Volume: 13  Number: 5  Page: 468–485

Race, Space and ‘Our Own Piece of Africa’: Doing Good in Luphisi Village?

Peter M. Burns and Simone Barrie Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton, UK

This paper explores tourism as a tool for rural regeneration and poverty reduction by examining the work of Non-Governmental and Community-Based Organisations (NGOs/ CBOs) in South Africa. A case study of Luphisi village on the edge of Kruger National Park provides a close insight into the operation and benefits of NGO/CBO sponsored charitable works and self help (‘upliftment’ in Southern African development circles). The paper also identifies an unwarranted sense of ‘proprietorship’ on the part of individual donors that resonate of slightly patronising attitudes. The research was carried out in and around the village and the paper relies heavily on the authentic voice of key informants.

Keywords: pro-poor tourism, tourism and poverty reduction strategies, tourism and NGOs, tourism and race, post-colonialism, rural development

© 2005 P.M.Burns & S. Barrie

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