Premier Ramathuba activates Sekhukhune Tourism Thursday Campaign
Tafelkop
The Sekhukhune Development Agency (SDA) together with Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), have kicks-started the Sekhukhune Tourism Thursday Campaign to promote the upcoming Annual Yellow Arum Lily Festival, which is set to take place on 30 November 2024.
The campaign was activated by Limpopo Premier Dr Phopi Ramathuba on the side-lines of the opening of the House of Traditional Leaders on Thursday 12 September 2024 in Tafelkop Village, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM).
The Yellow Arum Lily Festival is organized in collaboration with Sekhukhune Community Television Initiative (SKTV) and draws stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, municipalities and tourism associations.
The edition of the Yellow Arum Lily Festival, also known as ‘Bapedi Ancestral Flower’, is usually graced by the presence of esteemed guests such as the MEC of LEDET and LTA dignitaries among others.
With a focus on promoting and celebrating the endangered Yellow Arum Lily, the festival highlighted the rich biodiversity of the Leolo Mountains ranges and the rocky areas of Roossenekal in Elias Motsoaledi.
SKTV Project Driver, Puleng Mmotla, said the chose to activate Tourism Thursday Campaign to popularize the Yellow Arum Lily Festival and bring it to public spotlight.
“Every Thursday, political principals are urged to bring out the messages that promote tourism in the district, mainly, the Yellow Arum Lily. We are happy to also collaborate with the premier in the campaign as she also included the Tourism Thursday Campaign during her speech,” he said.
Mmotla said SDA together with LTA have agreed to optimise the use of the campaign by unlocking publicity machinery towards the Yellow Arum Lily Festival.
“The SDA presented the premier with a gift of a canvass painting of the Yellow Arum Lily which is the Bapedi ancestral flower that celebrates the biodiversity of Sekhukhune and also promotes eco-tourism,” Mmotla said.
Throughout the festival, attendees are treated to a diverse array of activities, including traditional dances, guided tours and a lively music concert featuring acclaimed artists like Pleasure Tša Manyalo and local talent Chris Venter.
However, one of the standout attractions becomes the open marketplace where local entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to showcase and sell their crafts to a captive audience of approximately 2000 people.
The products includes intricately woven textiles to exquisitely crafted pottery, which are on display representing the ingenuity and skill of the local artists.
The small-scale business participants make the most of this platform to engage with potential customers, share their stories and generate sales, contributing to the economic growth of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality and notably, Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM).
Reflecting on the success of the festival, LTA CEO, Moses Ngobeni, expressed optimism about its future potential. “Our wish is to see the festival grow even bigger to benefit the adjacent communities and boost the economy of the district,” he remarked.
“With continued collaboration with key stakeholders in Sekhukhune, we are confident that the Yellow Arum Lily Festival will become a flagship event on the provincial calendar, drawing visitors from far and wide,” he said. Ngobeni indicated that festivals like the Yellow Arum Lily event serves as a vibrant showcase of the region’s cultural heritage and natural beauty.
“For entrepreneurs, it is a golden opportunity to shine and make their mark on the marketplace, leaving a lasting impression on all who are willing to attend,” he said.
