The development, which will be called the Africa Theme Park Resort, is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Dutch-born Hans Deuze, of Pretoria-based Latar Entertainment Projects, the developer of the project, says a feasibility study funded largely by the Dutch government has been completed.

The resort, which will be situated close to Johannesburg International Airport, will consist of three different areas: Africa The Park, Spaceport Africa and a water park.

The plan also includes three hotels, an "Africa" residential estate complex, a conference and convention centre, a health spa, and 51ha of retail facilities and private housing.

Among the companies conducting the feasibility study are Dutch engineering firm DHV and South African firms Stewart Scott International, Africon, Rock Environment, Tino Ferero and Smit Sewgoolam.

According to DHV’s in-house publication, the feasibility study covered the environmental, structural engineering, financial and economic aspects of the project and concluded that it was viable in every respect.

Deuze says the project was the brainchild of Dutchman Hielke van der Maal who has been based in SA for 20 years.

Van der Maal initiated the project in 1997 and Deuze came to SA in 2003 to work on the project.

Previously Deuze lived in France, where he worked for Disneyland Paris.

The theme park will cover an area of 613ha.

He says the project has to be ready by 2008 so that it can "gear up" for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and obtain the necessary crowd control experience.

"This project will generate 6000 direct jobs and 24000 indirect jobs," says Deuze.

He says an economic impact assessment conducted by KPMG indicates that 140000 permanent jobs will be generated through the project.

"We are very close to Tembisa so we have a labour source next door," says Deuze.

Although the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a boon for the resort, it will not be dependent on foreigners to make it viable.

He says foreign tourists were excluded from the original business model for the project.

"We based the business model on the local tourism market (which) will carry the project. Foreign tourists and the Soccer World Cup are the cherries on top," says Deuze.

Africa The Park will consist of three areas called African Nations, African Adventures and African Experience.

All 53 African country cultures will be represented in the African Nations area with their cultures, music traditions, fashion and food being showcased.

The African Experience area will showcase Africa’s riches including its minerals and the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, while African Adventures will provide entertainment in the form of amusement rides.

Spaceport Africa will feature all things astronomical but focus on travelling, exploring and living in outer space.

The water park will feature a wave pool for children.

Deuze says the resort will also focus on underprivileged children and AIDS orphans by allowing them special access.

He says all three parks will be centred on a night-life entertainment centre including bars, restaurants, cinemas and live stages, among other things.

Deuze says Latar Entertainment Projects is in negotiations with local developers.

Construction of the theme park is expected to begin towards the end of this year.