TRUTH TOURS INTERNATIONAL (1997 to 2018) & SHARPEVILLE TRUTH TOURS (2023 Onward)
Truth Tours International was established in 1997 after a year long struggle at the not funded Sharpeville Resource Centre [founded by Gamakhulu Diniso & Nicho Ntema] which housed and hosted the long running Truth Exhibition, that depicted the history of Sharpeville like never before. The visit by a group from Global Exchange; a rights group from San Francisco in the USA to Sharpeville for the 1996 Sharpeville Massacre PAC Rally at the George Thabe Stadium, also boosted the idea to start the first black tourism company in Sharpeville and the entire Vaal Region.
The initiative was made possible by funding from Samancor Foundation [later known as Gencor Development Trust, Billiton Development Trust and currently known as BHP Billition Development Trust] and support from Vaal Triangle Technikon’s Travel and Tourism Department with motivation from the Office of the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs; Professor Kotie Grove.
The initiative has been very instrumental and critical of the way the Sharpeville Memorial was established, marketed and maintained. The monument was eventually launched on the 21st of March 2002, after three years of political differences but Truth Tours International continued to use it as the destination of choice.
Truth Tours International, through its merchandise subsidiary: Sharpeville International, developed a Sharpeville-based 60th Anniversary Commemorative Calendar, as part of its tourism awareness initiative and promotion of Sharpeville as a tourist destination.
Truth Tours International was recommended by the Gauteng Tourism Authority to assist the Vaal Tourism Agency due to its visibility as a progressive tourism initiative in the Vaal, in rolling out a tourism development program within the Sedibeng District. Vaal Tourism Agency refused the intervention and soon disappeared on the tourism radar with massive financial losses.
Truth Tours International was the preferred tours operator for the Vaal Triangle Tecnikon as well as the Lekoa Vaal Metropolitan Council and played a crucial role during the establishment of the Tilburg Lekwa Vaal Twinning Association.
Nicho Ntema; Truth Tours International founder, served on the Emfuleni Tourism Association Executive Committee, the Sedibeng Interim Regional Tourism Organisation’s Executive Committee and also served as a Local Service Provider for the development and launch of the Vaal Birding Route.
Truth Tours International operated sporadic tours for international tourists since Thursday the 21 March 1996 including The Gandhi Legacy Tour Sharpeville Fixture, The Tilburg Lekoa Vaal Twinning Association and many others up to June 2018.
The initiative was made possible by funding from Samancor Foundation [later known as Gencor Development Trust, Billiton Development Trust and currently known as BHP Billition Development Trust] and support from Vaal Triangle Technikon’s Travel and Tourism Department with motivation from the Office of the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs; Professor Kotie Grove.
The initiative has been very instrumental and critical of the way the Sharpeville Memorial was established, marketed and maintained. The monument was eventually launched on the 21st of March 2002, after three years of political differences but Truth Tours International continued to use it as the destination of choice.
Truth Tours International, through its merchandise subsidiary: Sharpeville International, developed a Sharpeville-based 60th Anniversary Commemorative Calendar, as part of its tourism awareness initiative and promotion of Sharpeville as a tourist destination.
Truth Tours International was recommended by the Gauteng Tourism Authority to assist the Vaal Tourism Agency due to its visibility as a progressive tourism initiative in the Vaal, in rolling out a tourism development program within the Sedibeng District. Vaal Tourism Agency refused the intervention and soon disappeared on the tourism radar with massive financial losses.
Truth Tours International was the preferred tours operator for the Vaal Triangle Tecnikon as well as the Lekoa Vaal Metropolitan Council and played a crucial role during the establishment of the Tilburg Lekwa Vaal Twinning Association.
Nicho Ntema; Truth Tours International founder, served on the Emfuleni Tourism Association Executive Committee, the Sedibeng Interim Regional Tourism Organisation’s Executive Committee and also served as a Local Service Provider for the development and launch of the Vaal Birding Route.
Truth Tours International operated sporadic tours for international tourists since Thursday the 21 March 1996 including The Gandhi Legacy Tour Sharpeville Fixture, The Tilburg Lekoa Vaal Twinning Association and many others up to June 2018.