Emanuel Christian School tourism learners to represent South Africa in France

Limpopo; Makhado-When Phophi Selinda and Andy Thovhakale, grade 11 learners from the Emanuel Christian School responded to the call by GTTPSA (Global Travel and Tourism Partnership of South Africa) for learners to conduct and submit research on tourism festivals, little did they know that they would be packing their bags this coming November to spend a week in France to represent South Africa.

The two tourism learners under the mentorship of their subject educator, Mrs. Muralda Van Der Nest, conducted research on various tourism festivals in the province, which was documented on a 4 page document. The research also included recommendation to the organizer. The festivals they researched on included Oppikoppie Music festival, Limpopo Marula Festival, Kiwifruit Festival, Kierieklapper Art Festival and Ellisras Bushveld Festival.

The pair was announced as the Provincial winners during the Provincial Arbor Week celebration at the Beitbridge Border Post by Honorable MEC for LEDET (Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism), Mr. Pitsi Moloto. The two also proceeded to the national level where they were announced national winners at the Career Expo in Durban, Kwa Zulu-Natal. The two learners and their teacher will be jetting-off to Monaco, France to make an oral presentation on the 21 November 2011.

Talking about the victory the learners had this to say “We got a lot of exposure and we did not know that there were such festivals in our province. We will be flying for the first time in our lives visiting an overseas country. This has no doubt also boosted our interest in tourism.”

The CEO of Limpopo Tourism Agency’s CEO, Mr. Rob Tooley, was also very happy for the achievement and said, “This achievement makes us very proud as a tourism authority and the two learners should be an inspiration to many in the province that these things are also possible to those who are committed. We are also delighted that the two learners and their educator will also be our ambassadors wherever they go. We congratulate them and wish them a very educative and safe trip”.

From left: Mike Tauatsoala (Manager Corporate Communications LTP), Phophi Selinda (learner), Mauralda Van Der Nest (teacher), Andy Tovhakale (learner).