“Africans must tell their own stories to the world, since they are the right people to do so,” Madam Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Convention Bureau Officer of South Africa has said.
“Africans must tell their own stories to the world, since they are the right people to do so,” Madam Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the Chief Convention Bureau Officer of South Africa has said.
Addressing a gathering at the Media launch of Afica’s Travel Indaba at the plant venue Co.in Durban, South Africa recently, Madam Kotze-Nhlapo intimated that the continent could no longer rely on people from outside Africa for affirmation or inspiration.
Africans must own their narrative so that they can change the continent’s story,
This year’s event is schedule to take place in Durban, South Africa from May 2-4, 2019.
“We no longer look to the world for affirmation or inspiration, the world rather looks to up. We are real, vibrant and driven to succeed. So, we invite the world to journey with us and tell the new story of Africa,” she emphasised.
The essence of the media launch was to tell the world that Africa had travelled a long way from dependence, now to a progressive and united continent in the area of tourism.
Kotze-Nhlapo added that the responsibility of safeguarding Africa’s narrative was not only up to its storytellers but all Africans.
“In this post-truth world, it is up to each of us to be vigilant about the way Africa is depicted. We can be the watchdogs of misrepresented stories and best of all, we have the digital tools to keep the narrative truthful,” she said.
The event on the theme “Africa’s story, your success” provided the opportunity for two of South African Tourism’s Hidden Gems, Jotham’s Place and Discover Durban Tours and Transfers, to tell their success stories.
Other speakers included Acting Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, SizaSibanda and Councillor at eThekwini Municipality, Sipho Kaunda.
Madam Amanda said social media gaves everyone the power to engage with the media, influencers and other prominent individuals so that “we can change the narrative together and basically set the story straight”.
Her insights were backed up by South African storyteller, Victor Kgomoeswana, whose presentation ignited what is the new African narrative.
“The greatest story for us to tell is our own; the most effective way to tell it is the African way – because the centre of the universe, literally and figuratively, is in Africa,” he said.
