Middelburg – Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane has directed that the Viewing Deck at Waterval Boven should be refurbished as a matter of urgency, as one of the quick wins, in order to resuscitate tourism in the historic town.
Mr Kholwane said this today (26 January 2016) during the meeting with tourism representatives of the Nkangala District and eMakhazeni Local Municipalities to discuss the fast-tracking of the implementation of the Waterval Boven Tourism Resuscitation Plan. The meeting was also attended by the Acting Head of Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Jacob Mgidi and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Mr Abe Sibiya.
This follows the MEC’s recent visit to Waterval Boven (Mgwenya) to check the condition of tourism products in the area, after concerns were raised by the public that attractions were dilapidating at a fast rate due to the lack of maintenance.
“I recently visited Mgwenya or Waterval Boven as it is known, to check the state of the tourism attractions in the area, and I was not pleased by their current condition due to lack of maintenance. The viewing deck is also in a sorry poor state and requires attention as a matter of urgency. I have met with all these relevant stakeholders led by the MMC of Local Economic Development at the District Municipality, Councillor Radebe, to find immediate solution and resuscitation of tourism in the Waterval Boven area”, explained MEC Kholwane.
“As the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, we have the responsibility to co-ordinate tourism activities in the Province in order to stimulate tourism and economic growth. We must therefore, working with the MTPA, lead and provide guidance in this area of our work”, added Mr Kholwane.
A Project Team comprising all relevant stakeholders has been formed to finalise a Comprehensive Tourism Resuscitation Plan for the area.
“The Waterval Boven area has got a rich history which we could exploit and leverage on it, and come up with tourism products which could propel tourism in the area”, concluded the MEC.
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Issued by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism
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