Bogus tour guides jeopardise 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.

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.

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.

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. 

Nelson advised guides concerned about illegal operators to report them so that the department can investigate. The department can also conduct awareness campaigns on the implications of using illegal guides,” she said.

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