Dep Minister Tokozile Xasa on role of tourism to Free State economy

The Free State Province in South Africa is experiencing a significant transformation through its Global Investors Trade Bridge of 2016. CNBC Africa's Gugulethu Cele recently interviewed the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, to discuss the pivotal role of tourism and business in driving economic growth in the province. Deputy Minister Xasa highlighted the importance of events like the Macufe Festival in attracting both local and international visitors, as well as fostering investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises. The Deputy Minister expressed her excitement about the diverse range of activities taking place in the Free State Province, noting that each South African province has something unique to offer the world. With South Africa gaining popularity as a destination of choice globally, Deputy Minister Xasa emphasized the need to showcase the tourism potential of the Free State Province on an international scale. She underscored the significance of effectively marketing the province as a leisure destination and a business hub. Deputy Minister Xasa highlighted the success of the National Tourism Careers Expo held in conjunction with the Macufe Festival, which attracted over 9,000 participants from various provinces in South Africa. The Expo served as a platform for promoting tourism-related career opportunities and engaging the youth in the sector. Additionally, the Deputy Minister pointed out that the Macufe Festival, originally a local event in the Free State Province, has now evolved into a renowned brand recognized not only in South Africa but also in neighboring countries. The Global Investors Trade Bridge represents a new phase in leveraging the economic potential of the Macufe Festival and the tourism sector in the Free State Province. Deputy Minister Xasa highlighted the shift towards identifying investment opportunities and promoting entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors like agriculture and small business development. She emphasized the importance of value addition through agro-processing and job creation to address youth unemployment in the province. In line with the government's initiatives to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Deputy Minister Xasa mentioned the availability of incentives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the focus on SME development by the Minister of Small Business Development. The Deputy Minister emphasized the need to nurture and sustain SMEs by providing them with access to funding, resources, and partnership opportunities. Deputy Minister Xasa also highlighted the growing interest of international investors, with China standing out as a key player in the global market. She noted that Chinese investments in South Africa had significantly increased, indicating a shift towards long-term business ventures rather than just leisure activities. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of collaborating with investors to drive sustainable economic growth and create lasting legacies in the Free State Province. In conclusion, Deputy Minister Tokozile Xasa expressed optimism about the prospects of the Global Investors Trade Bridge 2016 in catalyzing tourism development, stimulating business opportunities, and fostering economic growth in the Free State Province. The alignment of government programs, private sector investments, and international partnerships is poised to shape a prosperous future for the province's tourism and business sectors.