Welcorne to
Rover.
OpenAfrica
ftPENAFRICAis a regular supplement to the
l)Weeklg Mo:il 8t, Guardion It looks at how
nature tourism lends itself to economic growth
and rural development on the subcontinent.
The publication is made possible through the
support of Engen, which shares the ideal that
tourism can provide ways of redistributing
wealth among the people of the region.
The journal was the idea of the Open Africa
Initiative, which champions community
involvement in tourism and the sound use of
Africa's natural resources.
An advisory giroup provides advice and ideas,
but the final selection of material and urriting is
carried out by the I{M8rG. We take firll respon-
sibiltty for its contents.
The supplement's editorial policy is to pro-
mote constructive debate about effective uses
of tourism in the South African economy and
to ensure that the views of a neglected con-
stituency the rural poor are heard by the
public. - -
Comments, letters and suggestions for edi-
torial content are welcome.
Editor: Eddie Koch
Designr Fiona Macleod
Editorial Group: Noel de Villiers, Michelle
Girardin, Derina Holtshausen, Zeph Nyathi,
Rams Rammutla
IIre Open
Africa Initiative
"Open Africa is a vision proclaimed by
Ovedanders' guide on the beach in a reconditioned Land
"Be aware," says Stem "that apparenfly
lifeless areas are not lifeless at all. The
to the subcorrtinent extensive lichen fields, shifting dunes and
gravel plains of the desert are living,
dlmamic systems and can be damaged by
inconsiderate users. There are tracks in
Damaraland which are over 30 years old
There's also a useful chapter on hcallh and are still visible."
Eddie Koch and safety, which includes basic lirst irid The book has chapters on South Africa,
SOI-.'THERN AFRICA ON A BUDGET: treatments, how to prevent common clis- l,csotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana,
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR THE eases like rnalaria and tick-bite fever. arxl Zinrbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Zam-
ADVENTUROUS TRAVELLER also useful safety advice for women travel- bia, cach crammed with a basic overview
by Jennifer Stern, (Struik, R49,99) ling in countries where men often consider iuxl rrsclirl tips on how to flnd excitement,
celibacy and childlessness to be awful lirn ilrrtl arlventure in mountain trails,
IF youryor'ue decided to quit your job. pack alllictions. Sarrtc pirrks, rivers and hiking trails.
bags and hit the road. then Jen People wilh clisatrilities are catered for 'l'hcn"s kr:rds of detail about transport,
I
Inifer Slem can help. She has jusl pub- with inlbnnatirln trails for the blind and act:o r t lcla t ion, immigration formalities
rr r rr
lished a guide for the backpackingltraveller people who art: conlincrl t.o wheelchairs. anrl wlrirl lo eat, but the guide encourages
in search of adventure in SouthemAfoica. There is also a gtrirk' lo organisations that its reiuk:r's [o improvise and explore by tak-
Stern recognises that motley bunch in arange bungcc Jrrrrrpirrg, s<:uba diving, ing a< lvi r n ta ge of the "travellers' grapevine"
denim jeans, caterpillar boots and bedrag- river-rafLing ar-rcl n r t i. r i r.y uountain hikes
r r I I r for cxlrir irrlbrmaUon.
gled hair styles who stagger around city for disabled advetrt t rt:rs. r
streets with their worlclly belongings on Cyclists, hitchhikcrs i r rr I rrotorcyclists
r r T{aclr corrntrv chapter includes basic
their backs to be trn enlightened and edu- are given special pm<rll<'irl li;ls, and the fi irrlirrrrralion aboul the cosl of Iiving
cated lot. book recognises that nrirrr.y lrirt:kpackers I-Jurrd ir budget plamer with prices of
So she manages to stufla welter of prac- become overland drivers anrl rruruel at all life's essentials. The list starts with beer
tical detail along with some uselul sot:iolog- the space they have in tht'ir rrcw mobile and ends with more discretionary items
ical and ecological insights about nine home. like pony trekking or white water rafting.
countries on the subcontinent into a "But within a short tinrc il bccomes There is also a usefrrl Iist of phrases in the
remarkably succinct 350-pager. Iilled with all kinds of things ... sparcs and most common language of each country.
The book ofiers a general introduction to tools ... a mound of dirty clothcs, new Stern's is a well-timed book because
lhe region, with up-to-date information travelling companions and huge carv- adventure travel is just taking off as a
about ils r:limate, topography, history and ings." Advice is provided on how l.o avoid major growth segment in the tourism
polil.ics, which provides some basic details this syndrome. trade. It's politically correct, environmen-
about South AIiir:a's transition to democ- There's an environmental section which tally sensitive and gender balanced. But
racy and tJle movements which have taken tells how not to damage rock art or cause none of this gets in ttre way of its basic aim:
countries like Zambi4 and Malawi in the unnecessary erosion in fragile mountain to allow people to go out there and enjoy
same direction 1 areas or squash turtles eggs when driving themselves.
Living in SouthAfrica-the movie
Resource Unit on (011) 838-4280/ I 12 fax For further information, contact AIC
(011) 838-4451 or write to PO Box 11065, Conferences on (011) 463-2802 orfax (011)
Making Tlacks Johannesburg2O00. 463-6903.
Micbelle Nel
Afrotourism pow-wow New Wits diploma course
violence we do to each other is I TO capitalise on investment opportuni- I COMMUNITY ecotourism projects cor-rld
t'L'-fr18
'."fl""led
I in the violence we do to ties (and assess the future potential of the well beneflt from the Certificate in the Man-
I nr. world. Lo our beaulilul land. gambling industry) you should not miss agement and Administration of Non-profit
The environment cannot be divorced llom the two-dayAfrotouflsm'9SConference, to and Community-based Organisations
political or social issues," says fllm maker be held on May 15 and 16 at the Karos
Mark Newman. director of a new environ- Arthur's Seat I{otel in Cape Town.
course offered in association with the Uni-
versi[r of the Witwatersrand.
mental video called Liuing in South ffica. Conference highlights are cited as "an The teaching melhods emphasise partici-
The Iilm has a number of points of focus: operfng address by the current Minister of patory leaming. Case sfudies, role playing,