A multi-million rand Khoisan cultural centre with a rock art museum, bar and restaurant and conference facilities able to house 600 delegates, is on the cards for the scenic Horseshoe Valley near Cambridge.

David Day, who owns a 20-hectare property tucked between a horseshoe bend in the Nahoon River, said the R30 million development plan, called Emaweni Lifestyle Centre, is aimed at creating a tourist attraction for business and leisure visitors to East London.

"Emaweni will be based on a bed-and-breakfast model, not a hotel. The accommodation units will be built in a natural setting around the conference centre and restaurant.

"We are planning a gymnasium and a driving range, as well as nature walks and rock climbing. The idea is to have it as a home away from home for business people coming to the area," he said.

Day added that the site was ideally situated to cash in on tourists travelling to East London.

The development?s black economic empowerment partner, Gino del Fava, said once the development kicked off it would benefit the nearby Cambridge township.

"This could see us building a kindergarten and HIV/Aids wellness centre in the community," said Del Fava, who represents the KwaSisonke empowerment group.

Day said that once completed, the development would create about 70 permanent jobs.

But he added that the entire development hinged on securing funding.

"We have recently applied with numerous funding institutions and hope to start the development soon.

"We have been planning it for the past three years," Day said.

Daily Dispatch