| The inaugural Sedibeng Tourism Awards was held on 20 April 2010 at the Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre in Vanderbijlpark. The awards, aimed at local tourism and hospitality businesses in the Sedibeng region, recognised service excellence and gave due appreciation to these businesses for achieving high standards in the tourism industry. The evening attracted high profile attendance from major tourism stakeholders in Gauteng Province as well as Sedibeng.
The event was attended and addressed by the Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality, Cllr. Mahole Simon Mofokeng who said, “it is interesting and encouraging to note that the Sedibeng Tourism Awards programme is the inaugural event of its kind to recognise service excellence in the tourism industry and encourage local tourism and hospitality businesses in our Region to keep achieving high standards… It is no coincidence therefore, that these awards are for Service Excellence. Sedibeng District, while not a Host City, has a very critical role to play in the nature and successful execution of the 2010 FIFA World Cup mandate: To provide base - camp facilities for the three nations that will be participating in the World Cup and accommodate thousands of visitors who will flock to our area during this period.”
The Executive Mayor for Emfuleni Local Municipality, Cllr. Sithole Assistance Mshudulu was also present to address the guests and Councillors and officials of the Sedibeng District Municipality and its Local Municipalities of Emfuleni, Lesedi and Midvaal were also in attendance. The awards were presented in a total of eight categories. The winners in the different categories were:
| Category |
Winner |
| Arts & Crafts |
Botle Ba Ma-Afrika |
| Tour Operator |
A Team Tours |
| Tour Guide |
Sesola Travel & Tours |
| Food & Beverage |
Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre |
| Outdoor & Leisure |
Stonehaven on Vaal |
| Conferencing |
Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre |
| Guesthouses and B&Bs |
Vaalnest Boutique Hotel |
| Hotels |
Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club |
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The MC for the evening was Lillian Dube and the evening was characterized by a positive spirit which testified that the Sedibeng Tourism finds itself in a condition of healthy competition and camaraderie.
At midnight the arrival of the 50 days to kick off of the Soccer World Cup was celebrated with a countdown and the Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality, Cllr. Mahole Simon Mofokeng ceremoniously opening up a large box filled with helium balloons amid great fanfare.
The Sedibeng Tourism Awards will serve as a tool to promote the Sedibeng region as a preferred tourist destination. The awards will provide an annual platform to showcase the region’s commitment towards the development and promotion of quality facilities and service standards. Furthermore the awards will assist the finalists and winners to position their products and services in the tourism market in turn drawing customers.
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