A contract between the developers of an ambitious theme park project and the government of the Netherlands was signed yesterday, indicating the handing over of R1,3-million in project funding for a feasibility study.

Representatives from the project developer Latar Entertainment Projects, South African civil engineering and construction group Stewart Scott International and the Vice-Ambassador of the Netherlands, David Zeverijn signed the contract in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The feasibility study is on the planned development of a R4-billion African theme park, along the lines of Disneyland.

The project, called Africa ‘The Park’ will be constructed on a 630-ha site within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Wand boundaries and close to the Johannesburg International Airport, in Kempton Park.

Africa ‘The Park’ has been in the pipeline for over eight years, with extensive research and background work being done behind the scenes.

The former Kempton Park municipality called for private investors to suggest ideas in order to uplift an area that has not seen much benefit from other tourism initiatives in Johannesburg.

Senior vice-president and chairperson of Latar Entertainment Hans Deuze said Kempton Park had wanted some recognition.

Hielke van der Maal, Latar Entertainment’s CEO came up with the idea of an African theme park.

“There is no theme park on the entire African continent and the idea took some time for people to grasp,” Deuze said.

“That is why it has taken eight years to get from the original inception of the idea and the conducting of a feasibility study.”

Once the feasibility study is complete, which is expected to be by December this year, the funding for the project will be obtained.

Deuze said that there are sufficient financiers.

Stewart Scott’s director of international business, Hans Lodder, confirmed that the company has spoken with a number of financiers, including the Industrial Development Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

The DBSA has reportedly agreed in principle to finance the infrastructure development of Africa ‘The Park‘.

“We have also spoken with two or three black economic empowerment (BEE) companies,” said Deuze.

“It is crucial for us to have BEE investors in order for us to be sensitive to political and labour issues.”

It is expected that the project will create 15 000 permanent jobs, with an estimated 100 000 people benefiting from the project.

The park will have a capacity of about three-million visitors a year and Latar expects that, of these visitors, 70% will be local, 20% African and 10% from overseas.

There will be three sections to the theme park. Africa ‘The Park’ will focus on the African continent and will be divided into African Adventures, African Discovery and African Friendship.

The second and third parts of the park will be the Sesame Street Water Park and Space Port Africa.

Other attractions will include a 1 500-stand real-estate development, an 18-hole golf course designed by the Gary Player group and a wellness centre.

The entire park will be themed according to the cultures of the 53 African countries and will serve an edutainment function.

There will be no wildlife or casino.

The grand opening of the park is scheduled for October 10, 2008, in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.