For township residents, tourism
has been a predominantly "white" activity from which they were entirely
excluded. Initiating the program had its risks, Kotze said. "You needed
them to be aware of environmental and tourism issues, but in creating
this awareness, there was the danger of heightening their resentment
for being excluded," she said.
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The ultimate goal of the tourism guide training
program is to make blacks equal stakeholders in Wakkerstroom's growing
tourism industry, which in turn should motivate conservation and bring the
white and black communities together. Some township residents do not believe
tourism provides enough jobs for the township, and that it prevents other labor
intensive industries from entering the area. But overall, township residents have
responded favorably to the increasing tourism in Wakkerstroom.
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