The Proudly Dullstroom / Midveld News is spreading its wings to accommodate tourism with all its facets now from the Cape to the Kruger National Park. Having frequented the five major tourism trade fares, e.g. the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the International Trade Fare in Berlin (ITB), the Durban Indaba, the Incentive and Conference and Travel Show (ICT) and the Getaway Show in Kyalami, where the Proudly Dullstroom / Midveld News is on prominent display to those who really matter. The little newspaper has found its way across the country. Suggestions and requests to distribute the news nationally was looked at seriously and we agreed that it will be the way to go – departure and arriving points with stopovers in between have already been established.

The name Proudly Dullstroom / Midveld News gives the impression though, that it is a local newspaper for the town of Dullstroom. At a closer look, however, we do list the entire distribution area below the present logo. We thought a more descriptive name would be “CAPE TO KRUGER TOURISM NEWS”. In this way tourism news, development, travel directives, introduction to the various stopover facilities along the complete route can be published monthly to assist the tourist in planning a carefree and economical trip. At the same time product owners can offer their facilities and attractions, which will entice the visitors to stay or stop over. We hope to create a medium that will serve as an informative travel guide, a travel news reporter as well as an affordable marketing channel including network marketing opportunities, electronic marketing via our web site network links. Proudly Dullstroom / Midveld News provide a collective promotional vehicle for those involved in regional tourism, destination marketing, accommodation, tours, incentives, conferences, transportation and genealogy.

The Africa Link.

Not only has the Proudly Dullstroom / Midveld News crossed the country to the Cape, it has also spread it's wings over Africa all the way to Zanzibar, the island of spices. Exciting new developments await us in this exotic corner of Eastern Africa. Plans are in progress to entice foreign Product Owners to also invest in the “Cape to Kruger” experience. This will enable them to advertise their tourism facilities throughout South Africa .

" Water for Wetlands, Water for Life"

Wetlands are defined as: "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres". Wetlands "may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands". Based on the text of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) (Articles 1.1 and 2.1).

World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on the 2 of February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar , Iran , on 2 February 1971 .

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since this time government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. These activities include seminars, nature walks, festivals, launches of new policies, announcement of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation.

The theme for World Wetlands Day 2004 is water for wetlands — water for life.

World Wetlands Day, 2nd February 2004, celebrates the importance of wetlands as habitat for all forms of life — fish, waterbirds and our everyday life.

A close relationship has always existed between people and birds. The beauty of these feathered creatures inspires us, their sheer variety and abundance dazzles us, their ability to navigate long distances migrating across continents and arriving and departing in tune with the seasons sparks our imagination and enriches our appreciation of the natural world. Wetlands are treasure troves for waterbirds, especially for migratory species which use these habitats as nesting areas and critical stopover sites along their flyways where they stop to rest and feed. The migratory routes of these birds cover wetlands in many countries transcending national borders on a regular basis from the arctic to the southern hemisphere. People and birds depend on wetlands for their survival.

The annual flights of these birds symbolise the continuing importance of these rich ecosystems. Yet estuaries, lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds and other types of natural wetlands are diminishing at an alarming rate around the world. Wetlands are being reclaimed, drained, polluted, or simply turned into sites for development. The loss of nesting and feeding grounds and resting places, coupled with hunting of birds, along the length and breadth of the Asia-Pacific region has proved to be a disaster for migratory waterbirds and has resulted in the decline of many species.

All countries need to become more aware of the importance of conserving wetlands and migratory waterbirds. Long-term commitment and a sense of stewardship is vital for the protection of wetlands and the migratory waterbirds that depend on them if we are to make a difference. Governments and communities must act together as guardians of the wetlands and the myriad species that depend on them.

We need a multi-faceted approach to conservation that covers awareness raising, capacity building and training, research and management, and takes into consideration the needs and aspirations of local people. Over the last five years, under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000, the Governments of Australia and Japan have worked with other governments of the Asia-Pacific region, NGOs including Wetlands International, BirdLife International, World Wide Fund for Nature, the Convention on Wetlands and the Convention of Migratory Species, technical experts and local communities to promote the conservation of waterbirds and wetlands. The initiative is coordinated by Wetlands International. Significant progress has been made across a wide range of actions. Three international networks of sites (for Anatidae, cranes and shorebirds) have been established. These Networks have been built by people for people and sites. Training courses, dissemination of wetland awareness and technical material in many languages, have been undertaken. Regional and national meetings have been organised to share experiences and expertise in such areas as conducting research and managing wetlands. All this has been possible through the active participation and cooperation of the peoples of the region.

The Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005 offers a sound framework for governments, local people, NGOs, the corporate sector, donor agencies and international conventions to continue to work together in a common cause to save wetlands and migratory waterbirds. It offers the opportunity for greater participation to build on a successful programme and to achieve conservation on the ground, and at a national and international level.

(Lydenburg Environmental Centre)

On 2 February each year the world celebrates wetlands day. The theme for this year is, “Wetlands at work for us, from the mountains to the sea”.

But what makes a wetland such a special natural resource?

Wetlands often play a crucial role in flood control. However, loss of flood plains to agriculture and human habitation has reduced this capacity.

Freshwater wetlands hold more than 40% of the world's species and 12% of all animal species.

Wetland biodiversity is a significant reservoir of genes that has considerable economic potential in the pharmaceutical industry and in commercial crop plants such as rice.

Many wetlands are prime locations for tourism. Recreational activities such as fishing, hunting and boating etc. involve millions of people who spend billions of dollars on their activities.

Wetlands offer ideal location for involving the general public and school children in hands-on learning experiences, in an essentially recreational atmosphere, to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Many wetland help recharge underground aquifers that store 97% of the world's unfrozen freshwater.

From the above, we should all realize that wetlands are one of the most important natural resources to be preserved. Curbing of overgrazing, over burning and extensive agricultural activities are definitely on the cards if we want to take care of our wetlands.

Children under 12 are invited to draw pictures relating to the wetlands. The best entrant will win a weekend for a family of four at Sun City (Accommodation only).

The closing date for the competition is 13 February 2004.
Entries received after the closing date will not be considered.
The winner will be announced on our web site and in the next edition of the Midveld News.

Rules:
•  Only children under 12 are allowed to enter.
•  The judges' decision is final.
•  The prize may not be redeemed for cash.
•  Family members of the Midveld News are excluded from entering the competition.

Submit entries to:
The Dullstroom Railway Station
OR
PO Box 171
Dullstroom
1110

Tel: 013 254 0451
E-mail: midveldnews@dullstroom.info

This may well be the news headline in a few years if our attitude towards trees does not change drastically. Trees are our planet's oldest living organisms – the oldest known tree, being a 10500-year-old Huon Pine tree in Tasmania. Trees are also the tallest living organisms, with 112.1 meters recorded for a Redwood in California.

In South Africa only a few, really big trees survived the axe and saw. Among these are the Sagole Baobab with a trunk diameter of 10.47 meters and the King Edward VII Yellowwood near Knysna, reaching a height of 39 meters.

What our trees need to escape extinction is respect from us and a concerted effort by EVERYONE to protect them. If we stop to think what they give us everyday for free, we realize that our very lives depend on them. We should jealously protect our remaining trees and plant as many new ones as we can. If the trees die, so do we.

(African Eye News Service)

MPUMALANGA experienced a boom tourism year in 2003 and had clearly recovered from the negative publicity of 2002, said the province's tourism director, Calvyn Gilfellan, on Thursday.

In 2002, 30 foreign visitors were attacked in the region. Some 928 000 foreigners visited the region that year and more than two million domestic visitors, according to Mpumalanga Tourism Authority statistics. But these numbers are expected to have increased last year, as there was a 3% increase in traffic coming into the region on the N4 highway. "2003 was a good year, compared to the previous year," Gilfellan said. "The province was ranked the fifth most popular destination in South Africa in May last year by South African Tourism's quarterly review. The next month, it leapt to third place and was ranked a hot favourite after Gauteng and the Western Cape ,” he said.

"We saw a substantial decrease in crime against tourists over the past year and we believe this could be attributed to the tourism monitors," said spokesman for the provincial department of safety and security, Ntime Skhosana. He said the crimes that did occur were minor incidents such as bag-snatching, as opposed to rapes and hijackings experienced in previous years.

(Miguel de Sousa)

BUSHMANS Kloof in the Cederberg, Western Cape, has received another international accolade, by being voted as one of the coveted Grand Award Winners for 2004, in the USA 's Andrew Harper's Hideaways Report.

Bushmans Kloof is one of only three winners on the Africa continent, singled out as some of the world's most captivating hotels and resorts.

Andrew Harper is considered one of the world's most noted travel writers and he provides travel recommendations and information for the discerning traveller.

His Hideaways Report is a connoisseur's guide to luxury hideaways and secret places, and his exclusive newsletter has been published monthly since 1979.

According to the Hideaway Report, to be considered for the annual competition, properties must be relatively intimate in size and be located in peaceful and scenically pleasing surroundings.

In July 2003, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve was voted one of the 25 Top Eco Lodges in the world, by leading American travel glossy magazine, 'Travel and Leisure'.

Bushmans Kloof is a member of Relais & Châteaux, and in 2001 was the first game lodge to receive a five-star grading in South Africa.

(Andrea de Wit)

WORLD renowned South African hotelier, Sol Kerzner and chairman of Kerzner International, is donating R20m towards the construction of the Technikon Witwatersrand's (TWR) new School of Tourism and Hospitality in Johannesburg, it was announced last Friday.

Former TWR alumnus, Len Wolman, who is the chairman and ceo of the US-based hospitality company, Waterford Group, has also made a contribution of $1m (R6,8m) toward the school in the hope of encouraging South Africa 's tourism industry to follow suit and support the new project.

At a total cost of R47m, the new school will be built on the Auckland Park Campus of the University of Johannesburg – the merged TWR and Rand Afrikaans University , incorporating the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University .

Sol Kerzner commented: “I've always been a great believer in tourism potential and I'm confident that this new initiative will elevate the Hotel School to university status and place it on par with other international hotel schools.”

Kerzner does not merely intend to make the donation and then step back, since two seats on the school's board will be filled by representatives of Kerzner International.

Former president, Nelson Mandela was a guest of honour at the announcement and offered his support and best wishes, saying: “A country is only as promising as the future of its youth.” He expressed his thanks to both Sol and Butch Kerzner for their contribution to the South African tourism industry.

Professor Connie Mokadi, principal and vice chancellor of TWR highlighted the contribution the current TWR Hotel School had made to South Africa . It has produced alumni such as Arthur Gillis, managing director of the Protea Hotel Group; Ken Forrester, internationally renowned winemaker; Deon Viljoen, new ceo of the Johannesburg Tourism Company; and Len Wolman. Mokadi then thanked the Kerzner's for their donation to the new Hotel School .

The new school will combine its practical training areas with a strong commercial component which includes a selection of public restaurants and a wine cellar. The building will house the SA Chefs Association, the SA Culinary Institute and the Gauteng branch of the Cape Wine Academy. The new School of Tourism and Hospitality will officially open its doors in January 2005.

(Corin Baker)

KRUGER National Park has launched an official investigation into the fire, which destroyed the popular Afsaal picnic spot in the Kruger National Park on November 22.

At around 22h00, one of the supervisors of the facility who lives nearby, saw the fire and investigated, but as flames had already enveloped the two buildings, there was nothing he could do.

He then notified local rangers. Rangers and the concessionaires responded immediately and managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby thatched lapas.

It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen area. The exact cause of the fire will be determined when investigations are completed.

The picnic spot, which was built in the 1980s is a popular gathering area for visitors to the park and is situated between Skukuza, Berg en Dal and Pretoriuskop rest camps. The facility was operated by the Kruger National Park until 2001, when it was transferred to the same concessionaire that operates the Jock Concession.

The estimated cost of reconstruction is around R1,2m. This includes demolishing the old buildings. The new buildings will be completed in mid 2004.

(Corin Baker)

SIX lions arrived at a wildlife sanctuary for safekeeping yesterday (Thursday) after officials of the Department of Finance and Economic Development along with the police's organised crime unit, confiscated them from a privately owned game farm in the Limpopo province.

Warrants to seize, confiscate and remove the lions were issued by a local magistrate.

A spokesperson for the department said that an application for a permit to import, hold and breed the lions in Limpopo province had been declined. Despite this the applicant went ahead and brought the lions into the province from the Free State where he had already established another lion breeding project. The man will be charged for the illegal import, holding and breeding of lions and could face a fine of up to R15 000 per animal.

The lions, a black maned male, two adult females and three cubs have settled down well and will remain at the sanctuary until the legal process will determine their fate.

(African Eye News Service)

AIR travellers have complained that they get lost on the way to Mpumalanga 's international airport because there aren't enough sign boards along the roads.

The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) has been flooded with letters from disgruntlement travellers who missed flights at the peak of the festive rush last year. They say signage was virtually non-existent on the road south from Hoedspruit, or along the N4 toll route, and in the towns of White River and Hazyview.

KMIA management blames the Mbombela Municipality, toll road company Trans African Concessions (TRAC) and Mpumalanga 's Public Works, Roads and Transport Department for the poor signage. "We've been communicating with the relevant bodies, and are waiting for them to make a move," said KMIA's spokeswoman, Mandisa Mashego.

(Miguel de Sousa)

CAPE Town has won the bid to host the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation & Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in March 2010.

The conference, which will attract some 400 delegates from over 40 countries, will run over six days showcasing some of the latest aids to navigation development, as well as focus on related environmental issues and the preservation of historic lighthouses. The conference will also incorporate a three day Aids to Navigation Trade Exhibition.

According to James Collocott, manager of Lighthouse Services for the National Ports Authority of South Africa, this will be the first time, since the IALA was established in 1957, that a conference will be held in Africa . Last year the National Ports Authority successfully hosted the 23rd International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) World Conference, the first time in the IAPH's 24-year history that this prestigious biennial maritime conference was held on African soil. The potential impact of the conference on Cape Town 's economy is in the region of R3,4m, representing approximately 2 400 bed nights in the city, making a positive contribution to the local economy while assisting in creating sustainable job opportunities.

(Miguel de Sousa)

IF South Africa is to fulfil its potential as an international tourism destination - and boost its chances of hosting major events such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup - it has to accelerate the rollout of point of sale (POS) systems which meet global standards.

So says Gerhard Claassen, md of the Crypto Business Unit at JSE-listed secure electronic payments company, Prism Holdings, who maintains that international tourists must know that when they present their EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa)-based smartcards at a retail outlet anywhere in SA, it will be accepted. "At present, SA banks and retailers are stepping up their efforts to meet the mandated Visa and MasterCard deadline for their PIN-handling systems to comply with the global Triple DES (T-DES) algorithm and EMV standard. For example, Prism has supplied over R5m worth of Secure Application Modules (SAMs) to the financial and retail industries over the past eight months. But we still have a long way to go," he says.

" South Africa will significantly boost its chances of hosting larger events if it can give the assurance that its retail and banking industries comply fully with global payments and security requirements," Claassen adds.

According to Claassen, Visa and MasterCard have issued a mandate that all banks upgrade their PIN-handling systems to use the T-DES algorithm. A fixed time frame was provided in order to allow banks sufficient time to upgrade their systems: 2004 for all new hardware and 2010 for all existing POS devices. "But if we want to win the bid for the 2010 Soccer World Cup - or just increase our status as a tourism destination of choice - we can't afford to wait that long. The last thing we need is a tourist's credit card being rejected, or damaged, at a shop in, for example, Sandton City because the POS equipment couldn't deal with EMV requirements," he added.

(Miguel de Sousa)

FOR the first time, the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay will bring the Olympic Flame to Africa and includes all five land masses represented by the Olympic Rings, in line with the theme for the event – “Pass the Flame, Unite the World.” This according to the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa).

Beginning in early June 2004, the Olympic Flame will embark on a 21st-century-style tour that circles the earth. The ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay route includes every city that has hosted the summer Olympic Games, as well as Beijing (the 2008 Games host); Brussels, Belgium; Cairo, Egypt; Cape Town, South Africa; Geneva, Switzerland; Istanbul, Turkey; Kiev, Ukraine; Lausanne, Switzerland; New Delhi, India; New York; Nicosia, Cyprus; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Sofia, Bulgaria. Along with the Games' previous host sites, the select handful of additional cities that includes Cape Town was chosen by Athens 2004 and the International Olympic Committee. The flame generally will travel from city to city by plane. Within each city, the traditional Olympic Torch Relay on foot will be conducted for one day.

“There's no doubt the Olympic Torch Relay will be one of the most important events on Cape Town's calendar in 2004. Our challenge is to ensure the Cape Town Torch Relay delivers maximum exposure both locally and internationally, and - perhaps more importantly - to ensure every resident of Cape Town has the opportunity to witness the event or at the very least feels a sense of ownership towards it,” said Sam Ramsamy, president of Nocsa.

The international journey kicks off on June 4 in Sydney, Australia, and proceeds on a worldwide route that covers, in order, Asia, Africa, South America, North America and, finally, Europe.

Cape Town was one of the cities that lost the 2004 Olympic bid to Athens.

November 2002 Edition