TOUR OPERATOR’S NEWSLETTER

July 2018

On July 1, 2018, a year after construction began, the contractors and project team will officially hand over the new building on the picnic area to the Voortrekker Monument. Due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, of which the heavy rains and lightning damage were part, the building could only be completed three months later as planned.

The research on 11 themes and various school-based syllabuses was done by Heritage Foundation staff and other experts. It will be displayed on almost 100 information panels with illustrations as well as visual materials. Targeted display cases will house a large number of objects, clipboards and drawers and will contain more detailed information that can be "discovered" by learners, students and other interested groups.

Mr. Christo Rabie, the chief educational officer, has been working on the project for the last 10 years and everyone and is looking forward to fully operational centre by January 2019.

Travel and Tourism Markets/Showcases

Attractions Africa

Attractions Africa took place on 06 and 07 June 2018 at Gold Reef City, Johannesburg. One of our colleagues , Charlotte Drotsky, attended the conference.

The conference had enthusiastic speakers covering a wide variety of topics related to the tourism industry. This conference makes it possible for attractions all over South Africa to come together and help each other grow.

Talking Maps Launch at Menlyn Maine Time Square

The first ever printed "Talking Maps" about the top attractions in Tshwane was launched at Menlyn Maine Time Square on 23 June 2018.

The Voortrekker Monument and other attractions on the map launched the map at the square for the entire weekend. This gave us the chance to connect with the local tourism market.

NOTIFICATIONS

Voortrekker Monument Entrance Time Changes

Please note that due to the change in season. the Voortrekker Monument operating hours are now from 08:00 – 17:00 (01 May – 01 September).

Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site Now Cashless

The Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site, the Monument Restaurant and the gift shop, Die Afrikander, have decided to implement cashless systems on site in accordance with international trends.

The move towards a cashless system is beneficial for both the company and the consumer as it is time and cost effective, offers better management control, decreases risk and can reduce queuing times. The Monument is a declared Grade 1 National Heritage Site and is visited by people from across the world; therefore we need to make it as accessible as possible.

According to Ms Cecilia Kruger, Managing Director, visitors who only have cash at their disposal, will definitely not be turned away, but the VTM requests that visitors rather consider paying with either a debit or credit card or to purchase tickets online.

The VTM has been making use of an online ticket booking facility for some time now: www.tixsa.co.za. Ticket buyers on Tixsa can now also pay by means of an EFT. For more information in this regard visit the following link:Youtube link

Tickets may also be purchased of the VTM website,or on our Facebook page.

New 2019/2020 Entrance Fees

The new estimated entrance fees for March’19-Feb’20 have been confirmed by management.
Please contact our Tourism Officer Charlotte Drotsky for any questions related to the new entrance fees.

Heritage Festivals in September 2018

September is heritage month. There will be two separate festivals on the Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site. The Monument’s own annual heritage festival will be taking place on 24 september at the picnic site. This will be a family day full of interesting activities and cultural demonstrations. The entrance fee to this festival will be R30.00 per car. Enquiries regarding this event may be directed to Thea Furstenburg or

Amphi-Roof Restoration

The restoration process of the Amphi-roof is on track and progress has been made. We’re currently putting a brand new roof up at the amphi. The old canvas roof will be replaced by sheeting.

The Voortrekker Monument embarked on a refresher course for tourist guides on various aspects of the Monument earlier this year.

The following dates to attend the course at the Monument in July is as follows:
* 03 July 2018
* 05 July 2018
* 07 July 2018
* 17 July 2018
* 19 July 2018
* 21 July 2018

If you require any information regarding the Guide Training Course, please contact out Client Service Officer, Daniel Mokoena.

EVENTS

Cannon Susanna

Cannon Susanna will be fired at Fort Schanskop on Friday, 7 July promptly at 12:00. An entrance fee of R15.00 per car will be charged.

Sporting Activities

The following sporting activities will take place on site this month:

? 07 July 2018: XCOSA Mountain Bike Race
? 14 July 2018: Springbok Vasbyt
? 21 July 2018: Park Run

Park Acoustics

The following Park Acoustics concerts will take place at Fort Schanskop:
* 1 July 2018
* 29 July 2018

Entrance fee is R 15.00 per car in addition to the ticket price.

Voortrekker Monument Golf Day

The annual Voortrekker Monument Golf Day will be held at the Woodhill Golf Estate on 24 July 2018. For any information regarding the event please contact Thea Furstenburg

Charlotte Drotsky
Tourism Officer
(012) 326 6770
tourism