17 April 2007
Programme director
MECs
Mayors
Ladies and gentlemen
When we developed our strategy to build Gauteng as a globally competitive city region, we said our ability to create quality jobs and sustainable livelihoods for our people depends in large measure on our ability to attract investment and tourism in our country. We said tourism provides significant opportunities for economic empowerment and to bridge the divide between the first and second economy.
Today's event marking the completion of the first phase of the Dinokeng Game Reserve is a milestone in our effort to build tourism, attract investment, create jobs and to spur economic growth to the required 8% by 2014. It is our hope that the completion of this game reserve will be a key catalyst in the economic revival of the entire Metsweding district.
The latest tourism statistics produced by South African Tourism indicate that foreign tourist arrivals to South Africa reached a record high of 7.4 million last year, which represents a 10.3% increase on the figures for 2004, and exceeds the estimated 5.5% average global growth rate in tourism.
Gauteng's share of this growth has remained constant at about 50% of all international tourists to South Africa and the share in domestic tourism stands at 20%. The majority of these domestic travelers (68%) are people visiting friends and relatives. The launch of this game reserve will help in ensuring that visitors to our province stay longer and experience some of our best attractions.
Having had the opportunity to fly over the entire reserve I have seen the kind of work that has been done to prepare this place to take its place as one of the key tourism destinations in our country offering diverse attractions.
This reserve was conceived as part of the Blue IQ initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government, which seeks to invest public resources in developing strategic areas of the provincial economy, to create opportunities which have long term benefits to the people of the province.
I recognise that the private sector has made major investments in land and facilities in the Dinokeng area. The investment by the Gauteng Provincial Government in infrastructure, government-to-government facilitation, public-private partnerships and in building a viable Dinokeng brand is designed to complement your investment.
Gauteng has a large urban population, a clustering of cities which are dynamic economic engines driving not only national and regional growth but they are also key drivers of the global economy. Dinokeng is part of this Global City Region - a place to break away from the urban buzz for meetings, conference and events and an ideal destination for leisure activities.
The work that has been done here so far is impressive. The construction of perimeter fence has been completed and apart from what you see here at Xombana Lodge, which opened in February this year, this phase of the Dinokeng Game Reserve already offers 268 catered bed nights as 18 sites (predominantly event and conference venues but with approximately 100 beds available for individual bookings); 160 beds for school groups in an adventure camp focusing on environmental education and leadership development; 2 restaurants; diverse day visitor activities- game drives, elephant rides, horse riding, hiking, quad biking, balloon rides and live music.
In addition cultural activities, township tours and shebeen routes in adjacent communities are already enjoying high patronage. This integration of township life into the overall Dinokeng tourism experience is crucial to the success of this game reserve.
It reinforces the decision we took as the Gauteng Provincial Government that we would not establish this game reserve by removing people from their land, and by destroying their livelihoods.
We took that decision because we recognise that we are building a new nation which is free from the painful experiences of the past. I am confident that game reserve and neighbouring communities will forge strong relationships, even though you are divided by a fence.
There are two proverbs from our languages that we need to think about carefully. One is that 'good fences make good neighbours.' The other is that 'motho ke motho ka batho.' We remain part of a community, even if we live behind fences, and we need to look after each other.
At this stage the internal fencing is being taken down and, with the recent approval of the MEC for Public Transport Roads and Works, MEC Ignatius Jacobs, for access control on public roads the way has been cleared for temporary gates to be erected to manage payment of gate entrance fees. In December we will be cutting the ribbon for the new permanent gates to the home of Dinokeng for free roaming game in Gauteng's Big 5 Game Reserve.
MEC Mashatile has told me that great progress is already being made with plans for expansion of the Dinokeng Game Reserve. I am pleased to inform you that agreement on areas of co-operation has been finalised with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and discussions are in progress with our counterparts in Limpopo, particularly involving communities whose land is in the process of being restored as part of the land restitution process. Minister Lekota has confirmed the co-use of military land in support of the Dinokeng Game Reserve.
I am also pleased to announce that a decision is pending on the vesting of certain state land with the Gauteng Provincial Government which, together with a further 3 300 hectares of private land we hope will constitute the 2nd phase of the Dinokeng Game Reserve and that this expansion is likely to be incorporated into the Dinokeng Game Reserve, initially as a plains game area, ahead of the opening of the permanent gates.
Adv Mahlathi of the Gauteng Tourism Authority is here together with other representatives of the tourism sector. The GTA has a mandate to create a world class provincial destination that will attract business tourists and leisure tourists. Consumer spending on tourism is the stimulus for local economic growth.
The development of Dinokeng is not just about building the economy of the Gauteng Province. The Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provincial Governments are committing huge resources towards the promotion of tourism among their poorest communities and the Gauteng Provincial Government is seeking ways to stimulate tourism trips to neighbouring areas in these provinces as well.
Just like you, I want people to know about unknown places like Rust de Winter, Leeuwkloof, Moretele and Elands Rivers, and other wild pleasures to be enjoyed in the neighbouring townships of Steve Bikoville and Hammanskraal.
I have noticed that Dinokeng is already developing a name for musical events, and that there will be a performance by Matthys Roets at this venue next month. I think this is a welcome development as it will put Dinokeng on the map as a prime place for fun, leisure and business conferencing in Gauteng.
Welcome to Dinokeng, the home of the Big 5 in the bustling city region of Gauteng.
I thank you.