Dundee Tourism

18/10/2024

21/08/2024

TOURISM - Our Heartbeat
"Do you still think that your business has got nothing to do with Tourism, and that Tourism does nothing for you?" There are many ways in which a community, an individual or a destination can benefit from Tourism. Tourism Creates Jobs. Tourism income has a multiplier effect as the Tourism Rand passes from person to person. Tourism helps to uplift communities via investors, which in turn leads to growth. Infrastructural services are developed; all of this provides work and wages. Tourism distributes wealth through the money that Tourists spend, tourism spreads wealth between urban and rural regions.

26/07/2024

Our Dundee Tourism office.
Our office is opened on Weekdays from 9am - 3pm . Our office number is 0711757399 which can also be used to send a Whatsapp. Should you want to enquire about information about our Town, the different battlefields or enquire about Tours & Accommodation, please don't hesitate to contact our office. Please do pop in for a chat and unlock your minds to historical facts and breathtaking Scenery.

19/07/2024

Dundee July Vibes

18/07/2024

Dundee July

03/04/2024

Dundee.
Some sites are geared for self-guiding. However, to really benefit and enjoy what Dundee and Northern KwaZulu Natal have to offer , book a guided tour and let qualified guides share their knowledge, insights and experience with you.
Enjoy their wealth knowledge , experience and story-telling which will bring the narration of the battles to life. This will enhance your experience as you hear local tales and get to know and understand the countryside you are experiencing.
Come and experience our beautiful country, our unique and varied military history and aspects of Zulu culture that haven't changed much over the past century.
As you travel around with us, you will discover interesting cameos of a land rich in history, traditional culture and a quality of friendship that you never expected.
For more information on Awesome guides , please check them out on our website under Find a Guide www.tourdundee.co.za

29/01/2024

Another day, another demise. Somewhat fatalistically, the end result of an iSandlwana re-enactment is always exactly the same for us Red Coats. But this year, it was indeed a case of "the more things change, the more they stay the same". The date, which was cast in stone for 20 January, was changed at the last minute, for whatever reason, until 27 January. Which meant that any potential tourism marketing flew out of the window.
We had another wrinkle, too. There has been a prolonged battle amongst the Zulu Royal household as to whom would succeed the late King Goodwill Zwelethini. Not surprisingly - apart from anything else it is an extremely well-paid job. So the new King, Misuzulu, was eventually installed by the President last year, having survived alleged attempts on his life, only to have a rival claimant take the matter to the Pretoria High Court and have the decision overturned on the grounds that the selection procedure was not undertaken properly according to customary law. So, legally, this year we had no King, but that didn't stop the Zulus, who basically told the High Court to bu**er off and so the King for-a-day arrived, a fashionable 4 hours late, to a tumultuous welcome from thousands of frenzied subjects.
Ever since we started in 1999, we have always had problems fighting Government inertia and lack of funding, in particular for ammunition as one round now costs over R 12 apiece. This year the inconceivable happened - lots of money, lots of enthusiasm and the powers-that-be really went to town. The organization was great and the producers must be congratulated. Another difference was that us Red Coats are now 25 years older than when we started, so we're getting a little thin on the ground. The Zulus, on the other hand, are becoming more and more enthusiastic and this time an extra couple of hundred more warriors than before turned up. So the future of the event is assured if us Red Coats can hold on.
As usual, the day was hot. Stinking hot, if fact. Hanging around for 4 hours past starting time was therefore spent sweating profusely and having our photographs taken with just about everyone in the audience. Kevin Smith took many, many photos, and I hope that none of them, mainly showing me and Manfred Duval posing with semi-naked maidens, end up on Facebook. I'm sure that my wife will have something to say.
The re-enactment itself was much better than usual. We managed to slow the Zulus down so that they could strut their stuff a little more. They did stay true to form, however, by sneaking up on us from behind the grandstand and taking us by surprise. Vince Nixon had organized a small (very small) bore cannon which greatly added to the effect with Sean Friend stuffing fire-crackers down the barrel and Louis Eksteen having to repair the blown-out breech with one hand and waving a very nice 1822 pattern sword in the other.
Then onto lunch, which we didn't wait for, and general festivities, while we departed ignominiously from the field and made arrangements for our usual resurrection the following day.

By: Pat Rundgren

19/12/2023

Good Day all Facebookers .
The Tourism office will be closed from the 20/12/23 and will open on the 09/01/24. For enquiries you can call the office phone on 0711757399 or drop a WhatsApp on that number. May you all have an awesome Christmas and a great New Year.

19/12/2023

Sponsors and donors to the Maria Ratschitz collection

On behalf of Dundee Tourism I would like to thank you for your support of this project which we initiated last year.
Your support made it possible to take a large quantity of second hand clothes, toys, food, vegetable seedlings for their community garden and individual Christmas parcels for some of the orphan children.

This year most of the community carers were present to help unload the vehicles and to thank us for the donations.
Elderly patients in the hospice were brought out onto the verandahs to share in the excitement.

Sister Collette was extremely grateful for the assistance and support in her thanks to all the donors.

Just to give you some idea of the items and the grateful recipients here are some of the photos from the delivery last Thursday.

With regards

Pam McFadden

10/11/2023

Did you Know?
John Dunn D The White Chief of Zululand.
No other person embodied the turbulent times in which they lived more than John Dunn , the legendary hunter, trader and white chief of Zululand whose activities spanned three crucial decades in the history of Zululand. Dunn was born of Scottish parents in 1824 and grew up in the rough and ready spirit of early Port Natal ( now Durban) but at the age of 18, he moved with his young bride Catherine into the unexplored territory north of Durban. On one of his hunting trips into Zululand, Dunn met Cetshwayo - the heir apparent to the Zulu kingdom- and was invited to settle in Zululand and become the prince's advisor. Dunn agreed to the offer and was made Chief of the fertile coastal area known as Ongoye- stretching from uThukela to the Mhlatuze river in the north - and he increasingly adopted the culture and customs of the Zulu. Against the disapproval of his wife , Dunn married his first wife in 1861. Over the next few decades he ended up taking 48 Zulu wives. He was careful to heed Zulu marriage rituals and customs and paid ilobolo (bridewealth delivered by bridegroom to his in-laws) of between nine and 15 herd of cattle to the fathers of the brides. For breach of rules, several of his wives were banished from his household and two wives found guility of infidelity were sentenced to death and executed in accordance with Zulu War. He is credited with having sired at least 117 children. The close bond between Dunn and Cetshwayo strengthened over the years and Dunn rose to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful chiefs in the Zulu kingdom through his ivory and gun trading. Dunn's own economic well-being depended on a policy of peace with the British colony of Natal but with the inevitability of war, Dunn's influence over Cetshwayo diminished and the King and his advisors came to view his motives with suspicion. Dunn tried to negotiate a position of neutrality for his chiefdom but the British warned him that he would lose everything in a post-war Zululand.

02/11/2023

Tourism on rise of tourist visits in South Africa.
Tourism on the rise as more than 4 million tourists visit South Africa in the first half of 2023.
South Africa’s tourism sector continues to exhibit strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than 4 million tourist arrivals, according to the latest data from Statistics South Africa. This is a significant increase from the 2,3 million tourist arrivals between January and June 2022.

The total number of tourist arrivals to South Africa between January and June 2023 showed a sizable 78.2% surge in the first half of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022.

There has also been a substantial increase across all regions in the same period. Although the current growth demonstrates signs of recovery, we are still operating at 80% of our pre-pandemic capacity. In 2019 South Africa welcomed more than 5 million tourists between January and June.

The Africa region continues to bring the largest share of tourist arrivals to the country. A total of 3 083 583 tourists that arrived in South Africa between January and June 2023 came from the rest of the African continent. This is a 79.9% increase when compared to the same period last year when South Africa welcomed 1 714 501 visitors from this region.
Africa land arrivals increased by a significant 81.6% while Africa air recorded a growth of 44.5% between January to June this year when compared to the same period last year.

We are pleased with the number of visitors that our country continues to receive from the rest of the African continent. This is a testament to the marketing efforts that we have implemented to attract tourists from this region. Africa remains a key source market for us, and we are committed to collaborating as a tourism sector to make sure we welcome visitors from this region and that we cater for their needs and preferences.

Beyond the African continent, South Africa has welcomed more visitors from other regions too. Between January and June 2023, the Australasia region (mainly comprised of Australia and New Zealand) recorded an increase of 141 % with 50 882 visitors coming from this region compared to 21 108 arrivals in the same period last year.

The Asia region almost doubled its figures with a 99.5% growth, from 47 912 to 95 596 visitors.

Europe, the largest source of visitors outside Africa, also experienced solid growth of 66,8.1%, from 356 352 to 594 388 visitors when compared to the same period in 2022.

North America, Central & South America, and the Middle East also demonstrated strong growth trends with rates of 70.6%, 74.4%, and 75.8% respectively.

These robust figures showcase South Africa’s charm and attractiveness as well as the work that we are doing in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination of choice. The substantial increase, particularly from Australasia and Asia, underlines and reflects the global trend towards post-pandemic travel recovery. This is all hugely welcomed because our sector contributes significantly to our country’s economy.

Through various tourism marketing strategies, South Africa continues to invite travelers worldwide to explore our diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife and wide open spaces. These exceptional numbers illustrate South Africa's undeniable allure and the enduring impact it has on travelers.

The latest statistics by Stats SA is evidence that the implementation of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan has gained traction and is contributing to sustained, accelerated economic growth.

We are growing stronger each day and we are determined to pass pre-COVID-19 arrival numbers. South Africa is open for tourism, and we are ready to welcome more tourists from across Africa and the globe to experience our diverse cultures and heritage.

South Africa was recently honored by readers of the UK’s Telegraph Travel publication, with the prestigious title of "Best Country," while its iconic city, Cape Town, claimed the coveted title of "Best City in the World."

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all travelers who chose to explore our country and contributed to the tourism sector’s growth and to our economy. The support of travelers, both domestic and international, has played a crucial role in revitalizing our economy and restoring the vibrancy to our tourism sector. I also wish to thank the tourism private sector across the country for all your hard work to grow our tourism offering, promote South Africa as a must-see destination and for your amazing hospitality in welcoming and hosting our visitors.

19/10/2023

Good Morning Facebook family . It the Talana Live Weekend . Please join us for the Ghost walk on Friday . Whether you believe in ghosts or not or you just want to curb your enthusiasm . Check out the Ghost walk at Talana Museum .

26/09/2023

THE NATIONAL FLAG
The national flag was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr. Fred Brownwell, and was first used on 27 April 1994. The design and colors are a synopsis of principal elements of the country's flag history. Individual Colors , or color combinations represent different meanings for different people and therefore no universal symbolism should be attached to any of the colors. the central design of the flag , beginning at the flagpost in a "V" form and flowing into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within South African society , taking the road ahead in unity.

19/09/2023

Well done to our Tourism Dundee member the Oval BB and Restaurant --- we received this great review from local resident Dillin:

(Please support our local businesses during these tough times!)

I've been to the Oval restaurant in dundee 2 times in the last week Monday night the 18th which was the most amazing, upon taking my girlfriend to the Oval on a standard night out on the 11 of September I had set up with Phili for the 18th as it was my girlfriends birthday, I took Phili the bare necessities late Monday afternoon and left the rest in her capable hands telling her i will be there at 18:30, may I say that when I walked in the table was laid out better than I could ever ask for made, the service at this establishment is absolutely amazing with very little time to wait for your food the service of all the staff was absolutely top shelf, and the food was excellent all round. Thanks to the oval restaurant and our waitress Phili I could give my girlfriend a birthday she well deserves. A truly 5-star experience. Thank you.