In a recent report by the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA), the province of Mpumalanga in South Africa celebrated a thriving festive season, marked by a significant surge in attendance at various events.

The agency revealed that numerous visitors flocked to Mpumalanga, drawn by various events hosted across the province. Notable performances, such as Sjava’s Live Tour in Mbombela, contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Collaborating with ten event organizers across the province’s three districts, MTPA highlighted that each major event attracted a minimum of 30,000 attendees. This robust turnout indicated a substantial influx of travelers motivated by the events, with many extending their stays to explore the region’s tourist attractions.

Popular tourist sites during the holidays included iconic destinations like Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, God’s Window, Graskop Gorge Lift, and the renowned Kruger National Park.

To ensure the safety of tourists during the bustling holiday period, Mpumalanga deployed 220 tourism monitors across the province.

This initiative was part of the Department of Tourism’s broader plan, which allocated R174.5 million to train 2,305 tourism safety monitors throughout South Africa during the 2023 financial year.

These monitors were strategically placed at major tourist destinations nationwide to enhance safety awareness, provide skills to unemployed youth, and reduce vulnerabilities among tourists.

Mpumalanga is a province in eastern South Africa, bordered by Eswatini and Mozambique. Its name, derived from Nguni languages, translates to “East” or “The Place Where the Sun Rises.”

Established in 1994, Mpumalanga resulted from the amalgamation of the Eastern Transvaal area with former Bantustans KaNgwane, KwaNdebele, and parts of Lebowa and Gazankulu.

While its contemporary borders were shaped post-apartheid, the region has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with trade playing a significant role. Mbombela serves as the capital, and Mpumalanga shares borders with Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.