News

RURAL B&B TO BOOST TOURISM IN LIMPOPO

26 January 2009

Tzaneen - Construction workers are completing the final phase of a bed and breakfast in Muhlava village near Tzaneen in Limpopo which boasts five chalets and an exhibition centre.

The facility, which has been built in a rural village and aims to cater for tourists visiting South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is scheduled to open next month.

The opening ceremony will be attended by officials from the Irish Embassy, whose country is funding the project at a cost of R15 million.

Project facilitator Elvis Ntlwane said the project would help fight poverty as many villagers would be employed as cleaners and cooks, while local crafters, dancers and story tellers will be able to showcase their skills at the facility.

"Local sangomas would also benefit from the project," said Mr Ntlwane, adding that they would become a special feature for tourists.

He urged the local community to look after the project and protect it from vandals.

The Irish government is also funding the building of cultural villages in Thabina, Sekgopo and Modjadji villages, as well as a township tour project in Nkowankowa outside Tzaneen.

The five projects are located less than 100km from Polokwane, a city which will host some of the World Cup matches.

Meanwhile, a database of crafters, artists and tourism businesses in Limpopo's Lowveld area is being put together.

The R850 000 Heritage-based Arts, Crafts and Tourism Project, which is based in Haenertsburg outside Polokwane, aims to reach as many as 200 pottery and jewellery entrepreneurs, 100 traditional musicians, poets, performers and story-tellers, 15 woodcarvers and basket weavers, 25 tour guides, and 25 village tourism enterprises.

"We have made a lot of progress and we expect the database to be completed before the end of this year," said project manager Michael Gardner.

He said the beneficiaries would also be trained and assisted to improve and market their products.

The project is funded by the provincial government, the Mopani district municipality, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the European Union. - BuaNews