The Department of Tourism and Event Management hosted a virtual guest lecture on 02 November 2020, presented by Mr De Wet Herselman, an accomplished lecturer and a well-known tourist, to deliver a presentation on his journey of the contrast between the South African and European tourism industries.

In his lecture, he shared his experiences showcasing the tourism industry in South Africa versus that of Europe, highlighting the cultural differences and similarities that are to be found. He also alluded to how the diversity of cultures impact on strategic management, and change management in the industry.

When comparing the two countries, Herselman said that Europe has an old fashioned patriarchal even chauvinistic view on life while South Africa is way ahead in empowering all different levels of people, including women in senior management. “South Africa is also ahead of Germany in terms of tourism service and quality. This says that we have a strength we must capitalise on in South Africa. We may have negative things such as crime and corruption, but Europeans love South Africa as it is affordable and beautiful, and they want to come to visit. The Tourism industry in South Africa must address the negative issues that could potentially stop tourists from visiting.”

He spoke about the cultural similarities and cultural shocks he experienced. He said that one thing that struck him when he got to Germany was the amount of love and pride that South Africans have for their country. “Europe is relatively small, but countries in Europe maintain their separate culture, their habits and language, but in South Africa we are diverse, we have the rainbow nation and 11 languages which is a strength. We also have individual cultures that we understand what it is about and embraces it. I know we have problems but in general, South Africans across Europe have their flags at the back of their cars and bicycles. When the Springboks (Bokke) play, people wear their shirts in pride and solidarity because they love their country. As for Germany, it does not have all that, it does not have national pride. When you get to South Africa, the first thing you see is a big smile, people are friendly and welcoming versus a German culture which is much more reserved and abrupt.”

Asked about his decision to relocate to Europe, Mr Herselman said, “what drove me was an itch to want to understand a few things about the world a little bit more and one of the places that tickled my curiosity for many years was Europe. The place is tiny, but it is so diverse. My life of travel is all about having stories, photos, and that is a little bit of why tourism is appealing to me. Tourism is a little bit linked to Mark Twain where he says travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

Mr Herselman was born and bred in South Africa, obtained his bachelor’s degree in Bloemfontein, and worked in the corporate sector in Pretoria. His typical type of travelling he did in South Africa was camping and when he was offered a lifetime opportunity to relocate to Europe through his wife’s work, he took it with an open mind. He said that life became a daily adventure, even a challenge as he was faced with new bureaucracy, a new language, no friends and hardly any braai - a culture that he grew to love in South Africa.

Dr Eben Proos, Lecturer in the department said the webinar provides the department with an opportunity to link the course content that is being offered in the classroom to that of the outside world. “Today’s webinar provides not just an opportunity to have a South African experience but one of international flair as well.”