Bogus tour guides threaten Langa's tourism industry

A KwaLanga tour guide has raised alarm over what he describes as a growing number of bogus guides operating in the area, stating that this trend is damaging the township tourism industry and undermining legitimate operators.

Alfred Magwaca, a freelance registered tour guide with 15 years of experience, expressed increasing concern about unregistered and unaccredited individuals taking tourists around Langa. He claims that some of those offering tours are linked to coffee shops, bed-and-breakfast establishments, and other businesses, despite not being qualified or registered to conduct tours.

“I have worked as a freelance tourist guide for 15 years. As a guide, I want to express serious concern about the increasing use of unregistered and unaccredited tour guides by certain tour operators and external organisations operating in our area. This practice undermines tourism regulations, compromises visitor safety, and erodes the integrity of township tourism,” he said.

Mr Magwaca said that registered local guides have invested significant time, training, and resources to comply with industry standards and legal requirements. Bypassing them threatens their livelihoods and deprives the community of fair economic participation.

“Unregistered guiding also risks misrepresenting our community’s history, culture, religion, and lived experiences, which should be shared accurately and respectfully. I call on tour operators, tourism authorities, and relevant stakeholders to uphold ethical tourism practices by working exclusively with registered local guides,” he said.

He believes that stronger monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with community-based tourism structures are urgently needed to protect both visitors and the dignity of Langa’s heritage-rich communities.

“Our communities are not just destinations — they are living spaces whose stories must be told responsibly by those who are recognised, accountable, and rooted in the area,” he said, adding that there should be firm opposition to the use of unregistered guides.

Mr Magwaca called on tourism authorities to tighten compliance measures and encourage collaboration between tour operators, registered local guides, and community structures to ensure inclusive and sustainable tourism. He emphasised that Langa’s heritage, dignity, and economic interests must be protected by prioritising local participation and lawful guiding practices.

Former tour guide Lizo Mgobozi agreed, stating that the problem is worsened by a lack of

monitoring and the perceived value in registering. “People don’t see the importance of registering because there is little enforcement,” he said.

Tourism stakeholders warn that unless decisive action is taken, Langa’s tourism legacy and reputation could be at risk.

In response to allegations of unregistered tour guides operating in Langa, Hantie Nelson, deputy director for tourism regulation and provincial registrar of tourist guides at the Western Cape Tourist Guide Registration Office in the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, said the department had reviewed its database of complaints over the past two years.

She said no complaints about illegal guiding activities in Langa had been received during that period. However, Ms Nelson noted that the department had received complaints several years ago.

“We investigated and, during the 2023/24 period, rolled out a project with the City of Cape Town in which DEDAT (Department of Economic Development and Tourism) appointed a registered CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority) training provider. A total of 38 tourist guides in Langa were trained. Since then, we have received no further complaints,” she said.

Ms Nelson advised guides concerned about illegal operators to report them so that the department can investigate. “If a person is found guilty of illegal guiding, they may be issued a warning or a fine. The department can also conduct awareness campaigns on the implications of using illegal guides,” she said.

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