- SANParks reports funding 160 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) through a non-interest loan programme.
- Community tourism operators say poor roads and slow support continue to hinder business growth.
- Entrepreneurs at Africa Travel Indaba emphasise the need for better market access for lasting sustainability.
Tourism may bring millions of international visitors to South Africa every year, but many communities living near national parks wonder how much of that revenue reaches ordinary people.
This concern came up repeatedly at Africa Travel Indaba in Durban, where tourism operators, entrepreneurs, and government officials discussed the opportunities and frustrations impacting community tourism businesses.
For the South African National Parks (SANParks), the solution involves money, mentorship, and increased private sector support. CEO Hapiloe Sello addressed the audience at the Durban International Convention Centre on Wednesday, urging businesses to take a more active role in supporting SMMEs that operate around national parks.
“Up to now, SANParks, as a government entity, has funded 160 SMMEs,” Sello told the journalists at the event. “The fund provides a non-interest loan of up to R1 million. This supports small businesses that have secured work from SANParks and need capital to operate.”
SANParks manages over 20 national parks across the country, many located next to villages where poverty and unemployment run high. For decades, the relationship between parks and people was marked by barriers and exclusion. However, this began to change after 1994.
“In the last 30 years, following 1994, one of our guiding principles has been to connect communities with our national parks and find areas of shared benefit. We’ve learned from our experiences, continue to improve, and keep expanding,” Sello said.
Communities say progress remains slow
As the Indaba concluded on Thursday, the mood among SMMEs was mixed but hopeful. Many entrepreneurs recognised that opportunities had grown significantly compared to 30 years ago, yet they stressed that progress is still slow and uneven, especially in rural areas where tourism infrastructure remains a barrier to business development.
In Limpopo, Ndou Safaris has become a source of local employment. Simon Mafela, who leads the community-owned enterprise near Old Days, shared that the lodge accommodates international guests and employs up to 150 people with various skills when fully operational. He noted that tourism has become one of the few reliable job sources in the area.
“When we are fully operational, we employ up to 150 people with different skills,” Mafela stated. He highlighted that poor infrastructure continues to limit business growth and tourism potential. He pointed to worsening roads, which he believes drive away customers and make it difficult for visitors to access the lodges.
“The pace of progress is very slow. We appreciate the little that is being done, but we are unhappy with how slow it is. For instance, we think the Department of Public Works should get involved because we have lost a lot of business due to the bad roads leading to our lodges, which are inaccessible.”
Mafela believes that proper government support could greatly boost employment opportunities for local communities and strengthen tourism businesses in the region. “With full support, we could create up to 200 jobs.”
Market access remains a challenge
For Lukhanyiso Giba, managing director of Lugi Design Travels, the support systems exist, but they lack follow-through. She said her business relies heavily on relationships with international tour operators and visibility at trade shows, where smaller tourism operators compete for exposure and partnerships.
“Our growth hinges on the relationships we build with international partners, and it is essential for us, the SMMEs, to be consistently visible and present at trade shows to earn the confidence of the trade and open up opportunities,” Giba said.
While she appreciated SANParks' enterprise development initiatives, Giba indicated that many programs lack the long-term continuity needed for smaller businesses to thrive. “The initiatives are in place, but they don’t seem to be systematically thought out to completion.”
Giba explained that her business model is based on community collaboration and partnerships with smaller operators in various regions. She noted that local guides and operators create more authentic tourism experiences while ensuring tourism income circulates more widely within communities.
“As a small business, I work with other small businesses. I consistently seek collaborations within my community in each small town I serve. For instance, in every region, I partner with that region’s local guides or operators to share their stories, enriching my tour packages.”
Without consistent market access and reliable infrastructure, even the strongest community businesses struggle to thrive, the entrepreneurs said.
Tourism is positioned as an economic driver
Opening the Indaba on 12 May 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted tourism as a key part of South Africa’s job and investment strategy. He noted that the tourism sector plays a significant role in creating jobs, fostering regional travel, and driving economic growth across the country.
“Last year, South Africa welcomed 10.5 million international visitors, a clear sign that the world is rediscovering our country with renewed enthusiasm,” Ramaphosa stated. “It's noteworthy that three-quarters of international arrivals come from the SADC region.”
Ramaphosa described tourism as a top economic driver crucial for creating jobs, attracting investment, and promoting inclusive economic development.
Paul Mpye, senior manager for Enterprise and Supplier Development at SANParks, explained that the organisation is working to shift its approach from mere compliance to genuine business development. He noted that SANParks wants businesses surrounding national parks to become sustainable long-term enterprises that can operate independently.
“We direct our resources towards developing them and ensuring they have relevant business skills. Our focus is on communities surrounding our national parks,” Mpye said.
Mpye added that SANParks' Vision 2040 strategy encourages development beyond park boundaries and into surrounding communities. “We have adopted Vision 2040, expanding our focus beyond the national parks' fences to develop our SMMEs,” he noted.
The non-interest loan program is one part of that strategy, while the other is market access. By giving SMMEs contracts to supply goods and services within parks, SANParks provides them with a reliable first customer. The loan helps them fulfil that contract without falling into debt, Sello concluded.
SANParks also mentioned that this model has created jobs in Limpopo, fostered cultural tourism in the Eastern Cape, and developed craft and guiding enterprises in Mpumalanga.
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