The new national tourism and travel awards programme resulting from the merging of the AA Accommodation Awards and the Imvelo Awards [for Responsible Tourism] is backed nationally by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Grading Council of SA [TGCSA]; and locally by the Gauteng Tourism Authority [GTA]. The name Lilizela indicates immediately some of the values underpinning this initiative. Lilizela refers to the practice of ululating when somebody has done well – ie it is a specifically local and South African way of recognizing achievement.
The speeches at the gala function at the Gold Reef City Convention Centre on Tuesday 5th September, which saw attendees dressed to the nines with a ‘touch of red’, all expanded in various ways on the importance of the local. So, for example, in introducing the membership of the signature collection of Gauteng’s premier tourist attractions, the underlying message was to encourage South Africans to become tourists in their own towns, cities and country. Other messages recalled the discourse of the 1990s – emphasizing the powerful role of heritage in nation-building as well asforegrounding the idea of reconciliation and inclusiveness. Sites celebrating divergent ideologies and histories were framed as being equally important within this rhetoric of nation building and reconciliation. Somewhat alarmingly, speakers went to great pains to stress that both Constitution Hill and the Voortrekker Monument are equally important and relevant in ‘telling our story.’ [The notion of re-interpretation of problematic monuments was not addressed.] Another alarming leit-motif underpinning most of the speeches was the adulation of China and the praise heaped on this country for the way in which it has glorified its history and has used its monuments and attractions to create national pride.
Liz and Catherine at the Lilizela Awards
Part of the hype of the evening was to establish a Signature Collection of Gauteng’s premier tourist attractions. Many of the members of this signature collection (as identified by the GTA) were to be expected - The Cradle of Humankind; Freedom Park; Lilliesleaf; the Hector Pieterson Museum; Constitution Hill; Dinokeng. But it was especially good to see recognition of the private sector’s role in regenerating interest in Joburg as a leisure and tourist city. So the products of institutions and individuals like The Market Theatre; Joburg Places (Gerald Garner); Lebo’s Back Packers and Soweto Cycle Tours; Past Experiences (Jo Buitendach) ; Maboneng Precinct (Jonathan Liebmann); the property development and urban regeneration company Play Braamfontein; City Sight Seeing – Joburg’s Red City Bus; Wits Art Museum; and Origins Centre, were all identified as members of Gauteng’s ‘signature collection.’ For more on Joburg walking tours see http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=4249 And for more on what to do in Braamfontein on a Friday evening see Laurice Taitz’s post
http://todoinjoburg.co.za/2013/08/friday-night-in-braamfontein/
Liz at Lancaster was nominated as a provincial finalist in the 4 star Guesthouse. Congratulations to Three Rivers Lodge and Villa who was the regional winner in this category. And congratulations to the following small accommodation winners:
Hyde Park Villas – 4 star Bed and Breakfast 4 star
Sherewood Lodge – 3 star Guesthouse
Three Rivers Lodge and Villa – 4 star Guesthouse
The Parkwood Guest Lodge – 5 star Guesthouse
Special congratulations to the Parkwood as they are members of our local Rosebank Region Accommodation Association. Well done!
