The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) emerged as one of the notable exhibitors at this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba, with the organisation using the three-day exhibition to strengthen its position within the tourism sector while showcasing its contribution towards public safety, education and research.
A major highlight of the exhibition was the visit by the Honourable Reverend Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, whose engagement with the Sharks Board reinforced the organisation’s strategic importance within KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism and coastal economy.
Honourable Reverend Musa Zondi further described Africa’s Travel Indaba as one of the province’s most important economic platforms, highlighting its role in attracting tourism investment, buyers, exhibitors and international visitors to KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa as a whole.
The MEC’s interaction with the Sharks Board stand highlighted the growing recognition of the organisation as a key contributor to tourism development, environmental awareness and coastal safety in the province.
The Head of Department for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Dr Nkosenye Zulu, also officially welcomed buyers, exhibitors, media representatives and business stakeholders to Africa’s Travel Indaba. During the exhibition, Dr Zulu visited the KZNSB stand where he met with the team and viewed the shark jaw displays showcased at the exhibition.
Throughout the exhibition, the Sharks Board attracted strong interest from local and international visitors through its educational and interactive displays, particularly the shark jaw exhibition featuring species commonly found along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, including the Great White Shark, Tiger Shark, Zambezi Shark and Ragged Tooth Shark.
The Great White Shark jaws proved to be one of the biggest attractions at the stand, with visitors eager to learn more about the species and the role sharks play within the ocean ecosystem. International tourists were seen taking photographs of the displays, while many visitors expressed amazement at the size and detail of the shark jaws on exhibition.
The exhibition created an important platform for the organisation to educate visitors about shark safety, marine research, educational initiatives and the role the Sharks Board plays in ensuring safe beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline.
Acting CEO of the KZN Sharks Board, Harry Mbambo, said the organisation’s presence at Africa’s Travel Indaba was important in positioning the Sharks Board within the tourism sector and increasing awareness about its work.
Mbambo highlighted that the KZN Sharks Board reports directly to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and expressed pride in being part of such a major tourism platform.
“We are proud to be part of an event of this magnitude because Africa’s Travel Indaba attracts a large number of tourists, buyers and stakeholders to Africa, particularly to KwaZulu-Natal. As an entity that reports directly to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, it is important for us to contribute towards promoting the province and its tourism offerings,” said Mbambo.
He added that the organisation’s educational outreach programmes, marine research initiatives and public awareness work continue to contribute towards communities and tourism development across the province.
“Through our educational initiatives, outreach programmes and ongoing research, we continue to contribute towards various communities and tourism development efforts. This makes the Sharks Board unique and one of its kind in the world,” he said.
Mbambo further expressed his passion for strengthening the visibility of the Sharks Board and raising awareness about its tourism and educational offerings.
“Our beaches remain one of KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest attractions, and the work done by the Sharks Board plays an important role in ensuring that the KZN coastline remains one of the safest coastlines for residents and visitors alike. We want more people to understand the value and contribution of the Sharks Board,” he added.
The Sharks Board also used the platform to promote its educational shark dissection shows and boat trips, which remain popular among schools, tourists and marine enthusiasts. The educational demonstrations provide insight into shark anatomy, marine biology and ocean awareness.
Throughout the three-day exhibition, the Sharks Board team networked with tourism stakeholders, industry representatives and fellow exhibitors, including KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film and Durban Tourism.
Following the success of this year’s exhibition, the Sharks Board plans to expand its future Tourism Indaba showcases by placing greater emphasis on its scientific research initiatives and solutions aimed at addressing operational and environmental challenges affecting the organisation.
The successful participation at Africa’s Travel Indaba further strengthened the Sharks Board’s role as a unique contributor to tourism, education, research and public safety within KwaZulu-Natal.