Tourism product owners in the City of uMhlathuze are reminded of the need to register their businesses with the uMhlathuze Community Tourism Organisation (uCTO). This pertains to all those who operate in the hospitality and leisure industry. Not only is it compulsory to be a member, but the benefits also make it well worth the effort.According to regulations promulgated on 13 May 2004, it is mandatory for enterprises whose primary objective is to provide services and facilities to tourists in KZN, to register with the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism. This is done via the CTO which, like any other business association, is required by the law to be the voice of the tourism industry role-players at all levels.

The purpose of the CTO’s is to disseminate the information about tourist destinations, attractions and accommodation. Opportunities for training and certification are also provided. ‘We also encourage interactions among those involved in the tourism business thus promoting the image of the City of uMhlathuze,’ said uCTO chairperson Vanessa le Roux. ‘We also enhance our identity by encouraging effectiveness and professionalism of our member through networking, partnerships and tourism awareness education.’Present sub-committees are: Transport, Accommodation, Marketing, Communications, Finance and Training & Development. Assistance in putting together a calendar of events in the City is also a priority and any organisation planning a sporting, cultural, entertainment or any other type of mass activity is asked to contact Vanessa at email umhambi@isat.co.za

Besides being an obligatory requirement, membership of the CTO gives product owners a number of benefits, among others:
• Inclusion in a comprehensive database
• Free listings in marketing material such as travel guides, trade directories, niche brochures and maps
• A web-page hosted and generated by uCTO
• Permission to display brochures at uMhlathuze flagship information office and airport office
• Access to the uMhlathuze CTO Logo to assist in promoting uMhlathuze as a tourist destination, and your own business.
• Opportunity to take advantage of economical advertising in a wide range of print and electronic media
• Opportunity to participate in trade shows
• Opportunity to host media exploring the uMhlathuze region.
• Membership Certificates issued to all affiliated members
• Free training/ workshops facilitated by Municipality
• CTO will be mouthpiece of product owner members.

The verdict is out – Richards Bay is the Zululand Observer’s Town of the Year. Readers could vote for their favourite Zululand town by completing a voting form which appeared in the newspaper. As an incentive, the Zululand Observer and Bluff Meat Supply, Richards Bay gave away prizes to four lucky voters

Welcome to the City of uMhlathuze.
Richards Bay is Zululand’s industrial hub, but also a popular holiday destination. The Port of Richards Bay is South Africa’s main and most modern bulk cargo handling port, and is responsible for 50% of all the cargo that comes through South African harbours. Deep sea anglers and water sport enthusiasts love Richards Bay for its easy access to the Indian Ocean, and the harbour mouth is a favourite hang-out spot for surfers, paddlers and sailors. Locals spend their weekends at Alkantstrand, Naval and Pelican islands. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the endangered Humpback dolphin. Or go for a bite at one of the many restaurants situated at the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront.

For those who have the patience and who are prepared to sacrifice some early morning sleep, the dolphin viewing platform at Alkantstrand continues to make it worth the effort. The endangered and extremely striking Humpback dolphins are most often spotted in the early morning or late afternoon as they feed off the pier (northern breakwater) at Alkantstrand.

However, the fortunate and experienced dolphin spotter may see them at any time of day. Richards Bay appears to have the highest number of Humpback dolphin sightings in the country. The general public is increasingly becoming aware of this rare jewel, with the dolphin viewing platform at Alkantstrand attracting ever more visitors.

Now, a new dimension has been added: the erection of a video camera and underwater microphone that is recording the movements and sounds of these beautiful creatures. The real bonus is that the  online streaming of the sightings can now be done from one’s own home PC or mobile device. And the viewers – anywhere in the world – can become ‘citizen scientists’ by sending their sightings to the relevant researchers.

But it’s about more than seeing these dolphins in their natural habitat. The serious matter of dolphins being accidentally ensnared in shark nets, and what measures can be taken to prevent this without compromising bathers, is the purpose of the study. We urge residents to participate in the research and the preservation of this endangered species.

You can visit the Richards Bay beach virtually and help search for dolphins using the EZVIZ app. Download on the App store or Get it on Google Play: www.ezvizlife.com/appdownload Username: rb_dolphin_watch Password: RB2017 The fi rst time you log in you will need the device password BUVUHN. If you see a dolphin while you’re looking, email the exact time or send a screenshot to iknowthatdolphin@ gmail.com.

Nothing beats a refreshing dip in the ocean, but there are a few guidelines you should take note of before heading for the beach

Currents are strong jets of water that pull you
away from the shore.
• Currents are usually discoloured, sandy brown.
• Currents ripple the surface of the sea.
• Currents usually start in deep water where
there is little wave activity.
• Look out for water through a surf zone that is a different colour than that of the surrounding water.
• A break in the incoming pattern of waves.
• Seaweed or debris moving out through the surf zone.
• Isolated turbulent and choppy water in the surf zone.

• Never swim alone. Always tell someone if you are going to the beach.
• Respect the ocean – never stand with your back to the ocean.
• Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Make sure your feet can always touch the ground.
• Hold your child’s hand. Don’t think you can watch them from a safe distance while they play in the water: accidents happen in seconds and by the time you reach them, it might be too late.
• Keep an eye on a fixed point or marker on the beach.
• Do not swim in rough water, but do not underestimate ‘calm’ seas either. Many drownings happen on days when the water looks calm and harmless.
• Before entering the water, look out for rip currents, preferably from an elevated spot.

• Do not panic. Do not try to swim against the current. As hard as it sounds, let the current take you out to sea.
• Tread water by moving your arms and legs in circular movements to stay afloat and keep your lungs gently filled with air to aid in your buoyancy.
• Raise one arm in the air and shout for help to alert people on the shore that you are in trouble.
• The rip current force dissipates the further out to sea it gets, so at your first opportunity, swim parallel to the shore front until you are free of the rip and then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore.
• Be extra careful during spring tide. Spring tide happens twice every month at full moon and again at new moon. Rip currents are at their strongest for  a few days leading up to spring tide, peaking on the day of spring tide, and lasting a few days afterwards. Spring tide rip currents can be so strong that they are known to sometimes sweep people off their feet in ankle deep water and carry people rapidly out to sea. For more drowning prevention tips, visit www.scienceofthesurf.com