uThukela District Municipality has once again scooped another prestigious award for the Best Public Service Innovation/Creativity of the Year for developing an Interactive Tourism Website in the KZN Premier's Service Excellence Awards. The municipality was awarded Bronze Award during the ceremony that was held on Thursday, July 20, at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convection Centre in Durban. The Honourable Premier, Mr W Mchunu, Honourable MECs, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Speakers, Municipal Managers, Heads of Departments and Officials in the public services around the province attended the event.
The Premier's Service Excellence Awards is one of the milestone calendar events in KZN that inspire a commitment to service delivery. It is held annually to celebrate the heroes and heroines in the KZN Government that hold the banner of excellence higher. The principle of Batho Pele continues to be a rallying call entrench a service culture of excellence.
The uThukela District Municipality was recognised for developing an Interactive Tourism Websites, which is the first of its kind according to the KZN Tourism. The uThukela Tourism Website allows users to view tourism offerings, investment opportunities, online brochure and photo gallery. Users can also interact in the interactive map and do the analysis on what is near to their locations, as well as find the fastest route and travel times to get there.
To accept the Bronze Award on behalf of the uThukela District Municipality was the Honourable Mayor Cllr AS Mazibuko, Honourable Deputy Mayor Cllr NW Sibiya, Honourable Speaker Cllr DCP Mazibuko, General Manager for the Department of Social and Economic Services Mr NZ Khuzwayo, Senior Manager for Social and Economic Services Mr W Viljoen, Tourism Officer Ms Z Ntshingela and GIS Specialist Mr C Van Niekerk.
The Website was launched in April this year and was given a thumbs up by tourism fraternity, Community Tourism Organizations, EDTEA and KZN Tourism, who have all pledged continuous support and assistance from tourism businesses and other key stakeholders. To visit the website go to www.uthukelaexperience.co.za
Mr Khuzwayo stressed the fact that the website is only the first phase of this project as the department is planning to launch the second phase before the end of the municipal financial year.
