The R20 million Emakhosini Valley project in Zululand had received a further R3.2 million to build a lodge for local and international tourists, Andrew Venter, the chief executive of the Wildlands Trust, said on Friday.
The additional funding has been sourced by the Wildlands Trust from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial marketing body; the Tourism Poverty Relief Fund in the provincial department of economic development and tourism; and the Kathleen Hastie Trust.
Venter said the project was kickstarted by the state when it bought farms covering 22 000ha in the Valley of the Kings area of Zululand.
"The other money has gone into the erection of fences in the game park, road construction and the introduction of game."
The Wildlands Trust, an independent fundraising and project management organisation, is inviting expressions of interest from the private sector for the management of the 24-bed lodge.
The area was identified by the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Council (Amafa), a parastatal responsible for maintaining the cultural heritage of the province.
The tourism site is expected to generate R2 million a year in direct revenue as well as an indirect benefit of more than R5 million a year.
Barry Marshall, a director at Amafa, said the project was structured in such a way that a development company would be formed to manage the project
"Amafa currently holds 51 percent of the project, and the other shareholding will be offered to Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and the Ngobezane and Nobamba traditional authorities neighbouring the game park," Marshall said.
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, the provincial conservation organisation, would be responsible for managing the environmental aspects of the development, and Amafa would deal with the cultural and historical aspects.
The two communities would be given interest-free loans, which would be repaid out of dividends from the lodge, he said.
"Some shares will also be offered to local people who want to participate in the project, but we have not yet concluded negotiations of how much shareholding will be offered."
Construction of the lodge is expected to start in June and the winning operator will be responsible for employing staff, furnishing and marketing.
Venter said up to 100 temporary jobs would be created during construction and a further 30 permanent jobs would be made once the lodge began operating.
"We will be looking for an operator with a good track record and the financial ability to operate and market the lodge.
"It must be committed to an affirmative employment charter and prioritise the local community for jobs and skills development," Venter said.
Publisher: Business Report
Source: Zobuzwe Ngobese
Emakhosini project gets R3.2m to build lodge.
Posted On Monday, 14 April 2003 02:00 Published by eProperty News
The R20 million Emakhosini Valley project in Zululand had received a further R3.2 million to build a lodge for local and international tourists, Andrew Venter, the chief executive of the Wildlands Trust, said on Friday.
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