April newsletter – 5 May
upcoming shop entries now also on Facebook
buy tickets online and save 10%
introduce the lilizela awards nominations we spoke about in the
Meeting? http://www.lilizela.co.za/categories/tourist-guides/
The Lilizela Tourism Awards honour and celebrate those who make a remarkable impact
on tourism in South Africa
The Lilizela Tourism Awards were launched at INDABA 2013 by the South African
Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk. They will be South Africa’s premier
travel and tourism awards. They recognise, celebrate and praise the excellent work of an
industry that’s created – and that sustains – fantastic tourist arrivals growth to South
Africa
Entries are now open for the 2014 Lilizela Tourism Awards, the premier tourism award
programme for businesses in South Africa that aim to reward and celebrate excellence
across the tourism industry. Lilizela is a Nguni word which means to ululate: an act of
congratulations when someone has done something well.
“Following on the highly successful 2013 Awards programme, with over 400 people
attending the final National Awards Gala Dinner on the 12 September 2013, the 2014
campaign culminating in the prestigious awards promises to be even more vibrant and
even more inclusive,” said Mr Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer at South African
Tourism.
“Lilizela is a name that truly distinguishes these uniquely African awards from the
mainstream. These Awards recognise and reward tourism players and businesses who
work passionately and with pride to deliver a world class product and service and whose
delivery grows South Africa’s global destination competitiveness.”
Focus Area: Service Excellence
This Focus Area has three Categories, and how well tourism products do this area, will,
to a very large degree, be based on guest feedback. Measurements have been put in
place to allow the public to cast their vote.
The Accommodation sector was the only one recognised during the first year of the
awards. This year, Visitor Experience of the Year as well as the Tourist Guide of the Year
have been added and will also be recognised.
Read the bios of Maropeng’s guides here –
Norman Maine and Maropeng Ramalepa for now.
http://www.maropeng.co.za/news/entry/always_willing_to_accept_any_challen
ge_norman_maine
http://www.maropeng.co.za/news/entry/right_at_home_at_maropeng_maropen
g_ramalepa
Nominate here - http://www.lilizela.co.za/categories/tourist-guides/
include some video content and a pano image from Peter Thompson
and also talk about Rising Star and the upcoming workshop –
The University of the Witwatersrand, through the Centre of Excellence in
PalaeoSciences and theEvolutionary Studies Institute will be holding a unique workshop to
study and describe recently discovered fossil early hominin material for a series of high impact
publications. It is intended that the Workshop will be held in South Africa from early May until the
first week of June 2014.
We are seeking early career scientists with data and skill sets applicable to the study of any part of
the anatomy of early hominins. Participants must be willing to share these data and skills in a
collaborative workshop designed to study, describe and publish these important hominin fossils.
The intent of the workshop is to give a unique opportunity to early career scientists to participate in
the primary description of African early hominin material. Applicants must be able to attend the
entirety of the workshop. Successful applicants will have all travel and accommodation costs
covered, be given access to existing comparative fossils, modern material and all data sets and
receive mentoring throughout the process from senior established scientists.
The Rising Star Expedition was rapidly assembled during October 2013 to recover ancient hominid
fossils discovered deep in a South African cave. With more than 1200 identified and cataloged hominid
fossil elements already collected, the find could add significantly to our understanding of human
evolution. With the bones hidden 30 meters underground beyond obstacles including a dangerous
squeeze only 18 cm wide, it was necessary to assemble a select team of capable researchers with
excavation experience and the unlikely caving skills and particular size required to reach the inner
chamber. The few who met all these requirements happened to all be women. Directed by National
Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Lee Berger of the University of the Witwatersrand, and supported by
cavers from the Speleological Exploration Club of South Africa, these researchers spent three weeks
bringing up hominid fossils that are now being analyzed by a wider team of experts on the surface.
I'll also talk about the Cradle cycle fest and what a success it was. done
West Rand Tourism awards? done
7th West Rand Tourism (WRT) Awards 2014, the premium tourism
award programme that aims to reward and celebrate excellence across the tourism industry,
recognizing and celebrating business owners, products and services that have displayed
exceptional
service and value for money for tourists visiting the West Rand.
This award programme is aimed at promoting quality products, facilities and high service
standards. The
resounding success and large number of entries received by the 2012/13 programme proved that
recognition of the awards is high and hope this continues in the 2013/14 programme. The
programme
will again focus on enhancing the visitor's experience and sustaining high standards. Ultimately
transforming the West Rand into an internationally- acclaimed tourist destination.
The current tourism market is highly competitive and a world-class performance is essential in
order to
enjoy global recognition.
The West Rand Tourism Awards represent the highest possible accolade of the West Rand
Tourism
Enterprise, celebrating excellence and encouraging continuous improvement in an increasingly
competitive industry.
The winners of the WRT Awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at the end of June
2014.
Reach for a Dream story as well done
And of course to drive Mothers Day. done
Online survey link too – done
Would you guys consider helping me again with a little paragraph in the
Maropeng Newsletter? If anyone who had visited between 2008 and 2013
would like to participate in my online survey?
The link is as follows:
http://take-survey.com/statkon/heritage_tourism_maropeng.htm