The South African Township and Village Tourism Organisation has welcomed the newly appointed South African Tourism Board and pledged to support its leadership, while calling for existing tourism commitments to be translated into practical programmes for enterprises in townships, villages and small dorpies. In a letter dated 1 October 2026, the Johannesburg based organisation said it wants to work with the Board and South African Tourism on market access, tourism product visibility, quality assurance, grading and enterprise development. The development matters to Gauteng because SATOVITO is based in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, and represents tourism enterprises operating in communities that it wants included more meaningfully in tourism growth.
SATOVITO said it wants its existing memorandum of agreement to provide the basis for a structured implementation plan between the organisation and tourism authorities.
The organisation has also requested engagement with the new Board and relevant South African Tourism leadership to discuss priorities and agree on the next steps.
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SATOVITO Pledges Support For New Tourism Board
In its letter to the South African Tourism Board, SATOVITO congratulated the newly appointed members and said it supported efforts to develop an inclusive, competitive and sustainable tourism sector.
The organisation promotes the development and participation of tourism enterprises operating in townships, villages and small dorpies.
The organisation said these destinations offer cultural heritage, tourism experiences and entrepreneurial potential that can strengthen South Africa’s tourism offering, encourage domestic travel and contribute to local employment.
The letter was signed by SATOVITO Co-Chairperson Lusanda Fibi. Rather than limiting its response to welcoming the new Board, the organisation outlined several areas where it wants further cooperation with South African Tourism.
Market Access And Enterprise Development Among Priorities
SATOVITO identified market access as one of the areas it wants to address through its relationship with the Board and South African Tourism.
It also identified tourism product visibility, quality assurance, grading and enterprise development as priorities.
According to the organisation, greater participation by emerging businesses, women and young people could help ensure that tourism growth creates broader economic opportunities.
The proposals place tourism enterprises at the centre of its planned engagement with the new Board.
The organisation did not announce specific new programmes, funding allocations or Gauteng projects in the letter. Instead, it proposed discussions on how existing commitments could be implemented.
Tourism Pledge And Existing Agreement Take Focus
SATOVITO also referred to its signing of a tourism pledge alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The organisation said the pledge reinforced its commitment to tourism growth and inclusive participation.
SATOVITO wants the existing memorandum of agreement, referred to as the MOA in its letter, to be used to turn that commitment into practical programmes and measurable outcomes for the communities and enterprises it represents.
The organisation proposed that the agreement should form the basis of a jointly agreed implementation plan.
According to SATOVITO, that plan should include clear priorities, responsibilities, timelines and regular progress reviews.
The areas proposed for discussion include:
• Market access
• Destination and product promotion
• Quality assurance and grading
• Enterprise development
SATOVITO said these areas fall within the agreed scope of the existing memorandum of agreement.
SATOVITO Wants Meeting With Tourism Leadership
The next step proposed by SATOVITO is direct engagement with the South African Tourism Board and relevant South African Tourism leadership.
The organisation said it would welcome an opportunity to review the existing agreement, present the priorities of the constituency it represents and agree on how implementation should proceed.
SATOVITO described its intended approach as one of constructive engagement and practical collaboration.
No date for such a meeting was provided in the letter.
There was also no announcement of specific implementation deadlines, individual tourism businesses that would benefit or financial commitments connected to the proposed work.
Those details would depend on further engagement and any implementation plan subsequently agreed between the parties.
Why Township And Village Tourism Is Part Of The Discussion
SATOVITO’s letter places tourism enterprises operating outside traditional tourism centres within the discussion about South Africa’s tourism growth.
The organisation specifically identifies businesses and destinations in townships, villages and small dorpies as the constituency it promotes.
Its proposed areas of cooperation indicate that SATOVITO wants attention placed on practical issues affecting these tourism enterprises, including visibility, access to markets, grading and business development.
The letter also identifies emerging businesses, women and young people as groups whose participation SATOVITO wants to see strengthened.
However, the organisation’s proposals remain requests for engagement at this stage. The letter does not confirm that the new Board has accepted the proposed implementation process or announced programmes arising from it.
What This Means For Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng, the development has particular relevance because SATOVITO is headquartered at Samanco House, 58 Marshall Street in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
Its broader mandate covers tourism enterprises in townships, villages and small dorpies across South Africa, meaning the proposals are not limited to Gauteng.
However, the areas identified by SATOVITO, including market access, tourism product promotion, quality assurance, grading and enterprise development, provide an indication of the issues the organisation intends to raise when engaging the new South African Tourism leadership.
For Gauteng tourism businesses and communities, the practical significance will become clearer if the proposed meeting takes place and the parties agree on an implementation plan.
At present, the letter does not identify individual Gauteng destinations, businesses, funding opportunities or programmes that residents can apply for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Has SATOVITO Said About The New South African Tourism Board?
SATOVITO welcomed the newly appointed Board and pledged its support for its leadership while calling for cooperation aimed at supporting tourism enterprises in townships, villages and small dorpies.
What Does SATOVITO Want To Work On With South African Tourism?
The organisation identified market access, destination and product promotion, quality assurance and grading, and enterprise development as areas for further discussion.
What Is SATOVITO Proposing?
SATOVITO wants its existing memorandum of agreement to form the basis of a jointly agreed implementation plan with priorities, responsibilities, timelines and regular progress reviews.
Has A New Tourism Programme Been Announced?
No specific new programme, funding allocation or implementation deadline was announced in the letter. SATOVITO has proposed further engagement with the Board and South African Tourism leadership.
Where Is SATOVITO Based?
SATOVITO lists its address as Samanco House, 58 Marshall Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
What Happens Next
SATOVITO has asked for a meeting with the new South African Tourism Board and relevant South African Tourism leadership.
The proposed engagement would focus on reviewing the existing memorandum of agreement, discussing the priorities of the tourism enterprises SATOVITO represents and agreeing on the next steps for implementation.
Whether those discussions result in specific programmes, deadlines or initiatives for tourism enterprises will depend on what is agreed during the next phase of engagement.
SATOVITO said it remains committed to working with South African Tourism and the new Board as the parties consider how the existing agreement can be implemented. The organisation also expressed its support for the new Board’s term and said it wants to strengthen the partnership in advancing tourism across South Africa.
