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 This is a community-based eco-tourism project which offers both wildlife and cultural experiences in nine fully-operational camps, spread within the province's 'golden horseshoe'. The objectives of this project are to develop tourism and to involve the community to become not only participants but also beneficiaries. Currently there are 45 specially trained people from the community working on the project as field guides, camp managers and admin/office workers.
Poverty Relief Projects In Progress
All three projects were initiated under the government’s poverty relief programme, rolled out by the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and implemented in conjunction with local communities by the Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA). Each falls within the category of community-initiated tourism products. In other words, these projects represent opportunities which poor rural communities identified and then developed with government funding and support. Although the aim of the projects is obviously to create employment and generate income for impoverished rural communities, it’s also to empower these same communities by means of training and capacity-building, and to give them access to, and ownership of, sustainable tourism-related enterprises.
Amashangaan Game Ranch
The objective was to erect a Big Five game fence around a section of community-owned land bordering the Sabie Sand Game Reserve to ultimately create a community-owned game ranch, which could be developed and operated in conjunction with the private sector. The project only initialised in March 2005 due to community disputes regarding the exact area to be fenced-in (the area had been used for cattle farming previously). Once the community had agreed, LIBSA was able to professionally survey the area and draw envisaged boundaries.
During the current financial year, LIBSA will initiate (from June - August 2005), the preparation of fence plans and specifications; the compilation of Bills of Quantities; the preparation and advertising of tender documents (and the warding thereof). During the period September 2005 - February 2006, construction will commence.
Hatsama Dam Cultural Village
The objective was to develop visitor accommodation in the form of a cultural village around the Hatsama Dam at Giyani. The project was approved in 2001 at a budget of R 1.28 m. The project is near completion and will offer 4-bed chalet accommodation to dam visitors. During the current financial year, LIBSA will ensure that parking is built, water and electricity supplied, fire protection implemented and the chalets furnished.
Blouberg Cultural Village and Hiking Trail
The objective was to develop overnight facilities in the form a cultural village and to offer a hiking trail and hiking hut for visitors to the scenic Blougerg area. A budget of R 1.895m was approved for the project in 2001 and the project is near completion, offering 6 accommodation units. During the current financial year, LIBSA will ensure the purchase of furniture and the construction of overnight accommodation for hikers.
Training Project
In April 2005, LIBSA selected 18 women from the six districts of Limpopo who showed a keen interest in mining. Afridiamond, a training company accredited by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) has been contracted by LIBSA to train the group to specialise in diamond mining. The group has already completed an advanced diamond mining course and evaluation, and has formed a constitution called Lewomi. Currently Lewomi is actively involved in six diamond mining projects with different strategic partners throughout the country
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