The North West government is calling on all businesses involved in tourism to join hand with the tourism department in order to make the North West a preferred tourist destination and contribute positively to the local and national economy. This is according to the Tourism MEC Desbo Mohono during the Tourism Stakeholder Engagement session held on Wednesday, as part of the 20 years celebration of developmental achievements by the Bakgatlha ba Kgafela tribal administration in Moruleng village in the Moses Kotane Municipality.
According to MEC Mohono, the Agriculture, Culture and Tourism sectors have been identified as the three pillars of economic development and Job creation in the North West Province. “We will be embarking on tourism makgotla across the province in order to identify potential opportunities with specific focus on village tourism products. This will ultimately assist government to achieve its intended goal of economic development and job creations,” said MEC Mohono.
Mohono further encouraged the Bakgatla administration to consider reviving other old activities that attracted local tourism such as Sedibelo Cultural festival, and also identify other old monumental buildings such as the now refurbished local church which is said to be over 125 years old. She said that the gesture will attract popular international and national annual events. “We need to package the rich cultural background of the Bakgatla in such a way that we are able to sell and market it to the international communities,” she said.
MEC Mohono further encouraged the youth to venture into Tourism as the industry is also a viable in job creation.
She endorses the achievements by the rich tribal council in the past 20 years of freedom and democracy.
Meanwhile the King of the Bakgatla ba Kgafela, Nyalala Pilane said that his administration is prepared work together with government in branding and marketing Cultural, religious, mining and health tourism products in his villages.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane
Tel: 018 388 2081
Cell: 072 542 8444
E-mail: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
