Since the beginning of September, different districts within the province have been visited to explore and experience different tourist attractions as part of tourism month celebrations. The month long programme ended in Fezile Dabi District in a small town of Koppies when the MEC for Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mamiki Qabathe officially opened new chalets at Koppies Dam Nature Reserve on the 29th September 2012.
MEC Qabathe officially opened 10 new fully furniture wooden chalets which have a view of the dam and the following elements are also upgraded: 2 staff houses, 1 entrance gate, electricity, erection of fence and ablution blocks on shoreline.
Koppies Dam Nature Reserve is popular during festive seasons for picnics and parties. Because of its other special features, people come to the reserve for activities like fishing, game watching and bird watching. In this reserve, animals like Buffalo, White Rhino, Gemsbok, Waterbuck and Springbok to mention a few can be found.
The event started on 28 September 2012 with the familiarisation tour around Fezile Dabi District with the media and Free State artists to motivate them to express their artistic skills for production of art pieces that will profile the province. The artists toured the age old styled town of Parys, and experienced the tranquillity of the Vaal Dam and Kopjeskraal and ended at the Vredefort Dome which is the oldest and largest meteorite in the world.
The entourage received a lecture on Stars and Planets by representatives from the University of the Free State in the evening and later entertained themselves with the Bom Fire and Interactive Drumming.
On the second day, the event kick started with a warm welcome to the home of harmony, prosperity and hope by Ngwathe Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr J. Mochela who also mentioned that they are very thankful to the department for hosting this event in their municipality as this will boost the economy of the municipality.
The next speaker was the Chairperson of FSTA Board, Mr Glen Netshivhodza who proudly introduced to the entourage the group of kids in their blue attire from Fezile Dabi District whom were sent to Ukraine recently to participate in the F30 power boating competition. Three of them represented South Africa and a young man by the name of David Basson came out position 12 out of 365 boats.
The entourage were entertained by performances by various Free State artists including Ala Yen, Sebuyile, Choice, Tina Mnumzana, The Rainbow Turners, Botshabelo Sunrise, Nateeze and Jah Rose whom composed songs about their beautiful Free State province and other guests had the opportunity to race through the 20km dam on powerful powerboat for exhilaration and fun.
Addressing about 600 excited Koppies community members, MEC Qabathe assured them that Free State has an amazing talent that needs to be nurtured. MEC thanked the artists for taking advantage of the opportunity given to them promote, sell and advertise the Free State through music, poetry and drama.
The MEC encourage other artists to be motivated by those that have already produced songs about the Free State so far. She pleaded with all the leaders in government and the community as a whole to empower and support these artists. MEC Qabathe mentioned that whatever we are looking for, it’s right here and people should start considering going to the Free State dams like Koppies Dam, Sandriver and Sterkfontein Dam to relax and enjoy other tourism related activities. The MEC concluded by saying that we always say Free State is the hidden treasure of tourism but now we want to expose it to the whole country.
The event was later graced by the presence of the Minister of Mineral Resources, honourable Susan Shabangu, Premier Ace Magashule and all members of the Provincial Executive Committee. Premier Magashule and MEC Qabathe cut the red ribbon to symbolise the official opening of the Koppies Dam Nature Reserve.
For more information please contact:
Elsie Ntsane
Tel: 051 400 9550/9548
E-mail: ntsane@detea.fs.gov.za
Festy Nyamate
E-mail: nyamatef@detea.fs.gov.za
