An expert on the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields and a former Director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism are the two guest speakers at the annual general meeting of the Howick-uMngeni Community Tourism Organisation on Thursday, July 17.
Evan Jones has been a specialist battlefields guide since 1991 and a tour operator since 1996. He also qualified as a tourist guide for the Free State and Northern Cape, and was the first South African to be accepted as a member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. He was the chairman of Dundee Tourism for two terms and for the past three years has been chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields Route.
His illustrated talk is on the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, with the emphasis on the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.
Melanie Veness has been the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business for the past three years, but for nine years prior to that she was the Director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism. She also served as chairperson of the Community Tourism Association of KwaZulu-Natal and was president of Skal International KZN Midlands.
She currently chairs the Chamber CEOs Forum at the S.A. Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SACCI), sits on the SACCI Board and the KZN Economic Council, and is chairperson of the local branch of the S.A. Institute of International Affairs. She also serves on the SAIIA national council. She is currently a semi-finalist in a competition to find Africa's Most Influential Woman in Business and Government.
Melanie's topic is "Tourism as a Key Pillar of Economic Development."
The venue for the HUCTO AGM, starting at 5-30 p.m., is the Yellowwood Café conference centre on the Karkloof road. Snacks will be served and there will be a cash bar.
The cost is R50 per person and attendees should RSVP before July 15 to the HUCTO Secretary, Lorraine Bryant, at 033-3306192 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.