By Wandile Sihlobo
Having spent the first week of August 2024 in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape amongst farmers, attending meetings, and interacting with market agents, it would be fair to say this region is one of the most in need of agritourism promotion. The region has something to offer – great cuisines, landscapes, and history.
However, agritourism would also be a lifeline for some regions that previously relied on railway activities. There is now reduced economic activity. Thus, unemployment is rife, leaving some towns exposed to potential instability.
In the case of farmers, they do their part and create employment in their regions. Therefore, proper marketing of the unique and premium Karoo Lamb that most produce would bring the much-needed revenue, which would be reinvested in the farms, and ultimately, increased economic activity in the regions and job creation.
The marketing of the Karoo Lamb requires societal support and is viewed as South African heritage food. This means that as we shop at our various retailers across South Africa, we must ask the store managers about the Karoo Lamb, great South African wines, fruits, and our other high-quality regional foods.
The restaurants should also do their part and stop marketing any lamb, such as the Karoo, when they haven't bought it from a certified abattoir or supplier.
Municipalities, particularly in the province of the Northern Cape side of the Karoo region, must do their part in beautifying towns, keeping them clean, and fixing municipal refuse dumps. Investing in proper recycling efforts will assist in creating valuable income for the poor and job opportunities for the locals. Importantly, when people drive across the country and notice the cleanliness, beauty and care given to these towns, they may stop, spend money or even think of investing in such towns.
The provincial government also has a vital role in improving the road networks and ensuring that municipalities are functioning effectively. This is vital in ensuring the success of tourism in the province. The issue of crime also needs a constant eye to ensure the safety of these towns. When towns are carefully maintained clean, roads are constantly fixed, and crime is low, economic activity will recover over time.