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Tourist guiding

ADVANCED RESEARCH

TGC-114: Introduction to provincial courses

Copyright and database rights protection exists in this publication and all rights are reserved.

This publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, conveyed,

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prior written permission of MGT Courses.

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Welcome to the Advanced Guiding Programme and introduction to the

Provincial courses. This component will explain some of the important

terminology that you might encounter in your research. It will also

provide guidance as to the important topics and aspects about the

provinces that you should know. Each province has its own unique

character and special attractions and should be presented as such. Enjoy

the journey of discovering your province!

US335794 SO1 AC1 Knowledge of a site or local area is compiled to identify prominent

attractions and interests relevant to the area of operation.

US 335794 EEK2 Specific geographical knowledge of the area of operation.

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LEARNING UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOUTH AFRICA’S

PROVINCES

Introduction to South Africa’s provinces

South Africa had four provinces until 1994. After the 1994 elections South

Africa was divided into nine provinces, each with its own legislature,

premier and executive council.

1910-1994 1994 Onwards

Previously a British Colony

The Cape Divided into the Western Cape,

Eastern Cape and Northern Cape

Natal Renamed KwaZulu-Natal

Previously Boer Republics

The Transvaal (Zuid Afrikaansche

Republiek – ZAR)

Gauteng, Mpumalanga (initially

Eastern Transvaal), Northwest

Province and Limpopo Province

(initially Northern Province).

Orange Free State Became the Free State

Ten Bantustans (or simply called ‘homelands’ or ‘tuislande’ in Afrikaans)

were established under the apartheid’s policy. Each territory was

ethnically homogeneous as the basis for creating "autonomous" nation

states for South Africa's different black ethnic groups. Some of these

Bantustans received independence e.g. Transkei, Bophuthatswana,

Venda, and Ciskei (the so-called TBVC states). Others received only

partial autonomy (such as KwaZulu, Lebowa, and QwaQwa but were

never granted independence.These areas, which were associated with a

specific cultural group, were incorporated into the various provinces.

'Bantu' (meaning 'people' in some of the Bantu languages) and '-stan'

(a suffix meaning 'land' in the Persian language).

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Administrative divisions of South Africa

CAPITALS

Unlike most other countries around the world, South Africa has not one but

three capital cities. This means that the government branches are divided

among three major South African cities. This is an outcome of the

compromise that created the Union of South Africa in 1910. Owing to

disagreements over where the Union's capital should be, a compromise was

reached in which every province would be dealt a share of the benefits of

the capital: the administration would be seated in Pretoria (Transvaal),

Parliament would be in Cape Town (Cape Province), the Appellate Division

would be in Bloemfontein (Orange Free State). Bloemfontein and

Pietermaritzburg (Natal) were given financial compensation.

Pretoria – home to foreign

embassies and governmental

departments

Executive / Administrative

Bloemfontein – hosts the

Supreme Court of Appeal.

Judicial

Cape Town Legislative

PROVINCES

After the 1994 elections South Africa was divided into nine provinces,

each with its own legislature, premier and executive council.

Provincial capital

The Eastern Cape Bhisho

The Free State Bloemfontein (Mangaung)

Gauteng Johannesburg

KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg

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Limpopo (previously the Northern

Province)

Polokwane

Mpumalanga Mbombela (Nelspruit)

The Northern Cape Kimberley

North West Mafikeng

The Western Cape Cape Town

MUNICIPALITIES

Municipalities in South Africa are a division of local government that lie

one level down from provincial government, forming the lowest level of

democratically elected government structures in the country.

Municipalities can belong to one of three categories: metropolitan, district

and local (referred to in the constitution as categories A, B and C).

Metropolitan

Metropolitan (or category A)

municipalities represent large regions

that encompass some urbanised

region or regions that might be

regarded as a city. For example, the

eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

encompasses the city of Durban and

surrounding towns. There are eight

metropolitan municipalities in South

Africa.

City of Cape Town

City of Johannesburg

City of Tshwane (Pretoria)

City of Ekurhuleni (East

Rand)

eThekwini (Durban)

Nelson Mandela Bay (Port

Elizabeth)

Buffalo City (East London)

Mangaung (Bloemfontein)

In areas which are primarily rural, the local government is divided into

district municipalities and local municipalities.

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District municipalities These category C municipalities form the

main divisions of South Africa's provinces.

Local municipalities The District municipalities are subdivided

into local (or category B) municipalities.

Local municipalities share authority with the

district municipality under which they fall.

For example, the Msunduzi Local

Municipality is contained within the District

Municipality of uMgungundlovu, in the

province of KwaZulu-Natal. There are no

local municipalities in any of the

metropolitan municipalities, which have their

own respective systems of urban

governance. The local municipalities form

the third layer of government.

Example: municipalities and districts

Gauteng Province is divided into 3 metropolitan municipalities and 2

district municipalities (which are further divided into 8 local

municipalities.

Metropolitan municipalities

City of Johannesburg

City of Tshwane

Ekurhuleni

Districts municipalities Local municipalities

Sedibeng

Emfuleni

Midvaal

Lesedi

West Rand

Mogale City

Randfontein

Westonaria

Merafong City*

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*Formerly a Cross-border

municipality. The entire municipality

was transferred to the North West

province in 2005. Following often

violent protests in the township of

Khutsong, the municipality was

reincorporated into the Gauteng

Province in 2009.

The former Metsweding district consisting of Nokeng Tsa Taemane and

Kungwini in the North of the province was incorporated into Tshwane in

2011.

Electoral wards The final layer of subdivision of electoral

regions in South Africa is electoral wards.

Local and metropolitan municipalities are

subdivided into electoral wards. These play

a vital role in both municipal and national

elections. The wards also serve as

constituencies (the voters or residents in a

district represented by an elective officer)

for the municipal councils.

Cross border municipalities

Since 1994 several provinces have shared municipalities which were

officially termed the cross-border municipalities.

Examples

In the Northern Cape the Frances Baard District in particular had several

of its municipalities (Gasegonyane Moshaweng, Phokwane, Gamagara and

Kgalagadi District Municipality) in its north-eastern border overlap with

municipalities, which were in the North West Province. In 2006 the

premiers of the two provinces signed an agreement which re-determined

the local government borders of the municipalities. This meant that

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municipalities were transferred to either North West or the Northern Cape

Provinces and that the assets, rights, obligations, duties and or liabilities

now resided within one province and transferred as is to the receiving

province. (http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2006/06042815451007.htm

viewed on 15 October 2010).

Since communities have been incorporated into other provinces against

their will, this has led to violent protests and long court cases in cross

border municipalities such as Matatiele, Merafong and Moutse. After long

court cases and persuasion, the African National Congress’s (ANC’s)

national executive committee decided to reverse these decisions.

(http://www.lhr.org.za/news/2008/state-review-decisions-cross-border-

municipalities-business-day viewed on 9 June 2010).

Township

In South Africa, the term “township” and “location” usually refers to the

(often underdeveloped) urban living areas that, from the late 19th century

until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites (principally black

Africans and Coloureds, but also working-class Indians).

Townships were usually built on the periphery (outskirts) of towns and

cities. The term township also has a distinct legal meaning, in South

Africa's system of land title, and carries no racial connotations.

Among the well-known townships are Alexandra, Boipatong, Guguletu,

Hammanskraal, Imizamo Yethu, Katlehong, Khayelitsha, Langa, Mitchell's

Plain, Sharpeville and Soweto.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Township_(South_Africa) viewed on 23 June

2010).

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Informal settlement / Shanty town / Squatter camp

A shanty town (also called a squatter camp) is a slum settlement

(sometimes illegal or unauthorized) of impoverished people who live in

dwellings made from scrap materials, plywood, corrugated metal and

sheets of plastic. Shanty towns, which are usually built on the periphery

of cities, often do not have proper sanitation, electricity, or telephone

services.

Shanty towns are mostly found in developing nations, or partially

developed nations with an unequal distribution of wealth (or, on occasion,

developed countries in a severe recession).

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanty_town#cite_note-0 view 23 June

2010).

Rural area and countryside

These are large and isolated areas of an open country with low population

density. The terms "countryside" and "rural areas" are not synonyms:

“countryside" refers to rural areas that are open. Forest, wetlands, and

other areas with a low population density are not countryside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_area viewed on 23 June 2010.

Tourism region

A tourism region is a geographical region that has been designated by a

governmental organisation or tourism bureau as having common cultural

or environmental characteristics. These regions are often named after

historical or current administrative and geographical regions. Others have

names created specifically for tourism purposes. The names often evoke

certain positive qualities of the area and suggest a coherent tourism

experience to visitors.

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Tourism routes (e.g. meanders and rambles)

Tourism routes link together a series of tourism attractions in order to

promote local tourism by encouraging visitors to travel from one location

to another. The characteristics of routes can vary considerably in terms of

length and scale, themes and visitors attracted. It is visited as part of a

special interest holiday or day visitors that frequent the route (or part of

it) on excursions.

For many South African small towns, route tourism is a vital component of

local economic development. Popular tourism routes include the

Winelands, the R62, Garden Route (Eastern and Western Cape) and

Panorama route (Mpumalanga). Tourism routes can be developed by

completing the Cultural footprint for an area.

Origins and historical overview of the towns / cities

Cape Town is the oldest town/city in South Africa and was established as

a refreshment station for ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

on their way to and from the east. The Commander who established the

station in 1652 was Jan van Riebeeck and he is considered to be the

founder of Cape Town. The Dutch did not intend to start a new colony

but within a few years of their arrival, the so-called ‘Free-burghers’ were

granted land by VOC and started settling further afield.

Other villages, towns and cities were founded and developed in South

Africa for multiple of reasons. Here follow some of the most common

examples:

Religious centres

- Foreign mission organisations (e.g. the London Missionary

Society, Berlin Missionary Society, the Moravians) established

mission stations such as Genadendal and Elim.

- Many towns (especially those in the Western Cape) developed

as Dutch Reformed Parishes.

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Administrative centres e.g. magistracy

Trading posts

Railway sidings

Harbours

Discovery of minerals e.g. gold, coal and diamonds

Agricultural communities and irrigation schemes

Apart from the reason for the establishment of a town / city, the person/s

responsible or instrumental in the process and development are also

noteworthy. Factors, events and projects that boosted the growth and

economic development or led to the downfall of a settlement can be

mentioned.

It is also important to remember that most towns/cities in South Africa

have a so-called pre-history which refers to original inhabitants of the

area, or ancient practices, that should be included in the areas history.

Place names

The oldest names are those given by the earliest inhabitant, the Khoisan

and later African names. Other names were bestowed by the Portuguese,

Dutch, English, French and German arrivals. Afrikaans also made a rich

contribution. Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Indian and other languages

are also reflected in some names.

Original names were altered, adapted or translated (wholly or in part) as

people from diverse cultural background and languages interacted. Some

names were created by using a combination of two languages. In the

same way, numerous places across the country came to bear more than

one name.

The Dictionary of Southern African Place Names by RE Raper

provides information of the origin of place names prior to 1994.

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Place names ending on” fontein” (spring or fountain)-South Africa is a

dry country. It is quite striking that so many place names refer to

fountains or springs. Could it be a sigh for water? The names are

derived from a wide variety of elements, e.g. the environment, animals,

plants, people, events or the nature of the spring itself. Notated by ML

Kruger at the Afrikaanse Language Museum, Paarl, 10 March 2011.

Criteria for Name Changes in South Africa

All name changes have to be approved by the South African

Geographical Names Council, which is responsible for standardising

geographical names in South Africa. The Minister of Arts and Culture of

South Africa has the final power to approve or reject a geographical

name recommended by the Geographical Names Council. Any approval

or rejection must be published in the South African Government Gazette

before it takes effect. However, any person or body dissatisfied with a

geographical name approved by the Minister may lodge an appeal

against it.

According to the Council, these are the legitimate grounds for changing

a names:

Offensive linguistic corruption of a name.

A name that's offensive because of its associations.

A name that replaced an existing one and which people would like to

restore.

Any government department, provincial government, local authority,

the post office, property developer, or other body or person can apply

for a name to be approved using the official form. (South African

Geographical Names Council).

You can keep up-to-date with the latest changes by going to South

African Geographical Names System.

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This can get confusing on maps and road signs that are not always up to

date and the Guide should always be informed about old and new names.

In many instances the 'new' names were existing ones used by parts of

the population; others are new municipal entities.

Meaning of new Provincial names

Gauteng, which is the industrial and mining heartland of South Africa, is a

Sesotho word meaning "at the gold". Mpumalanga means "the east" or

"the place where the sun rises", an apt name for South Africa's eastern-

most province. Limpopo is also the name of the river forming the

northern-most boundary of South Africa.

Renamed Towns in South Africa

Among the towns renamed were some named after leaders significant in

Afrikaner history. Pietersburg and Potgietersrus became, respectively,

Polokwane and Mokopane (the name of a king). Warmbaths changed to

Bela-Bela, a Sesotho word for hot spring.

Names Given to New Geographical Entities

As indicated above, several new municipal and mega-city boundaries have

been created. The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality covers cities

such as Pretoria, Centurion, Temba, and Hammanskraal. The Nelson

Mandela Metropole covers the East London/Port Elizabeth area.

Changes to Airport Names in South Africa

The names of all South African airports were changed from politician's

names to simply the city or town they're located in. Johannesburg

International has been changed after Oliver Reginald Tambo (ORT).

Colloquial City Names in South Africa

For example Cape Town is known as eKapa. Johannesburg is called eGoli,

literally meaning "the place of gold".

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Claims to fame

Contributing reasons for places to be well known or famous maybe

contributed to the following:

MGTMGT

Its unique geographical location (e.g. Cape L’Agulhas claim to fame

is that it occupies the most southern point of South Africa and the

continent.) MGTMGT

Known for a prominent landmark e.g. Cape Town (Table Mountain) MGTMGT

Known for a historical event or disaster that took place (e.g. the

Laingsburg flood or Tulbach earthquake, 1976 Soweto uprising). MGTMGT

Association with a famous / infamous person who was born there,

stayed and worked in the place or are still living there, or

participated in a specific event in the area. (e.g. Groutville in

Kwazulu-Natal was home to Nobel Peace Price winner, Chief Albert

Luthuli and today hosts the Luthuli museum).

Famous - widely known and esteemed; "a famous actor"; "a

celebrated musician"; "a famed scientist"; "an illustrious judge"; "a

notable historian"; "a renowned painter", etc. (Infamous - Having an

exceedingly bad reputation; notorious. (www.thefreedictionary.com

viewed on 27 April 2011).

Demographics

Demographics or demographic data are the characteristics of a human

population. Commonly used demographics include gender, race, age,

income, language, disabilities, literacy, employment status, etc.

Demographic trends describe the changes in demographics in a

population over time (for example, the average age of a population

may increase or decrease over time). he above are presented as

statistics and you will learn more about it in Mod 14.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics viewed on 4 December

2010. T

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Geographical location

This is a position or point in physical space that something occupies on

the Earth's surface. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_(geography)

viewed on 23 June 2010).

• An absolute location is designated using a specific pairing of latitude

and longitude, GPS co-ordinates or a Cartesian coordinate grid.

(See Module 10.2 Maps).

• A relative location is the location of a place or area in relation to

another site, i.e. "Pretoria lies approximately 40km northeast of

Johannesburg”.

- Neighbouring provinces and countries,

- Oceans

- Border defined by rivers / mountains

Elevation above sea level

Elevation is the vertical distance between a standard reference point, such

as sea level, and the top of an object or point on the Earth, such as a

mountain. At 8,850 m

(29,028 ft), the summit of

Mount Everest is the

highest elevation on Earth.

(www.thefreedictionary.com viewed on 10 June 2010).

Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of

the Earth's surface is covered with water

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Topography

Topography describes the land forms (mountains, valleys, plains) or

surface features of a region.

Topography of South Africa

The landscape is dominated by a

high interior plateau, rising

abruptly to form a series of

mountain ranges known as the

Great Escarpment, before

dropping to a narrow strip of

coastal lowlands.

An upside down saucer can be

used to illustrate the above.

Nature and conservation

MGTMGT

Major natural features (topography) and scenery. MGTMGT

General climatic conditions that prevail. MGTMGT

Natural Tourism Resources

- Biomes

- Dominant natural vegetation

- Alien plant and animal species

- Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects that occur here (indicate the

ones frequently spotted).

Prominent geographical landmarks

Prominent geographical landmarks refer to natural features e.g. Tafelberg

in Cape Town and Three Sisters on the Panorama route in Mpumalanga.

Economy

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The economic activities within a town, city, region or province may

include agriculture, hunting, horticulture, fishing, mining, industries

(heavy, light and home), financial institutions, etc. It also includes

aspects such as employment and average income.

The Gross domestic product (GDP)

“The total value of all final goods and services produced within the

boundaries of a country in a particular period (current production)”

(Reserve bank Education).

Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)

A sub-national gross domestic product is for measuring the size of that

region's economy.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_regional_domestic_product viewed

on 12 June 2010).

Infrastructure

The fundamental facilities and systems serving the areas such as

MGTMGT

Transportation (roads, taxis, busses, airports, railway stations,

coaches and ports) MGTMGT

Communication systems MGTMGT

Power plants (electricity supply) MGTMGT

Schools MGTMGT

Health and emergency services

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infrastructure viewed on 4

April 2010).

Education Universities, schools and universities of technology

(formerly technikons), colleges and distance education

(UNISA, Damelin, Intec)

Health

care

Hospitals (private and provincial), clinics (private and local

government)

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Sport

MGTMGT

Popular sports MGTMGT

Provincial / other important sports teams (soccer, rugby, cricket,

tennis etc.) MGTMGT

Famous sport stars that emerged from the province. MGTMGT

Important sport venues, for example stadiums.

Routes

The Guide should know the national roads (indicated with an (‘N’), other

major roads (‘R’) and metropolitan (‘M’) roads that provide access to the

above mentioned places. We have already discussed themed routes /

tourism routes but the guide should also takes note of other routes that

offer scenic viewing or interesting attractions along the way.

WORKBOOK

ACTIVITY

QUIZ 7.1.1: Provincial Overview

WORKPLACE

TASK

TASK 13: Provincial Overview Template

Resources and further reading

http://africanhistory.about.com/od/apartheidlaws/g/No26of70.htm

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_region viewed on 5 December 2010.

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http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2006/06042815451007.htm viewed on

15 October

2010 (Status Report on Cross Border Protocols, 25 April 2006).

http://www.lhr.org.za/news/2008/state-review-decisions-cross-border-

municipalities-business-day viewed on 9 June 2010. (Business Day -

State to review decisions on cross-border municipalities; Sibongakonke

Shoba - Staff Writer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Township_(South_Africa) viewed on 23 June

2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Geographical_Names_Council

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanty_town#cite_note-0 view 23 June

2010).

http://www.africanaencyclopedia.com/apartheid/apartheid.html viewed

on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_South_Africa viewed on 5

December 2010.

http://africanhistory.about.com/cs/southafrica/a/sa_new_name.htm

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_regional_domestic_product viewed on

12 June 2010.

http://www.southafrica.info/about/geography/provinces.htm viewed on 5

February 2010.

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http://africanhistory.about.com/od/apartheidlaws/g/No26of70.htm

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://www.africanaencyclopedia.com/apartheid/apartheid.html viewed

on 5 December 2010.

http://www.demarcation.org.za/new_site/pages/default_new.html viewed

on 5 December 2010.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_municipality_(South_Africa) viewed on

5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_South_Africa viewed on 5

December 2010.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infrastructure viewed on 4 April

2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Geographical_Names_Council

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_area viewed on 23 June 2010.

http://africanhistory.about.com/cs/southafrica/a/sa_new_name.htm

viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_region viewed on 5 December 2010.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/claim+to+fame viewed on 5

December 2010.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics viewed on 4 December 2010.

Statoica

http://www.statoids.com/uza.html. New Names in South Africa - A look at

the towns and geographical names that have changed in South Africa. By

Alistair Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide