MBOMBELA – In a strong move to boost local entrepreneurship and inclusive growth, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) hosted a two-day business seminar on May 21 and 22, 2025 at Emnotweni Arena and was concluded with a golf day on May 23. The seminar brought together over 50 participants, including SMMEs, government officials, and sector leaders, to address pressing issues facing Mpumalanga’s tourism and business sector.
Held under the theme “Building Sustainable Businesses for a Thriving Economy in the Tourism Industry in Mpumalanga,” the event tackled key topics such as access to finance, compliance, digital transformation, and sustainability. KLCBT CEO Linda Grimbeek said they were proud to present high-quality speakers and were encouraged by the turnout and enthusiasm shown by local businesses.
The event was also supported by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), whose CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, commended KLCBT for ensuring the safety of tourists on routes to the Kruger National Park. He noted that the area had experienced no major incidents over the past two years, with eight months entirely incident-free, helping build traveller confidence in the province.
Manganese Metal Company (MMC) CEO Louis Nel, who recently spearheaded a R178 million investment in Nelspruit, spoke about the importance of economic growth and job creation, even in sectors outside of tourism, noting their broader impact on the region’s attractiveness for future investment.
During a one-on-one interview with the Highveld Chronicle, renowned political economist Moeletsi Mbeki who was also a speaker at the event offered sharp criticism of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). “BEE has failed. It was supposed to empower the majority, but instead it created a small black elite,” he said.
Mbeki, who also serves as Executive Chairperson of Pomegranate Media, added, “It hasn’t changed the lives of most black South Africans since its adoption in 2005. The policy has mainly benefited politically connected individuals.”
He pointed the finger at the ruling party: “The problem is the ANC. Once it got into power, it stopped being a party for the masses and reverted to representing the African middle class. BEE is a clear example—only a small group in the ANC benefits.”
Tourism leader Oupa Pilane encouraged tourism business owners to lure visitors outside the Kruger Park. “Over 80% of international tourists never leave the park. We need to ensure they spend money in surrounding towns too,” he said. Pilane also highlighted inefficiencies within government as a key barrier to tourism development in Mpumalanga.
The seminar concluded with a local business showcase, fostering valuable connections and collaboration among attendees. It marked a clear step forward in Mpumalanga’s drive to build resilient, inclusive, and thriving local enterprises. The event concluded with a panel discussion focused on the impact of corruption on the country and the need for businesses to reject any involvement in corrupt activities. Panellists included Advocate Stefanie Fick (OUTA Director), KLCBT CEO Linda Grimbeek, and scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of North-West University, Dr Theuns Eloff.
