Step 9 Monitoring and Evaluation
4.10 REQUIRED TOURISM RELATED SERVICES
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Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and Ulundi. Many other towns have airfields for light aircraft [http://www.airports.co.za/, (2010)].
4.9.1.4 Rail
Spoornet and the SA Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) control South Africa’s rail network. Spoornet provides goods, container services as well as long distance passenger services. Metrorail, a division of Transnet Ltd, is responsible for operating the metropolitan commuter system. Metrorail is contracted to provide this service to the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC), which owns the rolling stock and most of the infrastructure. The Department of Transport has embarked on a comprehensive recapitalisation programme to improve rail safety and revive rail transport as a viable public-transport alternative.
Over the past few years, the government has contributed some R884 million to the remodelling and refurbishment of rail commuter stations. The private sector provided investment of about R1, 6 billion in more than 120 projects on land and properties adjacent to and surrounding rail commuter stations. The Durban - Gauteng corridor is to have a new high speed rail link to assist with improving rail transports competitiveness with road transport. The high speed train will also be used as a tourist attraction and for sight-seeing between Durban and Johannesburg. Soon commuters on Durban's trains will have new coaches with comfortable seating and improved safety, upgraded stations en route, including a new station in the King's Park precinct, Durban. In addition, secure park areas and riding facilities at key places on the line are also planned for big international events and conferences. The newly launched Shosholoza Meyl will provide an affordable inter-city passenger service between major destinations in South Africa [http://www.transnet.net, (2010)].
130 4.10.1 Electricity
KwaZulu-Natal receives its electricity supply through the national supply grid from Eskom. The municipalities concerned mostly carry out local reticulation in the cities.
Despite recent price increases, the cost of electricity in South Africa is still one of the lowest in the world. In South Africa's regulated market electricity prices are set by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa). The percentage of households that use electricity for lighting purposes is 62, 1%. The remainder, particularly in deep rural areas still relies on candles (34, 3%) or gas, paraffin, solar or other (3, 5%) for lighting purposes [http://www.eskom.co.za, (2010)].
4.10.2 Renewable Energy
Although the use of firewood and crop residues is extensive in specific rural areas, other more modern forms of renewable energy form a very small part of the energy sector. Technologies in wind generation are new and there is also limited solar energy production in the form of solar water heaters. Other renewable sources include bagasse and municipal waste or biogas, but their use is limited and still on a small- scale basis. The cost efficiency of electricity produced by renewable technologies in relation to the low price of coal-generated electricity presents a challenge for the growth of this sub-sector [http://www.eskom.co.za, (2010)].
4.10.3 Water
The Province is relatively water rich compared with the rest of the country. KwaZulu- Natal has good rainfall in most parts of the Province. Many of the major rivers have their source in the Drakensberg Mountains. The urban areas are therefore well serviced with high quality water. South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where the Municipal tap water is perfectly safe to drink. Potable water is not recycled, although supply of recycled water can be negotiated for specific industrial applications in the Durban area. Water supply for urban use is sourced from a network of storage dams strategically located around the Province. The provincial water utility is Umgeni Water. South Africa subscribes to world-class environmental management protocols and local authorities enforce these [http://www.umgeni.co.za, (2010)]
131 4.10.4 Telecommunications
The national government organisation, Telkom, is a supplier of landline telephone and facsimile services. Digital microwave and optical fibre serve as the main transmission media for the inter-primary network, interconnecting all major centres.
Telkom offers a range of services and products. Standards are world class and new business or domestic telephones can be promptly installed. A direct dialling service connects all local centres except the more remote districts. Most hotels and businesses offer fax services and/or e-mail facilities. Telecommunication equipment is available both from Telkom and private sector suppliers. Card-and coin-operated public telephones are readily accessible throughout the country. Phone cards to the value of R10, R20, R50, and R200, can be purchased at airports, some shops and at post offices. International dialling and national area codes can be found in all local telephone directories [http://www.telkom.co.za/, (2010)].
4.10.5 Cellular Mobile Phones
A system for cellular mobile phones operates in South Africa, thus enabling foreign visitors to use their cell phones. Cell phones can be rented through various outlets and at international airports. Cell phone networks and satellite communications are offered by private sector organisations and each has an extensive range of services available. The introduction of number portability in November 2006 has increased the flexibility of the mobile service industry and this will probably boost competition between the various providers. Number portability gives a customer the opportunity to change a service provider or network without changing the mobile.
[http:///www.kzntopbusiness.co.za /site/kzn-infgrustructure, (2010)].
4.10.6 Internet and E-mail
Internet and E-mail service providers are generally good. Technology advancement is an integral part of communications, with the result that new services and products are continually on offer from a variety of service providers. One can find Internet cafés in most towns. Many now offer high-speed ADSL access, there are still many with slow dial-ups. [http:///www.kzntopbusiness.co.za /site/kzn, (2010)].
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4.10.7 Durban Information Communications Technology
Based in Durban South Africa, SmartXchange, an Information Communications Technology (ICT) incubator has been set up in Durban as part of the city’s attempt to build a globally competitive ICT industry. Durban has good IT infrastructure, including modern telecommunications and a sub-sea cable connectivity to the Internet. The Province is also boosted by a strong commitment from local government to build a competitive ICT industry. SmartXchange is an example of a successful public private partnership initiative within the Information and Communications Technology industry. The initial focus has been in areas of KwaZulu-Natal province, however, it is anticipated that the model will be replicable to any other part of the country.
4.10.8 Postal Services
The government organisation, South Africa Post Office, is the main postal authority.
There are a number of smaller parallel private sector organisations that offer both postal and courier services in the domestic and international markets. Post box addresses are available from local post offices. Mail services are reliable and operate on a hub and spoke distribution system. Money and cheque transfers should be made electronically via the commercial banks, unless payment is to the post office, which is well set up to receive payments for its own services. It also acts as a third party agent for payment of other services such as TV licences, car licences and municipal bills. It is expected of tourism planners in KwaZulu-Natal to be aware of the availability of the services needed to improve the competitiveness of the tourism industry for the province to compete at international level.