The minister of tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi Ngubane, said her department has allocated R25 million to SANParks for the completion of an activity hub in Kruger National Park.
The minister mentioned this during her speech at the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting, which was held in Phalaborwa, Cajori Hotel, on Saturday 29 February.
The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality mayor, Merriam Malatji welcomed the stakeholders and guests at Minister’s Stakeholder Engagement.
The objective of this programme was to engage stakeholders on how best the tourism sector could be improved to become a competitive economy and a sustainable environment in Limpopo.
The engagement was hosted by the National Department of Tourism (NDT), supported by the Limpopo Provincial Government of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs as (LEDET) and the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (BPM).
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The mayor, Merriam Malatji, said that the municipality was ready to work hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders, particularly SAPS, who have been mandated to increase visibility at identified tourist attraction sites.
“Just a few months ago, around December, we had an incident at Silonque where tourists were attacked, so it’s becoming increasingly important to maintain a safe environment,” stated the mayor.
She also stated that the development of the tourism industry in Ba-Phalaborwa comes against the backdrop of the decline of the mining industry activities. “The life spans are declining and therefore calling for an alternative economy for our people,” she stated.
“What is also exciting is that the R700 million ten-year plan will partly go to bulking up municipal infrastructure. An efficient system of basic services is at the heart of a strong tourism supporting infrastructure. The moment your roads, basic services and communications are in order, half the battle is won,” she mentioned.
The mayor further explained that this was one of the best times to be in Phalaborwa.
“As we round off the Marula Festival this weekend, let it be known that we have been a destination of choice for thousands of patrons from all over the world. Our small and medium enterprises (SMME) have had an opportunity to expand their portfolios in the provision of services,” she stated.
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“Our young people have learned a number of skills. Most importantly, our people have come together to celebrate the marula tree in all its diversity,” she explained.
The programme was graced by among others, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Thabo Andrew Mokone, Ba-Phalaborwa municipal executive committee members and municipal manager, Maite Moakamela, and as well as delegation from various tourism sectors.
