Langa tour guides have called on unregistered operators to stop working in the area, accusing them of operating illegally and tarnishing their business.
Registered tour guide Alfred Magwaca said unity is needed within the Langa tourism industry. He added that many people are guiding tourists without the required permits.
“To be a qualified tour guide, you must have a card and badge with your registration number,” said Magwaca. “You must carry them at all times so tourists can see that you are registered.”
He explained that tourists may not be able to claim from insurance if something goes wrong while being guided by an unregistered tour guide.
Magwaca said the aim is to protect the credibility and status of registered Langa tour guides.
Unregistered guides accused of affecting livelihoods
Another tour guide, Zamile Makupula, said unregistered tour guides are making it difficult for registered operators to earn a living.
“We have more than 20 registered tour guides in Langa, and not all of us get work,” said Makupula. “Sometimes you finish a week without getting a single tourist.”
He added that only well-known guides with regular clients manage to secure consistent work. Makupula said registered guides intend to revive the Langa Tourism Forum to address these challenges.
High cost of training remains a barrier
An unregistered tour guide, who asked not to be named for fear of harassment, said he has worked in the industry for almost three years.
He explained that he started as a tour operator before losing his job. “I decided to become a tour guide because I already had some knowledge of the work,” he said.
However, he said the cost of training remains a major obstacle.
“It’s not that we don’t want to register, but the course is expensive,” he said. “I’m currently doing an online course at the Cape Academy of Guiding Services in Pinelands. The course costs R7 000.”
He added that he still needs to complete practical modules and must pay R3 000 upfront to finish the course. He said he started the programme in mid-last year.
