A total of R537 million (€32.4m) has been earmarked for investment in tourism infrastructure projects by the Department of Tourism.

This was highlighted by the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi–Ngubane, during her Budget Vote address to the National Council of Provinces yesterday (June 1).

“To effect the implementation of these projects, the Department entered into a partnership agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa in November 2020 to implement and manage the delivery of its infrastructure projects, including procurement processes,” she explained, noting that, over the next three years, the R573m would be spent on infrastructure projects that were contained in the Infrastructure Programme Implementation Plan.

“We have prioritised the implementation of just over 100 tourism infrastructure initiatives across the nine provinces,” said the Minister, noting that her department would continue to enhance South Africa’s visitor experience, while seeking to advance broader ownership, especially by communities.

Community tourism projects

“With a focus largely on Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD), thirty community-based tourism projects will be implemented across various provinces. The objective of this work is to stimulate tourism growth and economic opportunities,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.

She said compliance certificates for community projects would be handed over to projects that had been completed.

These include Lehurutshe Bird and Trophy Hunting owned by the Bakgatla ba Lencoe Trust in the North West Province, Isibhubhu project owned by King Goodwill Cultural Development Trust in KwaZulu Natal, and Muzi Pan Project owned by Kwa Jobe Community Trust in KwaZulu Natal.

Provincial attractions

Work is under way on maintenance and beautification of provincial state-owned attractions. The focus of this work is on improving and upgrading experiences at key tourism sites such as at World Heritage Sites, national heritage sites, national parks, botanical gardens and rural or township precincts.

“A first step in the process would need to be a detailed maintenance assessment,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.

Product enhancement

The projects will also focus on product enhancement at local community museums that will include Anton Lembede Museum at eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal; McGregor Museum in the Northern Cape; AmaHlubi Cultural Heritage in KwaZulu Natal; Sol Plaatjie Museum and Lehurutshe Liberation Heritage Museum, both in the North West province

Coastal and marine initiatives

Infrastructure initiatives on the Indi-Atlantic Route – as part of the department’s coastal and marine tourism initiatives – include the architectural designs and construction for Orange River Mouth (Northern Cape), Hole in the Wall (Eastern Cape) and Harold Johnson Nature Reserve (KwaZulu Natal).

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