The Rustenburg local municipality in the North West Province has announced plans to leverage the local entertainment industry as a key driver of economic growth and position the city as an entertainment tourism hub in South Africa. This announcement was made by Executive Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma at the official media launch of the ‘Rusty White’ annual festival on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor Mabale-Huma said the municipality will work with various stakeholders in the entertainment industry to enhance collaboration and boost local economic development, particularly in the tourism sector.
Tourism has been a key contributor to the North West economy, with the sector generating R6.9 billion in revenue and over 24,000 jobs between 2022 and 2023. International arrivals increased by more than 100% over the previous year, reaching 270,000 visitors, though still 53% below pre-pandemic levels. Domestic trips also increased by 44%, with 2.1 million recorded in the same period.
Tourism recovery in the Bojanala Platinum District reached more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels, with some areas achieving full recovery in both international and domestic tourism performance.
Mayor Mabale-Huma emphasised that the municipality will benefit immensely from the economic spinoffs that are provided by the entertainment industry. She also highlighted that entertainment events provide business and employment opportunities, especially for SMMEs in the municipality. “There are various stakeholders that will benefit from these events like B&B’s restaurants and shops” she added.
Rustenburg is a city situated at the foot of the Magalies Mountain range in the Bojanala Platinum District. The city is home to the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, known for its diverse wildlife and scenic hiking trails, and borders Pilanesberg National Park, the fourth largest national park in South Africa.
The “Rusty White” annual festival will take place from 24 to 27 October 2024. The week-long celebration will feature a comedy night, a fitness bootcamp, a soccer tournament featuring legends and celebrities, and a charity drive. The festival aims to position Rustenburg as a hub for entertainment tourism in South Africa.
