyage
#cooperation

[TBCSA @TBCZA]

Tourism safety and destination readiness remain important priorities in supporting visitor confidence and long-term tourism growth.

This week during Africa’s Travel Indaba, tourism and government stakeholders came together in Durban for the launch of the eThekwini Coastal Tourism Policing initiative, supported through the TOMSA Collaborative Fund.

The initiative included the handover of patrol vehicles, quad bikes, trailers and uniforms aimed at strengthening visible policing and rapid response capabilities along Durban’s beachfront and tourism hotspots.

As one of South Africa’s major tourism hubs, Durban continues to play an important role across leisure travel, business events and coastal tourism experiences. Continued collaboration between municipalities, tourism stakeholders and industry partners remains important in supporting safe, accessible and welcoming destinations.

Read more:
https://t.co/ag2aLN2qFq
#SouthAfrica #Tourism #Travel #TBCSA #TOMSA #ATI2026

[FinancialMail @FinancialMail]

The world’s best road trip? Right here in #SouthAfrica

A country notorious for potholes now also has the smoothest ride: South Africa’s Garden Route is the world’s best road trip, according to Auto Trader UK.

https://t.co/8NFtXI0xu4

[TBCSA @TBCZA]

Tourism readiness relies not only on destination marketing, but also on the operational systems that support safe and accessible visitor experiences.

Today, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), together with partners and stakeholders, participated in the handover of beach patrol vehicles to the City of eThekwini in support of beachfront safety operations.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts aimed at supporting tourism infrastructure, visibility and visitor safety within one of South Africa’s key tourism destinations.

As Durban continues to strengthen its tourism offering ahead of major events and peak travel periods, coordinated public and private sector collaboration remains important in supporting visitor confidence and destination experiences.
#SouthAfrica #Tourism #Travel #TBCSA

[Times LIVE @TimesLIVE]

President Ramaphosa, your private visit last week to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s farm has unsettled millions of Zimbabweans, and it deserves a public reply, says Zimbabwean businessman Trevor Ncube.

https://t.co/nQ68KBMnfs

[Ofentse Donald Davhie @DonaldDavhie]

South Africa’s response to the request by the Republic of Ghana for a debate at the AU on the “Xenophobic Attacks in the Republic of South Africa against African Nationals” | @DIRCO_ZA

8 May 2026

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has noted the request by the Republic of Ghana for a debate at the upcoming African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Summit scheduled to take place in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, on the 24th of June 2026 on what it calls “Xenophobic Attacks in the Republic of South Africa against African Nationals”.

Following sporadic incidents of confrontation against some immigrants, among them citizens of fellow African states residing in South Africa by sections in our communities earlier this month, the South African government moved swiftly to condemn acts of confrontation and intimidation and directed all law enforcement agencies to promptly take the necessary actions within the laws of the Republic to guarantee the safety of citizens, residents and visitors and to bring to book all perpetrators whose actions are inconsistent with the rule of law and fundamental values of our Constitution.

It is a matter of public record that on the occasion of our nation’s commemoration of Freedom Day on 27 April 2026, the President of the Republic of South Africa, HE President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, strongly condemned those who took the law into their own hands while affirming the enduring bonds of solidarity and friendship between South Africa and fellow African states and acknowledged the overwhelming support of African countries to South Africa’s liberation struggle. In this regard, the President said:

“We did not walk alone into freedom. We were carried by a tide of solidarity from the nations of Africa, among many others. These countries opened their borders to our liberation fighters. They shared their bread and their homes. They spoke for us when we could not speak for ourselves. The leaders and people of Africa kept our struggle alive. It cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible. We are a people who live the value of ubuntu. We should never allow the legitimate concerns of our communities about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans. We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia, directed towards people from other African countries or other parts of the world. Instead, we must insist that the law be upheld and enforced.”

Since the outbreak of these unfortunate incidents, Minister Ronald Lamola has had intensive engagements with a number of fellow African Foreign Ministers and resident African Ambassadors regarding these developments to assure them that these matters are receiving the attention of the relevant authorities in South Africa. Specifically, Minister Lamola engaged his Ghanaian and Nigerian counterparts, and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to protect the rights of nationals. residents and visitors in line with the rule of law, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, Minister Lamola went on to clarify developments related to these incidents which alleged that some nationals from Ghana and Nigeria were killed during the recent protests by law enforcement authorities. There is no credible evidence to draw this conclusion at this stage. South Africa cautions against manipulated footages and divisive narratives including fake videos that have been circulating on various social media platforms.

In all his engagements with counterparts, the Minister Lamola reaffirmed South Africa’s unwavering commitment to the Pan-African agenda, Ubuntu and solidarity, the values around which many African states and ordinary people cohered to support the people of South Africa during our struggle against apartheid.

During the discussions, particularly with both Foreign Ministers of Ghana and Nigeria, Minister Lamola highlighted the existing strong and enduring bilateral relations between South Africa and their respective countries which span over several decades, comprising of comprehensive government-to-government, people-to-people and economic co-operation. These relations are co-ordinated at a Presidential level through Bi-National Commissions (BNCs). Against this background, Minister Lamola invited his counterparts to work together through these established mechanisms to address all the challenges which may arise between our respective countries, including addressing the root causes of migration challenges and implementing early warning systems. To this end, Minister Lamola conveyed President Ramaphosa’s commitment to continue discussions with his counterparts during the upcoming sessions of the BNC scheduled for this year.

In all its engagements with fellow African partners since these incidents, South Africa has called for the upholding of diplomatic decorum, mutual respect, transparency, and fraternity and the need to guard against approaches that risk sowing division, escalating tensions at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. In this regard, South Africa welcomes the initiative of countries that have directly reached out to seek clarity and understanding of these incidents.

The Challenge of Migration:

South Africa has gone to great lengths to welcome and integrate millions of immigrants of African countries – and many others from beyond our continent. According to a conservative estimate, South Africa is home to approximately three million migrants, 90 percent of whom are from the African continent, thus making South Africa the largest host of African immigrants in the world. This has turned the country into a melting pot of various African cultures. Most of these immigrants have integrated into South African society and form a vital bridge between South Africa and their countries of origin at a people-to-people level.

It is also a fact that South Africa’s history of migration and its diverse foreign-born population have intersected with economic anxieties around unemployment, and service delivery, contributing to period tensions between some locals and foreign nationals most of whom lack a legal immigration status, resulting in tension.

South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to all the regional, continental and global frameworks which seek to facilitate the movement of people across borders. In this regard, South Africa is one of the seven SADC member states out of 16 member states that has ratified the 2005 SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons.

Whilst South Africa supports the overall objectives of both the SADC Protocol and the AU Free Movement Of Persons protocol, we recognise that the slow progress towards their ratification and entry into force is due to several challenges faced by member states.  These challenges include economic and social pressures, governance and policy difficulties, security challenges, and pressure on Border Management Systems. Some of these challenges are acutely pronounced in South Africa as the host of the largest number of immigrants on the continent.

As a matter of priority, South Africa is currently reviewing its immigration policy framework in order to better respond to these challenges. To this end, a White Paper on Migration has been developed. Through the White Paper, South Africa intends to align with international best practices; and there are ongoing discussions in order to agree on bilateral migration dispensations with some partners in the region.

It should be noted that in our context, non-Nationals are embedded in our society, and we have no refugee camps for asylum-seekers as is the case in other countries, as we promote a humane policy of integration.

It is against this background that the South African Government is in the process of improving the state’s capacity to manage immigration through a number of interventions.

Incidentally, some of the proposed measures are similar to some of the legislative measures recently adopted by Ghana, such as:

Economic Protection: Just as Ghana’s GIPC Act reserve certain sectors for its own citizens, South Africa introduces a points-based visa system to ensure migration supports national development.
Compliance and Sovereignty: Our Intelligent Population Register will guarantee that entry is legal, documented, and merit-based, safeguarding both dignity and national security.
Shared Responsibility: By adopting the “First Safe Country” principle, South Africa calls for a regional system of refugee protection where compassion is matched by administrative capacity, ensuring that there is dignity for those in need without overwhelming any single state.
Border Management Authority: Since April 2023, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has deported 500 000 people. Moreover, steps are being taken to demolish and rebuild South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry as part of a transformative public-private partnership (PPP).

The continent’s migration challenges need to shift from apportioning blame to practical solutions based on burden-sharing. This challenge on our continent needs to be addressed, not by pandering to short-term gains, but rather systemic patterns of change that address the root causes of irregular migration.

It is against this background that regional integration, driven by a Pan-African agenda, forms a significant part of how South Africa relates with the rest of the continent and the world. For South Africa, Pan-Africanism demands an African consciousness and an African loyalty; the spirit that the plight of its people and that of the rest of the African continent is inextricably intertwined. It is imperative that migration remains safe, orderly and regular so that countries of origin, transit and destination assume their responsibilities in a structured manner.

In conclusion South Africa remains open to continued diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue with any State on matters of mutual concern, hence South Africa finds Ghana’s decision to escalate concerns about irregular migration to the African Union regrettable.

However, should the AU deem it appropriate to place the matter on the Agenda, South Africa will also propose an agenda item on the push and pull factors of migration, including good governance, rule of law, and democracy, in accordance with the Constitutive Act of the AU.

“South Africa will continue to lead with a Pan-African heart. Our commitment is to solidarity, the rule of law, and the safety of all who reside within our borders. Migration must be managed through cooperation, compassion and continental responsibility,” said Minister Lamola.
🔗 https://t.co/l4w9flmc0A

[Ash Müller @Askash]

Would you book a night’s stay on Robben Island?

I had to read the headline twice because it felt too surreal to be real. Former prison guard houses may be turned into tourist accommodation. At first, it sounded like satire… but it’s not.

A pilot project is already underway, and the idea is gaining traction.

But this isn’t just another development opportunity. Robben Island is a place of deep historical weight. A site tied to pain, resistance, suffering and sacrifice. A place where history is not separate from the land… it is the land.

And just like that, it’s being reframed as somewhere you can check in.

Where do we draw the line between preservation and commercialisation?

Read my full article below.

[Gillian Saunders🇿🇦 @GilliSaunders]

@stats_feed Not possible- both no longer with us

[Ground Work Collective (NPC) @gwc_za]

"Misinformation and disinformation is another issue that needs to be dealt with extensively, if we want to get buy in from South Africans. People believe what they see online that's why our organization is investing in digital technology to help with voter registration and reporting of issues on the ground during elections through our programme's. @ForDemocracySa @mbalimcdust @IECSouthAfrica

[TBCSA @TBCZA]

[SAVE THE DATE] The Tourism Business Council of South Africa will host the fifth edition of the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference from 27–28 October 2026 at Sun City Resort, North West province.

As the council marks 30 years of private sector leadership, this year’s conference aims to create space for reflection on how the sector has evolved and what is required to move it forward.

Tourism continues to be shaped by changing global dynamics, from shifting demand patterns to broader economic pressures. The 2026 conference will focus on practical steps needed to strengthen demand and improve destination competitiveness.

Learn more about previous conference outcomes and engagements here: https://t.co/BVYRosV5mE

Share in the comments which aspects of the sector deserve more focus to unlock consistent demand.
#SouthAfrica #Tourism #Travel #TBCSA

[Southern Guards GC @SouthernGuards]

The official numbers are out…Let’s make it even bigger and better in 2027?!

Nielsen Sports SA data shows the landmark event at Steyn City attracted a live unique audience of 186,771 viewers, while capturing over 90% of SuperSport’s golf viewership during the tournament window underlining its dominance among local audiences.

#golf #livgolf @livgolf_league

[Phyllis Wakiaga, MBS @PhyllisWakiaga]

Last week at @WTM_Africa in Cape Town, I had the opportunity to moderate the panel “Over-Tourism: Can There Be Too Much Investment?” with Hafsa Mbamba, Tourism Manager at the Presidential Delivery Bureau, Zanzibar; Enver Duminy, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Town Tourism; and Shelley Cox, Co-owner of Africa Conservation Travel and We Are Victoria Falls Destination Management Organisation.

What made the discussion especially valuable was that each panelist brought practical lessons from Zanzibar, Cape Town, and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, grounding the conversation in lived destination experience rather than abstract debate.

One of the most important takeaways for me was that Africa may need to frame the debate on over-tourism differently. Much of the global conversation comes from destinations already dealing with saturation. In the African context, many destinations are still seeking more tourists, greater value, and more investment. That shifts the question. The issue is often not “over-tourism” in the classic sense, but the concentration of visitors, investment, and benefits in specific places, and whether destinations are being managed well enough to support the growth they want, while making it competitive, resilient, and widely beneficial.

The panel also highlighted the importance of connecting destination marketing much more closely with destination management. If promotion and investment move faster than planning, infrastructure, governance, and community benefit, what looks like growth can quickly become a strain.

Another key point was that success cannot be measured solely by arrivals. Destinations need to understand citizen sentiment, whether residents feel tourism is improving their city, and whether the benefits are spreading beyond the usual hotspots. The discussion also reinforced the importance of connecting destinations more deliberately, so visitor flows, investment, and opportunity can reach underutilised areas.

I also appreciated that the conversation moved beyond infrastructure alone. We explored shared-benefit tourism, stewardship, circular economy opportunities, and the importance of ensuring that tourism growth translates into visible value for residents, local businesses, communities, and ecosystems. That is what will ultimately sustain legitimacy and competitiveness over time.

For me, the strongest conclusion from the session was this: Africa does not need to inherit the mistakes of already saturated destinations elsewhere. It still has an opportunity to build better-managed, better-planned, and more resilient tourism destinations, and, in doing so, become a benchmark for smarter, shared-benefit tourism growth.

Congratulations to Gillian Saunders, Reed Exhibitions, and JLL on convening such a strong event, and thank you again to Hafsa, Enver, and Shelley for such a thoughtful and grounded discussion.

#TourismInvestment #DestinationManagement #AfricaTourism

[Daily Investor @DailyInvestorSA]

Johannesburg is undergoing a major urban shift, with a growing share of office buildings being converted into residential and mixed-use developments.
https://t.co/GCAJQ6ImdD

[Africa First @AfricaFirsts]

South Africans (SAns) 🇿🇦 are the world’s friendliest people, according to Remitly.

[Cape {town} Etc @CapeTownEtc]

The Garden Route has officially been ranked the world’s best road trip

Scoring 90.6/100, it beat iconic routes like Route 66 and the Amalfi Coast. A big win for South African tourism!:
https://t.co/ajGAba99Yx

[MaropengSA @MaropengSA]

We have officially wrapped up our participation at World Travel Market Africa, marking a significant milestone in advancing the strategic positioning of Maropeng on the global stage.

During this prestigious platform, we proudly presented the Maropeng Investment Prospectus, reinforcing our commitment to unlocking sustainable tourism growth, driving investment opportunities, and enhancing the value proposition of the Cradle of Humankind.

We were further honoured by the presence of Ewan Botha, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Environment, Gauteng, alongside Bongani Ngomane, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cradle of Humankind, reflecting strong leadership and continued institutional support for tourism development and heritage preservation. This engagement also formed part of commemorating 20 years of Maropeng, celebrating two decades of excellence in advancing South Africa’s heritage and visitor economy.

In recognition of exemplary service and outstanding contribution, we also had the honour of awarding Dr Trish with a framed certificate of appreciation for her dedicated work and impactful role in advancing the vision and success of Maropeng.

This engagement reflects our continued commitment to partnerships, excellence, and the long-term development of South Africa’s heritage and tourism economy.

#WTMAfrica #Maropeng #TourismInvestment #CradleOfHumankind #GrowingGautengTogether #Maropeng20Years