A group of 12 young participants recently completed a four-week training programme that has given them the confidence to be tourist guides.
The participants were trained in communication and improvising skills, public speaking, memory abilities, enthusiasm and punctuality. In addition, they were trained to have a ‘keen sense of direction’ which is an important trait for any tour guide.
Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management presented a Certificate of Attendance, that was prepared by the SETA accredited training provider, to the group of young participants at a hand-over ceremony.
‘Capacity building is one of the critical interventions towards economic growth and development and our aim was to equip unemployed youth with the necessary skills to make them employable in the growing tourism sector. The high rate of youth unemployment is of concern, we ,therefore, need to do all we can to assist our young people to become more employable,’ said Alderman Twigg.
This intervention, led by the Urban Management’s Economic Development Department, was aimed at improving opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.
‘Cape Town receives millions of domestic and international visitors especially, during the peak tourism season. We need tourist guides to be ready to welcome visitors to our shores and take them into our communities, to experience local tourism offerings at their best,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg.
The group that completed their training will be out and about in areas such as the Bo-Kaap, Gugulethu, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, Fish Hoek and the Cape Town central business district.
‘The participants who completed this training will now be able to conduct tours on selected sites and provide an overview of South Africa and its rich history,’ added Alderman Twigg.
Ms Nonpumelelo Kangelani, a certified tour guide shared some of her experiences with the participants. She provided valuable advice on being a tour guide in Cape Town. Her motivation to them was to have a positive attitude and seize the opportunities presented to them.