As South Africa celebrates Tourism Month, the spotlight is on the role tourism can play in growing local economies, supporting businesses and creating opportunities for communities.
For Komati, this also raises an important question: What could be developed in our community to attract more visitors and create local jobs?
Komati is known primarily for its connection to the former Eskom power station and the coal economy that supported generations of families. But as the community navigates life after coal, there is an opportunity to think differently about what could contribute to the local economy.
Could tourism become part of that conversation?
The question comes as South Africa continues to grapple with a severe unemployment crisis. The latest figures from Statistics South Africa show that the country’s official unemployment rate increased to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, with the number of unemployed people rising to 8.5 million.
For communities such as Komati, which have experienced major economic changes following the decline of the coal economy and the shutdown of Eskom’s Komati Power Station, finding new opportunities to support livelihoods is particularly important, especially since tourism is already a significant part of South Africa’s economy.
What if our former power station became a place where visitors could enjoy heritage tours, local food, markets, arts and crafts, outdoor activities and family entertainment .
Creating opportunities for local businesses and jobs?
Tourism is more than sightseeing
According to the Department of Tourism, the sector accounted for 953,981 direct jobs in 2024, representing 5.7% of the country’s labour force. Tourism also contributed 4.9% to the economy, while tourism spending reached R779.2 billion.
Those numbers show that tourism is about more than sightseeing. When visitors spend money in an area, that spending can support accommodation, restaurants, transport, tour guides, entertainment, local products and other small businesses.
But for Komati, the opportunity could be to look at what can be developed locally, and how residents can benefit from visitors coming into the community.
Tourism as a driver of the local economy
There is potential to create experiences around nature and outdoor activities, local food, culture, history and community-based tourism while offering visitors more reasons to come, explore and spend time here.
Developing these opportunities could also create space for local entrepreneurs to turn their skills and ideas into businesses, while creating much-needed income and employment opportunities within the community.
Tourism does not only benefit hotels and major attractions. It can also create opportunities for tour guides, food vendors, accommodation providers, transport operators, photographers, artists, crafters and small businesses.
For young people in particular, developing tourism-related activities could open up a world of opportunities to earn an income while showcasing what Komati and its surrounding areas have to offer.
But for this to happen, residents need to be part of the conversation.
So, what do you think Komati needs?
Would you like to see:
Nature and outdoor attractions?
Walking or hiking trails?
Picnic and family recreation areas?
More local food and entertainment experiences?
Cultural and heritage attractions?
More accommodation options?
Adventure activities?
Markets showcasing local businesses and products?
Or is there something completely different that you believe could put Komati on the tourism map?
Komati News Flash wants to hear from you.
What would you like to see developed in Komati to attract visitors and create local jobs?
Send us your thoughts, make your contribution and tell us what you think Komati could offer visitors that would make them want to come, stay and explore.
Your idea could be part of the conversation about Komati’s future beyond coal.
Comment on our facebook page
