‘I’m a GeePee’ campaign launched at Maropeng

Bianca Bothma – 6 September 2011

I'm GeePee loyalty cards

The Cradle of Humankind buzzed with positive energy on Tuesday as the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) launched its “I'm a GeePee and this is my Gauteng” campaign for Tourism Month.

Dawn Robertson, CEO of the GTA, explained that this campaign is about encouraging the people of Gauteng to become tourists in their own province. And with the launch of a loyalty “I'm a GeePee” card, card-holders will receive discounts – including free admission at selected destinations – at various tourism attractions in the province.

Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Qedani Mahlangu, explained that tourism is vital to growing the economy of the province, and said that the GTA tourism strategy has two objectives: “We want to increase the money spent by people in the province, as well as promote the province to those outside Gauteng.”

Part of this strategy is ensuring that visitors receive good service when they visit Gauteng, explained Mahlangu: “We have to ensure that local and international tourists are treated well so that they have a memorable experience and return to our province.”

The launch was broadcast live on SABC 2’s Morning Live show, with news anchor Leanne Manas interviewing some of the local celebrity tourism ambassadors, or “GeePees”.

From left to right: Kgomotso Pooe from Soweto Outdoor Adventures; Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Qedani Mahlangu and Lebo Malepa from Lebo's Soweto Backpackers

Manas praised the campaign and the ideal location of the launch, the Maropeng Hotel, which she said is incredibly beautiful and conveniently located close to the hustle and bustle of the city. “When you live in Gauteng you need to get away from it all.”

Penny Lebyane, co-host of SABC talk show Motswako, agreed with this sentiment, saying: “In Gauteng everything is close to home, so it’s easy to get anywhere.”

Local tourism business entrepreneurs were also interviewed by Manas. Kgomotso Pooe of Soweto Outdoor Adventures said that the support of this kind of campaign for its business is invaluable: “We need assistance with promoting our business and we really appreciate the support we get from Gauteng Tourism.”

Lebo's Soweto Backpackers, one of the first and few black-owned backpackers in South Africa, not only offers affordable accommodation for tourists but offers the unique experience of bike rides through Soweto.

Lebo Malepa, owner of Soweto Backpackers, says it specialises in “get out of the car” tourism experiences that allow a person to interact with the community on a more intimate level. “We have recently introduced tuk-tuk tours which we know to be popular in Asia,” he said.

The launch also saw performances by Gauteng musicians. Wouter Kellerman, who is also a tourism ambassador, spoke passionately of how Gauteng is a “melting pot” of cultures, while Pops Mahomed, who performed with Kellerman, explained: “Our job as ambassadors is to encourage locals to visit places of interest in our backyard.”

People in attendance at the launch of the "I'm a GeePee and this is my Gauteng" campaign at the Maropeng Boutique Hotel

Mahomed used Maropeng as an ideal example of a place all Gautengers should visit. “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have come from,” he said.

On the terrace of the Maropeng Boutique Hotel restaurant, Morning Live viewers watched as the sun rose over the Magalies and Witwatersberg mountains.

The live broadcast was followed by an official presentation of the campaign by the GTA to media and tourism representatives.

Design Indaba founder Ravi Naidoo also launched the Your Street challenge, an initiative focused on effecting positive social change in a person’s immediate surrounds and using creativity to transform the city.

Naidoo originally launched the campaign in Cape Town and is going to Vienna in October to launch it there as well. Gautengers are invited to submit design plans to improve their streets, explained Naidoo.

The winning submission will be judged on the best design idea that has a sound business model. The winner will receive a grant of R100 000 to implement the idea.

What with Facebook activations, on-air broadcasts throughout the month on Kaya FM, and daily deals available on www.gauteng.net/mygauteng, the GTA invites all residents to take up the challenge and go explore the delights the province has to offer.