We’re very proud to announce our good friend and fellow philanthropist James Fernie, founder of the Uthando charity, has been awarded National Best Cultural Tour Guide at The 2016 Lilizela Awards in South Africa.
BEcause work closely with James and Uthando as part of our work with our charity, ADD Positivity.
The Uthando Social Development Project is a travelling philanthropy and responsible tourism initiative, which links the local and international tourism industries in South Africa with a broad range of innovative, inspiring and well-managed community development projects.
The 2016 Lilizela Awards are considered South Africa’s premium travel awards, and this win is testament to the truly amazing work that Jamie Fernie and his team are doing in the townships of Cape Town.
James picked up the award at The 2016 Lilizela Awards ceremony, held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 16 October. He received the award from Derek Hanekom, Minister of Tourism and acting Head of South African Tourism.
James had the following to say about his win:
“Tour guiding has afforded me (and now also my colleague Xolani Maseko) the incredible opportunity to tell our unique and quintessential South African story to an international audience. It is a profound joy and pleasure to share our history and collective experience over so many years with so many people who are deeply interested in learning about it.
Our South African history is tragic, brutal and complex but also incredible, remarkable, inspiring and largely unique in the world. It is a story that truly resonates with so many and it is a singular honour to be in a position to share it.
The heart of Uthando works to introduce tourists and tourism businesses to the remarkable, inspiring, courageous and simply beautiful people’ who are running a myriad of amazing community projects under immensely challenging conditions. It gives Xolani and I such jpy to introduce these community heroes, and through this introduction, to shine a light on their work and efforts while at the same time seeking ways to help them primarily through income generation but also many other forms of assistance.”
To learn more about Uthando and donate to their cause, please visit their website.