Matatiele: Nestled at the foot of the majestic Southern Drakensberg mountains, the small town of Matatiele is telling a powerful story of how tourism is transforming lives. It is a story about how a community can build its own future from grassroots efforts to the towering heights.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mehloding Trust co-ordinator, Tsepo Lesholu, highlighted the profound impact of tourism on the lives of the people of Matatiele, as South Africa commemorates Tourism Month in September. The Trust emerged from a vision in the 1990s where a united community collaborated on communal land to generate local employment opportunities.
The initiative has evolved into one of the Eastern Cape town’s flagship tourism offerings, featuring a hiking trail, chalets, and a guest house situated on the Southern end of the Drakensberg. It has created 17 jobs, with a focus on stimulating the local economy and creating value for the people of Matatiele. The transition towards tourism was greatly supp
orted by traditional leaders and local communities in the villages.
The Mehloding initiative exemplifies a community-driven development model, providing employment from the construction phase to operational roles, with locals working as cleaners, hostesses, and tour guides. Even the materials for the guest house, along with food and other supplies, are sourced locally.
From its inception, the initiative emphasized the involvement of local tour guides and storytellers. The name “Mehloding” was chosen collectively, inspired by the fresh water streams encountered during hikes in the mountains, symbolizing “sources of water.”
Mehloding is part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project, a cross-border initiative between South Africa and Lesotho that aims to protect the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains while supporting community development. The region includes several significant sites, such as the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO for its natural beauty and cultural sign
ificance.
Through the tourism initiative, the Trust has also launched a scholarship fund for learners, supporting at least 100 academically promising students since 2010. The fund covers school fees, boarding, uniforms, and other learning materials. These scholarships have enabled students to pursue careers in various fields, contributing to the community’s growth.
Looking to the future, the Trust aims to expand its tourism offerings and deepen the benefits for the local community, striving for self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on government funding.
Mehloding has received support from various government levels, including the Department of Tourism, the National Lotteries Commission, and the Matatiele Local Municipality. The municipality has provided Mehloding with office accommodations and supported its annual September Tourism and Heritage Month event, boosting local tourism.
For more information on Mehloding Community Trust and its tourism offerings, contact the trust at 039 737 3289 or email mehlod
[email protected]