Mojor Mpumalanga Investment Projects Attract Potential Investors

A joint initiative between the dedet, MEGA and MTPA with strong support from the national Department of Tourism and a number of other stakeholders saw the successful conclusion of its Tourism and Infrastructure Summit for 2011, on the 22 February held at Skukuza Camp, Kruger National Park.

The objective was to get Mpumalanga on the global map as a competitive, business-friendly investment destination, to make available a platform for investors to meet with global business and political leaders, and discuss how to leverage the success of the 2010 World Cup in order to fast track the province’s tourism and investment linkages to create more jobs.

MEC MN Mokoena during his welcome address stated that, “Tourism is one of the leading economic sectors in Mpumalanga, one of South Africa’s top five regional contributors to GDP, and a critical player in efforts to create jobs and poverty alleviation. It is identified as a job driver in Government’s latest job creation blue print, the New Growth Path. Tourism is to create as many jobs as possible in the next ten years, through an emphasis on tourism infrastructure and focused strategy.”

Packages of projects were presented to the potential investors, giving them a picture of the current infrastructure plans, mainly in the tourism sector. Of the 15 projects presented, the province aims to develop a Blyde Cable Car, transporting tourists from the top of the canyon to the peninsula in the middle of Blyde Dam. They also seek to develop the Byde Skywalk, a project that will take place at God’s Window, allowing visitors a view of the Lowveld. The skywalk is a cantilevered glass walkway that protrudes from an elevated view point giving 360 degrees panoramic view. Another exciting project is the development of a World Class theme/ Amusement Park which will be located in the Loskop Area which will create 2000 direct jobs and 6000 indirect jobs.

The projects in question are conservatively valued in excess of R3 billion. The job creation opportunities linked to those projects are estimated to create between 50,000 – 100,000 jobs for the province.

As the Summit drew to a close, Geoffrey Lipman, Ai Advisory Board member, UN World Tourism, said; “This is an ideal time for African tourism investment, coming off the back of an incredibly successful FIFA 2010 and heading into a decade where the global leadership focus will be on green growth and low carbon operations. Africa is perfectly placed to capitalize on this because its tourism product is environmentally and socially grounded.”

The Summit attracted high-level delegates including the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe, Hon. Eng W. Mzembi, and Minister of Mozambique, Hon. Fernando Sumbana.

Summit sponsors and partners include the dedet, MEGA, MTPA, CNN, Fedhasa, Retosa and Trade Invest Africa.

Mr. Blessing Manale, Deputy Director- General, Maputo Corridor said, “As from 1 April, we need to unlock government funds, and complete outstanding business plans, and the appropriate development approvals (land acquisitions, EIAs etc). We need to line up our systems and institutional planning to ensure that this process does not lose momentum.”