Exploring the role of Msinsi Holdings SOC Limited for community upliftment through tourism.

Abstract

Local community members are a very important stakeholder in rural tourism because they possesses key knowledge about the area they reside in. This is knowledge which can be key in the decisions taken during community development projects. Tourism is one of the biggest sectors which contributes to employment and the economy as a whole. This study explores the role of Msinsi Holdings SOC Limited (Msinsi), a state owned company located in KwaZulu- Natal, Hillcrest in uplifting the lives of communities situated within its operational areas, using tourism. Msinsi has five operational sites which have tourism functions, namely Albert Falls Dam, Bon Accorde Resort (both in Pietermaritzburg), Inanda Dam (Inanda), Nagle Dam (Cato Ridge) and Hazelmere Dam (Verulam) which are all situated in KwaZulu-Natal. These five Msinsi areas of operation, will be the focus of the study. The study was prompted by the fact that there are heritage sites and other tourist attractions in the communities where Msinsi operates, which Msinsi can use in collaboration with the community and other relevant stakeholders to boost their living conditions and the economy for those communities by providing income-generating opportunities. The study was conducted using an exploratory qualitative research approach and the respondents were selected using convenience sampling. The data was collected through indepth interviews and analysed using thematic analysis resulting in the identification of themes and patterns which were present in the data. The findings of the study reveal that there is a potential for Msinsi to play a bigger role in community upliftment using tourism. While Msinsi employs from the community, the jobs are usually of a temporary or contract basis, rather than permanent. Msinsi is also involved in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives which are mostly aimed at local schools. The study revealed that Msinsi is not involved in any CSI projects relating to the aged and disabled members of the community. The study further revealed that Msinsi does not collaborate with local businesses and that Msinsi has not fully explored the tourism products and services that are available within its areas of operation to be able to come up with initiatives that will make those products and services work for the community. In particular, Msinsi needs to review its community employment practices, partners and stakeholders, CSI Policy, the products and services available in its operational areas, to determine how these can be better used to unleash more benefits that will flow to the community and contribute to its development.