Community-based tourism takes centre stage as hikers, residents and tourism stakeholders come together to celebrate the natural beauty, living heritage and rural hospitality of Umzimvubu on 18–19 September 2026.
Umzimvubu Local Municipality is set to make history with the launch of the inaugural Ntsizwa Hiking Trail, a flagship community-based tourism initiative designed to showcase the Municipality’s natural beauty, rich heritage and growing tourism potential.
The two-day event, taking place on 18 and 19 September 2026, forms part of the Municipality’s Tourism and Heritage Month programme, under the theme “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.”
The inaugural trail is expected to attract hiking enthusiasts and hiking teams from across the Alfred Nzo District and neighbouring municipalities, offering participants an opportunity to experience the scenic landscapes, cultural heritage and rural hospitality that define the Umzimvubu area.
According to Nokhanyo Zembe, Senior Manager: Communications and SPU, the Ntsizwa Hiking Trail is an important step towards positioning Umzimvubu as a destination for nature, adventure, cultural and heritage tourism.
“The Ntsizwa Hiking Trail provides an opportunity to bring our communities, tourism stakeholders and visitors together while showcasing the natural and cultural assets that make Umzimvubu unique. More importantly, the initiative creates opportunities for local communities and tourism enterprises to benefit directly from tourism,” said Zembe.
A key feature of the inaugural event is its strong focus on community-based tourism. Two local tourism cooperatives, Ntombi-yexesibe Cooperative in Lugelweni and Fikiswa Ndilele Cooperative at Lusuthu Village, will play a central role in hosting and supporting participants.
On Friday, 18 September, overnight hikers will be accommodated in local homestays in Lusuthu Village, giving visitors an opportunity to experience rural homestay life while creating direct economic opportunities for participating households.
The main hiking experience will take place on Saturday, 19 September, starting at 07h00. Participants will embark on a 6.3-kilometre guided route from Lusuthu Village to the Lugelweni Ntsizwa Hiking Trail site.
The experience will culminate at the Lugelweni Ntsizwa Hiking Trail site, where participants and community members will enjoy entertainment, a community braai and a tourism-focused flea market.
The flea market will provide a platform for local crafters, producers and tourism enterprises to showcase their products, crafts and services. Visitors will also have an opportunity to access information about tourism attractions and offerings within the Municipality.
The Ntsizwa Mountain and surrounding landscape are among the area’s key tourism assets, offering spectacular mountain views, diverse natural vegetation and important historical associations with Chief Madzikane. The Municipality views the development of the hiking trail as an opportunity to promote these assets while contributing to heritage preservation and local economic development.
“The Municipality is committed to developing tourism experiences that are rooted in our communities and that allow residents to become active participants in the local tourism economy. The Ntsizwa Hiking Trail is one of the platforms through which we can achieve this while celebrating our living heritage,” said Zembe.
The inaugural Ntsizwa Hiking Trail forms part of Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s broader efforts to package its natural, cultural and heritage assets into sustainable tourism experiences, strengthen community participation and support local enterprises.
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