Gauteng Guides Association

In South Africa, tourist guiding is a recognised profession with a defined career path. The Tourism Act No. 72 of 1993 defines a tourist guide as a “person who for reward, whether monetary or otherwise, accompanies any person who travels within the country or visits any place within the Republic and who furnishes such a person with information or comment with regard to any matter.”

Tourist guides constitute a vital link between the tourists and the country’s tourist attraction sites. Tourist guides, due to the unique position that they occupy in the tourism value chain, enhance the tourists’ experience and perception of the richness and diversity of our cultural and natural heritage through their commentary and interpretation. The professionalism, service quality and excellence of registered tourist guides elevate our country’s competitiveness as a must-see tourist destination.

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Training of Tourist Guides
Training of tourist guides is undertaken by accredited institutions. These training institutions are accredited by the Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA), a body set up in 2000 to ensure that effective education and training occurs that meets the current and future needs of the tourism sector. This is in line with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Act 1995, which drives the National Qualifications Framework ((NQF).The NQF reflects the new approach to education and training in South Africa post-1994.

Prospective tourist guides must complete the National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding at levels 2 and/or 4 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF is a nationally accepted structure or grid that classifies all qualifications in terms of their field and level of learning. For a list of all accredited institutions, the learner must call THETA on 011 803 6010 or visit their website at http://www.theta.org.za before enrolling with any training institution.

Registration as a Tourist Guide
The tourist guide first successfully completes training and/or recognition of prior learning (RPL) with an accredited institution. Then the guide registers with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) through the provincial tourism authorities. This is in terms of The Tourism Second Amendment Act No. 70 of 2000 (“the National Act”) assented on 13 December 2000 (Gazette No. 21886) which commenced on 01 October 2001 as well as the Regulations of the Act in respect of Tourist Guides published in the Regulation Gazette No. 22563 on 17 August 2001.

Tourist guides in South Africa fall into three broad categories comprising nature, culture and adventure guides. These categories in turn have three levels, reflecting the complexity and amount of learning required: site or specialist, regional or provincial and national levels. Tourist guides can only guide within the scope of the categories and levels for which they have qualified. In South Africa it is illegal to conduct guided tours without the requisite qualification.

After registration, the tourist guide receives an identity card and a badge which must be displayed at all times when conducting guided tours. Tourist guides have to renew their registration every two years.

Requirements for Registration

3.1 To register as a Tourist Guide:

Complete the application form
Sign the tourist guide Code of Conduct and Ethics
Submit a certified copy of your valid First Aid Certificate (recognised by the Department of Labour)
Include four recent, clear, identical, 30X25mm and full-colour photographs of yourself (showing only head and shoulders)
Pay the registration fee of R240-00 (inclusive of VAT) preferably in CASH or with a bank issued/guaranteed cheque (Cheques should be made out to: Gauteng Tourism Authority)
Submit a certified copy of your identity document
Submit a copy of your foreign language proficiency certificate (if applicable)
Submit a certified THETA Certificate confirming your training and assessment
Submit a copy of your work permit/passport (if applicable)
Submit a copy of your public driver’s permit, if you have one
Submit copies of your qualifications and curriculum vitae (optional)

The Tourist Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics

4.1 A Professional Tourist Guide SHALL:

Uphold the principles of the South African Constitution, especially chapters one and two
At all times show willingness to provide optimum support and quality service to all tourists, and will give tourists an opportunity to enjoy, or visit a desired destination
In no way discriminate in rendering service to any tourist on any basis, eg colour, gender, ethnicity, nationality, physical challenge, age, etc
Be impartial, unbiased and positive, and represent South Africa objectively
Be suitably dressed and presentable at all times
Be punctual, reliable, honest, conscientious and tactful at all times
Be a responsible driver, when driving as a guide
Barry out the programme / itinerary of a tour to his / her best abilities and be loyal to the company / organisation that he / she is representing
Deal with conflict in a sensitive and responsible manner
Report any incident of injury or death to a nearby tourist authority or police station
Be knowledgeable and shall assist tourists and not provide them with misleading information
In the event of not being familiar with, or being unable to provide information requested by a tourist, consult with the appropriate authorities for assistance
At no time be under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic substance, while on duty, and shall refrain from administering any medication to a client without proper medical consultation
Never solicit for clients or gratuities
Be concerned at all times for the safety of the tourist
Wear the appropriate tourist guide badge and will carry his/her registration card
Treat all people, cultures and the environment with respect

Finding your career in Tourist Guiding
South Africa as a tourism destination creates many opportunities for international and local tourists to experience the wealth of tourism assets and attractions available in our country. By choosing a career in tourist guiding you will contribute to the promotion of pride in the range of cultures, histories and voices of the peoples of Southern Africa.
Tourist guiding, as a career, is recognised as a key contributor to job creation within the tourism sector. There are essential links between the tourist-guiding sector and other tourism activities. These include encouraging the growth of regional tourism markets and routes; encouraging local communities to participate in tourist guiding; the development of rural communities; and the contribution to the development of a globally competitive tourism industry which keeps abreast of the changing needs of international tourism.
Tourist guiding is a very specialised field that requires in depth study and assessment of a particular area. In South Africa, guides are registered with the provincial tourism department – they may operate only in the area in which they have been trained and for which they have been registered.
Access
Access in to the career is guided by regulations for registration as tourist guide stating that you need to be 21 years old, a South African citizen, in possession of a valid first aid certificate and tourist guide qualification. Good English communication skills and an additional language would be an advantage.
Work Environment
Tourist guiding is regarded by most as seasonal employment that requires an interest in general knowledge, a love of history and knowledge of fauna, flora and cultures. Patience and tolerance are essential, as hours are long and you may be called on to deal with anything from a leaking tap to lost luggage.
Where can I work?
The majority of guides work for tour operators, however, others are self -employed or work for museums, game farms, national parks, & private reserves.

Career Opportunities
This is a diverse field that allows for a various area of specialisation.
There are three main categories of guides: those who work at a particular site, those who work in a region and those who work nationally. Within these main categories there are further areas of specialisation for tourist guides – nature, culture and adventure.
The following list will whet your appetite for the possibilities within guiding:

Types of Guiding
Nature Guiding includes
Tsitsikamma snorkel trails; Braille trail at Botanical Gardens; Caving; Beaches; Walking in forests; Bird guides; Natures reserves, Open vehicle field guides; Marine guides; Eco-access tourism for the disabled; Botanical gardens – tours to areas of flora within a city environment; (On foot) trail guides (wilderness game reserves); Tented and other wilderness trails; Horse trails in game reserves; Elephants and camel back safaris; underground interpretation of geology and significance of Cango Caves and Sterkfontein.

Culture Guiding includes
Story telling; Townships; Cultural experiences in rural areas; Guided tours in art, cultural, natural history, house, museums sites or other cultural heritage sites; Shebeen crawl – driving and drinking tour to townships; Living cultures; Natural heritage cultural sites; Information giving (take groups on walking tours of factories / educational campuses in a particular locality); Illustrate cultural elements at a homestead; Struggle site tours (Mandela route, Hector Peterson route, Robben Island etc.); Photographic interpretative (specialist, disabled); History and development of feather industry (ostriches); Restaurants – refreshment stations; Wine tours in and around wine estates / cellars; Explain wine-making techniques.

Adventure Guiding includes
Underground / underwater / in heritage sites such as caves, etc; Tiffendal – Skiing in South Africa; 4 x 4 guiding trails; Whale watching; Mountain climbing / hiking; Underwater trails; River rafting; Great White Sharks / Shark Guides; Scuba diving and spear fishing; Adventure guiding (abseiling, bungee jumping, kloofing); Sea kayaks

Qualifications and Registration
There are only two qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding (NQF2)
National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding (NQF4)
But several unit standards, within the different areas of specialisation, have been registered on the NQF.
In order for you to register as a site guide specialising in culture, nature, or adventure guiding you need different combinations of unit standards, these rules of combination can be accessed on the THETA web site.
If you want to register as a regional or national guide you need, as a minimum, the NQF4 qualification (Matric / Grade 12) plus the required unit standards for your area of specialisation – view these on the theta web site – www.theta.org.za

General
It is imperative that you check the requirements for registration of tourist guides with your provincial tourist guide registrar.
Any inquiries regarding qualifications and training providers should be directed to Theta.
For detailed information on careers, registered qualifications, names of accredited training providers / institutions and other career related information.
Please contact our offices on
Tel: 086 010 0221
Email: mummy@theta.org.za