Local Economic Development in Mozambique - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 10

level jobs, such as cleaners and bar staff, which hinders their opportunities for
wealth advancement (SNV Mozambique, 2006). There have been increases in
employment but these are predominantly for low waged jobs where there is little
possibility for advancement (Spenceley and Rogza, 2007). This is reflected in
Rogerson's analysis of South Africa, he states that ' apart from the job opportunities
created for black employees, the prime beneficiaries of this local tourism-led economic
development process have been a set of white-owned tourism businesses ' (2002, p161).
One private sector organization in Nampula province reported that they were no
longer employing members from the local community because they were 'steal-
ing' and instead favoured people from Zambezia province as they were 'more
honest'.
Despite the above, there are attempts by NGOs to provide some training for
local community members who want to access the tourism market. In Nacala,
ADPP, a national association in Mozambique, runs the Escola de Artes e Oficíos
(EAO) Nacala, running a one-year professional training in tourism and catering.
To date, more than 475 professionals have graduated from the programme.
There is little government involvement in the training of local community
members so that they can access the tourist market. Instead responsibility is often
deferred to LED Associations working in the area or to apprentice-based learning
schemes from the private lodges and reserves (Spenceley and Rozga, 2007).
Currently, the IFC Global Business School Network is considering the develop-
ment of a Tourism Training Network where Mozambicans can learn skills in
hospitality and business development (Spenceley and Rozga, 2007). Bendick and
Egan (1993) argue that ' community development policies centring on programs for
education and training of the smaller, more ethnically diverse future labor force … will
be the preconditions for effective local economic development ' (in Clarke and Gaile,
1998, p202). Therefore, by not providing training or expertise to local communi-
ties, the government automatically reduces their long-term economic growth.
Language remains a constraint to local economies accessing the marketplace.
Of the total annual arrivals in 2003, only 7.5 per cent were from Portugal, whereas
67 per cent were from South Africa (SPTDM, 2004, pv). Therefore, language
constitutes a large barrier to entry for entrepreneurial businesses, as it is extremely
difficult to break into the market when one cannot communicate with potential
customers. Although Portuguese is the official language, it is rarely spoken in rural
areas, further separating communities from the tourism market. The government
has identified the need for capacity building and training but there remains little
government action. Without policies and investment to reverse this barrier, it
essentially excludes the vast majority of the country from participating and
benefiting.
Consequently, it is evident that the government has failed to provide a
competitive environment for investment and a commitment to pro-poor growth.
The constraints on small businesses and communities accessing the tourist indus-
try remain prominent. However, NGOs and associations have begun to address
human capital concerns through training and knowledge-sharing, which will
assist in lowering the barriers to entry for local economies.