16/09/2024
A SOUTH AFRICAN IN IRELAND: TOURISM INSIGHTS
Nkosiphendule Ngcoza, a charismatic and driven native of Makhanda, South Africa, is currently pursuing his MBA in the bustling city of Dublin, Ireland. With a heart for development and a mind for opportunity, he sees his hometown as more than just a quiet city. "Makhanda is a hub where you can find everything," he says, with a twinkle of nostalgia. "You don’t realize how special it is until you leave. We’ve got world-class education, a vibrant local economy, and even private game reserves right on our doorstep."
But it wasn't just his academic pursuits that led Nkosiphendule across the world—it was his love for Makhanda’s hidden potential. His thesis on tourism was inspired by early experiences at the iconic National Arts Festival (NAF), where, as a wide-eyed 13-year-old, he took up his first gig as a car guard. “I made more money than I ever expected," he recalls with a laugh. "It wasn’t just about the cash, though—it opened my eyes to how big the tourism industry is."
Nkosiphendule describes himself as a "delusional optimist," someone who looks at the half-empty cup and believes he can fill it. "I love when things don’t make sense because there’s always a reason behind them, even if we don’t see it yet."
Now living in Ireland, Nkosiphendule finds the cold, vibrant city of Dublin full of opportunities, but his heart still longs for the energy and spirit of Makhanda. "Ireland made me realize how much more we could achieve at home if our systems worked. It’s bittersweet, but it also makes me appreciate just how happy and resilient South Africans really are."
Let’s dive into Nkosiphendule’s thoughts on tourism, life abroad, and his unwavering hope for his beloved Makhanda in this engaging Q&A:
1. What is a young South African all the way from Makhanda doing an MBA in Ireland?
I was born and raised in Makhanda, where I completed my primary, secondary, and tertiary education. I even worked in local government and was involved in community engagement during my university years, serving in the Student Representative Council (SRC). Currently, I’m in Dublin, pursuing my passion for development. Makhanda is a place where you can find all economic sectors in one small hub—education, local businesses, private game reserves, and churches. You don’t appreciate it fully until you’ve left.
2. What motivated you to write your thesis on tourism?
My thesis stems from my personal experience in Makhanda. At 13, I worked as a car guard during the National Arts Festival (NAF), just to make some extra money. Later, at 16, I worked as a waiter during the same festival. It was then that I started understanding the tourism industry’s inner workings. I was fascinated by how the festival was more than just shows and performances—it was an entire ecosystem. This early exposure is why I chose to research tourism, looking at how we can ask the right questions and see the industry from different angles.
3. You describe yourself as a "delusional optimist"—what do you mean by that?
(Laughs) Yes, I do call myself that! It’s because I see the glass as half-empty, but I also believe we can fill it up. It’s about looking at every situation and flipping it to find the opportunity. Some might call it faith, but I just believe that as long as we’re here, there’s always potential for good, no matter how bad things seem. I enjoy solving problems that don’t seem to have answers, and that’s what keeps me going.
4. How is life in Ireland?
Ireland is cold and different, but exciting—it’s a place full of possibilities where you can become anything. However, it also makes me sad sometimes. The systems here function so well, and I often think, “Why don’t we have this back home?” It’s frustrating because we could have similar structures in Makhanda. But being here also makes me appreciate South Africa even more—our culture, our happiness. Despite our challenges, we’re a joyful nation.
5. Is there a community of South Africans in Ireland, especially from the Eastern Cape?
Yes! There’s a huge community of South Africans here. I arrived during the Rugby World Cup, and it was amazing seeing everyone in their Springbok jerseys, singing "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika," and even playing Mandoza’s music. I’ve met a few people from the Eastern Cape, including someone who also went to Rhodes University. It’s comforting to speak Xhosa and reconnect with fellow South Africans.
6. What do the Irish think of Makhanda?
When I talk about Makhanda, they think of it as a small, quiet countryside town with lots of churches and schools. I explain that it’s more than that—it’s a hub for education and arts, with festivals like the NAF and SciFest. We have a similar colonial history to Ireland, and our architecture even mirrors theirs in some ways. But I always emphasize that there’s so much more to our city beyond the picturesque image they imagine.
7. What are your thoughts on local tourism in Makhanda?
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about tourism in Makhanda. People often associate it only with events like NAF and SciFest, but tourism is much broader. It’s about the movement of people and money that can boost the local economy. We need to start treating tourism as a key driver of economic activities, not just a side arm of the state. There’s huge potential for collaboration across sectors to develop a stronger tourism identity.
8. How can local tourism be maintained in Makhanda?
We need to stop trying to be something we’re not. When we talk about branding our town, we need to clearly define what Makhanda offers—like the Garden Route or the Wild Coast. What is our unique product? Once we know that, we can market it better. Tourism should be a tool for driving change, stimulating the local economy, and helping businesses grow.
9. How can we encourage the youth to study abroad, especially for tourism development?
People have different reasons for wanting to study abroad. For me, it was a long-held dream, although initially for the wrong reasons. I’m grateful it didn’t happen then. Now, my focus is on learning how other people live and how systems operate in different parts of the world. For tourism development, I think it’s crucial to expose young people to global standards and ideas so they can bring those insights back home.
Visit https://bit.ly/3ZJHyBt for more amazing moments around Makana.
