Last week I
was invited to the media launch for East Coast Radio, Trade & Investment
KwaZulu-Natal and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, they have once again joined forces for
Connecting Africa – an initiative aimed at driving African, and South African,
trade and tourism to KwaZulu-Natal.
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| Seen at the launch: Boni Mchunu (ECR), Mxolisi Manyakanyaka (TIKZN), Bongani Mthiyane (Tourism KwaZulu-Natal), Photo by Abhi Indrarajan |
Now in its
fifth year running, the project sees East Coast Radio hosting four radio
stations in Durban, with the aim of helping to scope the economic future of the
Zulu Kingdom by promoting the province to potential investors and tourists in
the continent. This year, representatives from Afro FM (Ethiopia), Phoenix FM
(Zambia) and 99FM (Mozambique) will join East Coast Radio and its sister
station, Jacaranda FM (Gauteng) for an unforgettable experience. The stations
have a combined listenership of more than 10 million.
Speaking at
the launch at the Cargo Hold, uShaka Marine World, East Coast Radio’s General
Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Connecting Africa is an exciting, unique project
that brings together key stakeholders to amplify future business and tourism opportunities
in Africa. The main objective of the project is to create destination KZN awareness
in the respective markets while drawing attention to the rich, cultural fabric
of our beautiful continent. This project harnesses the power of radio to
strategically position KwaZulu-Natal as a premier investment, trade and tourism
destination. East Coast Radio is excited to be at the forefront of this initiative.”
The transcontinental
team will spend nine days travelling between Durban and the Midlands, immersing
themselves in the tourism and trade offerings of the region before sharing
their experiences with their listeners back home when they broadcast live on 2
and 3 May 2016.
The launch
of a direct flight route by SA Express between Lusaka, Zambia and Durban, Ethiopian
Airlines’ offering of direct flights between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Durban,
and SA Airlink’s direct flights between Maputo, Mozambique to Durban, have
opened up a whole new world of travel and trade possibilities. Connecting
Africa taps into this portal and highlights the extensive travel and trade
opportunities available to our neighbours on the continent.
“The main
objective for the Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal’s involvement in the
Connecting Africa 2016 edition is to expand trade linkages between the province
of KwaZulu-Natal and other Africa countries, while marketing the province of
KwaZulu-Natal as a competitive business destination nationally and
internationally, “explains
Mxolisi Manyakanyaka, Executive Manager for Corporate Services at Trade& Investment
KwaZulu-Natal. “This is in turn will attract foreign and domestic direct
investment into the province. This year’s focus is aimed promoting the province
of KZN as a trade hub and create easy access to South African and regional
market (SADC).”
“Connecting
Africa has become an ideal vehicle for KZN to promote tourists attractions and
events, and ultimately bring more visitors from these markets into the
province,” says Bongani Mthiyane, General Manager of Marketing at Tourism
KwaZulu-Natal. “Through Connecting Africa, the province has direct access to
over 10 million radio listeners, to reinforce KZN as the holiday destination of
choice. Furthermore, through this partnership, KZN will have an opportunity to
build industry confidence by engaging directly with tour operators and agents
from partner countries to package and sell KZN. KZN will further promote beach
experiences and packages particularly to landlocked countries, as well as
safari and cruise packages between KZN and Mozambique.”
East Coast
Radio presenter, Carol Ofori, who hosted this morning’s media launch, will
serve as a tour guide of sorts, as she is accompanying the visitors on their
week-long trip in and around the Zulu Kingdom. “No place in South Africa comes
close to what KZN has to offer!” she told the visitors this morning.
Connecting
Africa is more than a robust initiative to promote inbound tourism and
establish trade and investment networks in the continent. It is also a learning
exchange programme that encourages the sharing of ideas and ideologies among
the continent’s broadcasting peers.
They will be
travelling around KZN for 1 week. You
can track where they are using the hashtag #ECRConnectingAfrica or follow them
on @ecr9495 on Twitter.
For more
info visit www.ecr.co.za
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