The former railway hamlet of Alicedale outside Port Elizabeth will host President Thabo Mbeki, international investors and senior government officials for the first of two meetings this year of the International Investment Council.
The Presidency confirmed on Sunday that the three-day IIC meeting starting on Friday would take place at the Bushman Sands hotel and golf complex, which was developed as part of a public-private partnership three years ago.
"All international and South African investors will converge for the meeting," Matshepo Seedat said.
Adrian Gardiner, the founder of the Mantis Collection, the owner and leading shareholder in Bushman Sands, declined to comment.
Shamwari Game Reserve, another of the Mantis Collection's properties, hosted the IIC in 2003.
Mbeki established the IIC in 2000 to draw on the insight of international business leaders on how to meet South Africa's growth and development challenges.
The last IIC meeting, which focused on economic development, opportunities for investment and the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa), was held at Pezula Hotel in George last October.
Last May the IIC meeting was held at Mount Grace Hotel and Spa in Magaliesburg.
That meeting considered job creation and the implementation of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) was discussed.
Once a moribund junction town, the development of Bushman Sands has seen the area blossom with the sale of plots along a new 18-hole golf course.
SA Rugby and Gardiner last year announced plans to set up a new rugby academy in the town, but no further detail on the project has yet emerged.
The council's aim is to "draw upon the wisdom and insights of distinguished international business leaders on how to meet the challenges of economic growth and development in South Africa", his website states.
These council members interact twice a year with the President, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
Eastern Province Herald
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge