New 3-star lodge opens near KNP’s Pafuri gate
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Maggie Sotyu applauded the communities of Ha-Mutele, Bileni and Tshikhuyu in Masisi near the Kruger National Park's Pafuri gate for taking the necessary steps to improve their lives.
LIMPOPO – “We want other communities to learn from them. You can start your own community projects, which can create jobs and government could fund them further. It is not good that communities blame the government for not providing them with jobs, whereas they can create jobs themselves,” said Sotyu.
She was speaking last Friday at the official opening of the three-star, Awelani Eco Lodge in Ha-Mutele, situated approximately 11 km west of the Kruger National Park’s Pafuri gate.
The lodge has the capacity to accommodate 54 guests in game reserve style and has a 150-seater conference centre.
Awelani Eco Lodge was established in 2005 as an idea by the communities of Ha-Mutele, which made 1 800 hectares of its land available for conservation and tourism projects in order to address the high unemployment rate among residents.
The area has high tourism potential taking it consideration its close proximity to the Kruger National Park.
According to Sotyu, the Vhembe District Municipality in 2005 funded the project and eventually a further R10 million was injected during the opening, and government has thus invested over R47 million to develop and upkeep the lodge.
“To date, 23 people from the Mutele community are permanently employed, with additional casual staff appointed on a contract basis.
“Local contractors are used for services such as repairs and maintenance, plumbing, as well as cultural activities such as performing traditional dances and preparing traditional foods for international tourists visiting the lodge,” added Sotyu.
The Chairperson of Awelani Eco Lodge, Albert Ramufhi said they appreciated government’s involvement and for injecting some funds which can go a long way in re-stocking of animals such as impala and kudu from the Kruger National Park.
He said through government funding, they want to promote their communities in villages with small projects such as bricklaying, poultry and goat-farming to help fight unemployment.
Vhembe Mayor, Dowelani Nenguda said as for the official opening of the lodge, the district donated three vehicles and a tractor, which will go a long way in improving their business.
