BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE— The City of Mbabane welcomed a delegation from Durban Tourism in Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini, as both cities rolled out a tourism roadshow linked to the Durban Endless Fun Season Winter Campaign and the MTN Bushfire Festival activation.
The visit brought together the Mbabane Mayor, members of council, tourism stakeholders, and the Durban delegation from eThekwini Municipality to promote tourism cooperation, cultural exchange, and joint economic opportunities between the two cities.
The Mayor of Mbabane said the partnership reflects growing cooperation between the cities, built on shared goals of economic development, cultural exchange, and tourism growth. He said Mbabane is committed to building a city that is inclusive, sustainable, and economically active, with tourism playing a key role in creating opportunities for residents.
He welcomed the Durban delegation as they brought their campaign to Mbabane, saying the collaboration allows both cities to learn from each other and promote their tourism strengths. “The planned parade through Mbabane and stakeholder engagements are more than celebration. They are an opportunity to deepen partnerships, exchange knowledge, and showcase the vibrancy of our destinations,” he said.
He added that Mbabane aims to position itself as a strong urban tourism hub offering cultural experiences, scenic attractions, and a welcoming environment for visitors. He also said events such as the MTN Bushfire Festival continue to raise the city’s visibility and support economic opportunities.
The Mayor further said cooperation between Mbabane and Durban could help grow tourism flows, improve economic activity, and create shared visitor experiences. He also noted that discussions point toward more formal sister city relations in future.
Deputy Director at Durban Tourism, Winile Mntungwa, said partnerships remain key to tourism growth across the region. “Partnerships are critical for tourism growth. Through collaboration with municipalities, tourism authorities, and stakeholders in eSwatini, we can strengthen destination marketing, improve regional travel opportunities, encourage cultural exchange, and grow tourism economies collectively,” she said.
She added that participating in platforms such as the Bushfire Festival helps Durban increase visibility, promote its tourism products, and directly engage with potential travellers while building long term tourism links.
The engagement and roadshow activities are expected to continue promoting collaboration between Mbabane and Durban, with both sides expressing commitment to expanding tourism opportunities and regional cooperation.
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