Golf's role in driving sports tourism and economy in South Africa
The tourism and hospitality sector have praised the sport of golf in boosting the economy and bringing international tourists to KZN and South Africa.
This comes after golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were invited as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's delegation to meet US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington on Wednesday.
Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), said on Friday that golf was a powerful driver of tourism and hospitality, especially in South Africa where we boast some of the world's most scenic and high-quality golf courses.
'From the Garden Route to the highveld, South Africa offers championship-standard courses at a fraction of the cost compared to those in Europe, North America or China,' Anderson said.
'This combination of affordability and excellence is an untapped opportunity in the international market, which could be better leveraged to grow inbound tourism. SA Tourism should be targeting this untapped market with vigour.'
Anderson added that sport tourism was a significant economic booster.
'It supports not only the direct sports venues but also stimulates broader travel spend - accommodation, dining, transport, and experiences. Golf, with its global appeal and affluent following, can contribute meaningfully to local economies, particularly in off-peak travel seasons, due to our wonderful weather in our country – golf is a year-round sport,' she said.
Anderson said it was frustrating that South Africa has not aggressively gone after the golf market to attract more tourists to the country.
'Golf is more than just a sport; it's a global network that opens doors on many levels, including diplomacy. It was telling that during a recent diplomatic engagement at the White House, President Ramaphosa included South African golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in his delegation - an astute move, as former President Trump is famously passionate about golf and its champions,' she said.
'This illustrates the soft power and universal appeal of golf. Promoting South Africa as a top-tier, yet affordable, golfing destination can position the country as a premier choice for leisure and business tourism alike.'
Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Jeannie Sarno said that sport tourism should always be a section in tourism to be calculated and considered.
'Especially golf. Durban has the perfect weather all year round, and it would be silly for us in tourism not to take full advantage of this and amongst other sports that could be looked into for future events,' Sarno said.
Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), said that the KZN South Coast, which is known colloquially as 'The Golf Coast', was fortunate to have 11 quality golf courses, many of which offer a backdrop of the Indian Ocean set among stunning coastal forests.
'These are a major tourism attraction for visitors looking for a golf weekend getaway, or for those simply looking for a fun recreational activity while visiting this beautiful region,' he said.
Sibiya added that golf remained one of the world's most popular sports and was a key strategy for business networking and engagement.
'The KZN South Coast is a top MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination, with our golf courses providing the perfect setting to host corporate days, fundraising events, and professional golf competitions such as The Wild Coast Classic, the Thursday Ladies Challenge Golf, and the South African Women's Masters.'
Visit: www.businessreport.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
26 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Bayanda Walaza wins Universiade 100m crown on profitable day for SA
Bayanda Walaza became the third South African to win the World Student Games 100m crown as he claimed South Africa's third gold medal of the 2025 showpiece in Germany on Tuesday night. The world junior champion crossed the line in 10.16sec as he downed Puripol Boonson of Thailand, the same man he beat at the under-20 global competition in Peru last year. Anaso Jobodwana was the first South African to win this crown in 2013 and Akani Simbine followed in 2015 — and now there's 19-year-old Walaza, who has added the Universiade title to his age-group crowns and Olympic 4x100m silver medal. But it wasn't all plain sailing for the Tshwane University of Technology student, who survived anxious moments in the semifinals. Walaza escaped a false start after one of his rivals twitched in his blocks before his own indiscretion. Then the field was called back for a faulty start and when they finally got under way for real at the third firing of the gun, Walaza didn't get away as cleanly as normal. But he did enough to win his heat by one-hundredth of a second. He made no mistake in the final to cap a profitable day for South Africa with no fewer than four medals on the day. In the women's 100m Gabriella Marais ended third in 10.51, seven-hundredths of a second behind Australia winner Georgia Harris. Colette Uys took bronze in the women's shot put with a heave of 17.34m, just 1cm in front of compatriot Mine de Klerk. Olivia Nel landed her third medal of the gala as she claimed bronze in the women's 50m backstroke in 27.91sec, breaking her own African record set earlier in the competition. Then she won the first semifinal heat of the women's 50m freestyle, clocking 24.96, the second-fastest time of the evening. Nel's podium finish added to the two bronze medals claimed in relay races, one of which she won alongside twin Georgia, in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
Why punish the children of 2025 for the apartheid sins of their parents?
Bidvest's recent handling of its bursary scheme deeply unsettles me. The company has a bursary programme for students from grades 4 to 12. The bursary covers school fees, stationery, school uniforms and assistance with extra classes. Full-time employees earning less than R15,300 per month before deductions may apply. However, the programme is only for black, coloured or Indian employees. White employees' children are explicitly excluded. It reminds me of the day I was chased out of the post office because the child in me was too naïve to see the 'whites only' notice. The door for coloured people was at the back. It also reminded me of the time when I had to wait for the train as a student at the University of the Western Cape, but couldn't sit on the bench that had the words 'for whites only' written on it. I vowed to myself that I would do everything in my power to prevent any child from being hurt like that again. If it hadn't been for a good Samaritan who took care of me when I was a poor student so that I could receive a bursary, I would not be in the position to write this article today. In its defence, Bidvest states that the trust was established in 2003 as part of a corporate social investment structure that formed part of a consortium for black economic empowerment. They further argue that in accordance with the principles and philosophy of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, the trust was established with the sole purpose of uplifting historically disadvantaged individuals who are employees of the Bidvest Group. It has been in operation for 22 years and has been very successful in changing the lives of their employees and their families, states a release from the company's communications firm. With regards to the success of the programme, I will not argue, and I want to give Bidvest credit for the fact that 22 years ago it was indeed important to uplift historically disadvantaged black people. However, this is not what is being discussed here. On its website, the company states that they want to make a meaningful 'impact on society' in a way that is 'innovative' and that the company is 'influenced by the context within which it operates'. They want to do this in a 'unique and resilient' way within an adaptable structure. The board members of Bidvest will agree with me that the circumstances today look significantly different than 22 years ago. After 30 years of a democratic order, the playing field is completely different. Today you find poor children across a wide spectrum of South African society. It is no longer restricted to just black children. As vice-dean at the University of Stellenbosch's Faculty of Education, it was my task to administer bursaries. I am also involved in the Foundation for Empowerment through Afrikaans (Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans, SBA) Honours programme and Rapport's education bursary fund. Over the past 20 years I have seen how our financial landscape has changed. Poverty knows – unlike 22 years ago – no colour. Students who are dependent on bursaries have increased among all families. Therefore, no student should be disadvantaged. The only criterion should be whether the child qualifies for the bursary and whether or not their parents can afford their studies. Also, the context in which the company currently operates differs from when the bursary scheme was established. Today, all employees can progress to the boardroom. I would really like to know how Bidvest looks its staff in the eye knowing that the company has failed to help all the needy children. What impact does this have on healthy relationships in the boardroom when employees who earn the same do not receive equal treatment? I acknowledge the terms of the trust that was established 22 years ago, but surely a company that prides itself on being adaptable and innovative could have made a plan to start a new bursary scheme from which all its employees can benefit? Nelson Mandela once said: 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' These words of Madiba emphasise the transformative potential of education and highlight the critical role that education plays in promoting social, economic and political change. It is time for all of us – including Bidvest – to act on Madiba's words. Therefore, I could not remain silent when Bidvest ran a bursary programme 'only for black, coloured and Indian' children. It brings back all the pain and sorrow of the past. Children of 2025 had no part in South Africa's apartheid past. Why punish them for the sins of their forefathers? All children have dreams. All children are born in innocence. It is adults who raise children to be racists. After 30 years of democracy, it's time for us to banish words like whites, blacks, coloureds and Indians from our vocabulary. They do not belong in a democratic dispensation. According to their website, Bidvest deems all forms of discrimination based on race as illegal and they will not tolerate it. Furthermore, the company says: 'We do the right thing, even when no one else is looking.'
Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
New offshore oil and gas projects in direct conflict with SA's climate commitments
Virtually the entire coastal zone of South Africa (95%) has been leased out by the state for oil and gas exploration. How can a goal of 30% Marine Protected Areas align with 95% of the ocean under exploration leases? The ocean-loving public has justifiable concerns about plastic pollution, because it is horribly visible. Much less visible, but hugely important, is the relationship between climate change and the ocean. It's a multi-directional relationship, the ocean and us. A healthy ocean is our life support system. Half of global oxygen comes from phytoplankton growing in the ocean. The ocean removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which means it is working against climate change. But the more the ocean is damaged through warming and acidification (caused by warming), the less able it is to produce oxygen and absorb our carbon emissions. And then there is another threat: the ocean is a new frontier for fossil fuel mining. Virtually the entire coastal zone of South Africa (95%) has been leased out by the state for oil and gas exploration. Environmental organisations have been fighting for our lives in court. The high profile Shell-Wild Coast case opposing seismic testing led to victories for the environment in 2022 and 2024. However, perceptions that the battle against offshore oil and gas is over are misguided. In spite of wins in the high court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, Shell is still planning to go to the Constitutional Court. Similarly, the Searcher seismic case off the West Coast, from St Helena to Hondeklipbaai, was interdicted in 2022, but the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy subsequently granted new exploration permits in 2024 and 2025. Exploration by TotalEnergies EP South Africa is currently being legally contested by Green Connection and Natural Justice. These include a block between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas (see map: Blocks 5,6,7) and between Mossel Bay and Cape St Francis (see map: Blocks 11/12B). The scene is set for a battle between life and death, with environmental organisations challenging fossil fuel development in the ocean. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has loudly proclaimed that natural gas is a transition fuel that will take us into a sustainable (environmentally friendly) energy future. He claims it will provide an alternative to coal-based energy, and is in line with South Africa's Just Energy Transition. He hopes to set up a centralised 'war room' and dedicated courts to bypass environmentalists. Mantashe's campaign is a great gas greenwash and needs to be exposed. New oil and gas projects are in direct conflict with South Africa's climate commitments. We have agreed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That's not so far off. Your new baby will be 25 years old, and your granny may still be alive. And South African emissions are meant to peak in 2025 (that's now) and decline thereafter. How is that possible with new oil and gas projects coming online in the next 10 to 30 years? Our emissions are already too high. The International Energy Association and University College London have stated that we cannot meet international climate goals if new oil and gas projects are opened up. Risk of oil spills The offshore oil and gas industry also brings the risk of oil spills, which to date have not been adequately factored into mining permits. Although infrequent, they have devastating consequences. The rapid Agulhas Current along the East Coast could disperse oil as far as the West Coast. An oil spill affects the water column, the water surface, the shorelines and the seabed. It kills thousands of marine animals and destroys coastal livelihoods. A new scientific oil spill model in South Africa can predict the impacts of an oil blowout. It provides an objective, scientific tool for assessing the risks of ocean mining. Environmental organisations can now use this model to oppose offshore drilling. Even without an oil spill, offshore mining damages the ocean ecosystem. It physically damages the ocean floor and releases polluting sediments and toxic metals into the water. These activities destroy habitats, and biodiversity. Additionally, offshore oil and gas is economically risky. New markets would have to be developed in South Africa in tandem with massive infrastructure investment. This would lock South Africans into expensive dirty energy or could lead to stranded assets as the world turns away from fossil fuels. South African consumers and taxpayers would bear the brunt of this choice. At the same time, there is increasing evidence, including from the government's own models, that show that renewable energy is a cheaper, safer and faster source of energy for South Africa. Some consolation may be found in financial institutions around the world shifting away from investment in fossil fuel projects. In light of the above, why is the South African government supporting offshore mining? There is a lot of oil and gas out there — possibly 27 billion barrels of oil and 60 trillion cubic feet of gas. This may be profitable for the oil and gas industry in the short term, depending on how long it takes for global prices to decline. Cosy relationship with the gas industry And the government has a close and cosy relationship with the gas industry. The 2022 Gas Masterplan Basecase Report released by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy promotes a gas pathway for South Africa. It has been criticised for relying solely on input from the gas industry and for its lack of credible independent research. The relationship between the department and the gas industry is illustrated by the Mantashe-Ayuk bromance. NJ Ayuk is the chairperson of the non-profit Africa Energy Chamber, a trade group connecting oil and gas executives with government officials. Ayuk's Africa Energy Week is sponsored by a number of state-owned entities. Unsurprisingly, Ayuk has nothing but praise for Mantashe, describing him as a voice of reason regarding climate concerns. Mantashe, who is once again a target for investigation into criminal corruption, is on the same wavelength as Ayuk. The latter has criminal records for fraud, money laundering and maliciously targeting a journalist. Could the Mantashe-Ayuk bromance be contributing to this plan for ocean plunder? The figures don't add up. The government is deceiving us. How can a goal of 30% Marine Protected Areas align with 95% of the ocean under exploration leases? How can carbon emissions decline from 2025 if offshore oil and gas projects come online in the next 10 to 30 years? The next few years will be crucial in deciding the health of our oceans. Without this we face exponential global heating and the destruction of the ocean life support system. And yes, there are things that the ordinary person can do. The oil and gas industry knows that they face environmental and governance challenges, both globally and in South Africa. We can stop their ambitions from becoming reality, by supporting environmental organisations that are taking the legal route. These include organisations such as All Rise Attorneys, Natural Justice, Greenpeace Africa, The Green Connection, the Legal Resources Centre and 350Africa, as well as local coastal communities and organisations. Fighting for small-scale fishers A number of these organisations are also fighting for the customary rights of small-scale fishers who have been increasingly excluded from the ocean economy. This includes participation in the governance of marine resources. These organisations have already shown that, like David, they can tackle the giant. We need to inform ourselves and others about what they are doing. Everyone has a stake in this invisible threat of ocean destruction. In addition to legal challenges to offshore mining, the oceans need long-term protection. Marine Protected Area (MPAs) allow marine life to recover, climate resilience to improve and prevent mining. The government has committed to protecting 30% of South African oceans by 2030. At the moment only 5% is protected. That means that in the next five years, an additional 25% of South Africa's oceans must be declared protected areas. It sounds impossible but it's a goal worth fighting for. David Attenborough's words can inspire us to action: 'The ocean can bounce back to life. If left alone it may not just recover, but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.' DM Dr Moraig Peden is a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, Cape Town. She is a retired academic with a background in environmental education.
