A local online initiative has emerged in an attempt to counter the effects that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the Stellenbosch tourism sector.
This was according to Christeleen Sanvido, communications officer at Visit Stellenbosch, a tourist information centre in Stellenbosch.
“Stellenbosch Staaltjies is a video series that we share on our social media platforms, containing tour guides and locals who know the ins-and-outs of [Stellenbosch],” explained Sanvido.
The videos that form part of the Stellenbosch Staaltjies series are at least two minutes long, according to Christeleen Sanvido, communications officer at Visit Stellenbosch, a tourist information center in Stellenbosch. Sanvido added that despite being lengthier videos, on average they receive over 100 views per video across their various social media platforms. SCREENSHOT: Instagram/@visitstellenboschnow.
The video series has been ongoing since 3 June, with the fourth storyteller’s chapter series set to premiere on 16 September, said Sanvido. The featured storytellers provide anecdotes about Stellenbosch, according to Sanvido. “We wanted people to get to know Stellenbosch on a different level or note. You cannot Google the specific stories of the locals,” she added.
“As you drive into Kayamandi, the first thing that will receive you, is the food stalls at the roundabout as you enter Kayamandi. That shows that the people here…they eat,” said Paul Khambule, a Kayamandi resident and the third Stellenbosch Staaltjies storyteller who shares the five-part Kayamandi story. GALLERY: Sibulela Bolarinwa
Local is lekker
“I enjoy getting to show people that there is more to the town than what you read about in the news,” said Johan Nepgen, who is the fourth storyteller to join the video series.
Nepgen is a tour guide for Stellenbosch on Foot, a tour agency which provides walking art and history tours around Stellenbosch.
“It is a great opportunity showing people the diversity of the town that they would not experience if they were to just drive through the town,” he added.
“The area on which the [Stellenbosch University] theology building is now located, was once an island,” explained Johan Nepgen, the fourth Stellenbosch Staaltjies storyteller who is a tour guide from Stellenbosch on Foot, a tour agency which provides walking art and history tours around Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Sibulela Bolarinwa
The tourism sector vs the pandemic
Stellenbosch Staaltjies also serves to highlight the services that tour guides have to offer, and to remind people that, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, tour guides are still in operation, said Nepgen.
“It is a satisfying feeling knowing that you can teach someone something without being a teacher,” said Johan Nepgen, the fourth Stellenbosch Staaltjies storyteller who is a tour guide from Stellenbosch on Foot. This tour agency provides walking art and history tours around Stellenbosch. Nepgen has been sharing tales in the tourism industry for 20 years. PHOTO: Sibulela Bolarinwa
Initiatives to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have been ongoing since 2020, according to Jo-Anne Otto, deputy director of communications services at the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM).
“We hosted a small business compliance competition in the later part of last year,” said Otto in email correspondence with MatieMedia. “Winners could win free advertising space in one of the five local newspapers and extensive coverage on our social media platforms.”
Otto mentioned that people need to understand that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, also have an impact on all the other sectors in the economy.
“The CWDM is further committed to business rejuvenation through a number of projects driven by our tourism and communications units,” added Otto.
“When you think about Stellenbosch, its beautiful oak trees are always a topic of discussion, as it forms part of its existence,” said Siertske van Wyk, who is the 87th person in South Africa to be officially recognised as a tour guide. Van Wyk, who was the second person to be featured in Stellenbosch Staaltjies, provides a local perspective on the history of Stellenbosch. GALLERY: Sibulela Bolarinwa