Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> 17 - 31 August 2003
September is traditionally Tourism month and for this year the Free State is evidently geared better and more aware than ever before to make the most of it. Although at present lagging way behind sectors such as mining, manufacturing and agriculture, the tourism sector in the Free State is evidently poised as the sector with the highest and fastest percentage growth.
As such, tourism in the Free State can as from now make a significant impact on job creation and improvement in the standard of living. This is clear when one goes through this special feature. In it, the main roleplayers in the province, viz. the Dept. of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs and the five regional district municipalities - Lejeweleputswa, Motheo, Northern Free State, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep - together with the FDC and Mangaung as Free State capital, make their objectives clear. As such it sends out a very strong developmental message - probably the first time ever in a single document.
Consequently, the private sector (all existing and prospective tourism product owners) should take dearly note and join a co-ordinated drive and momentum that could lead to great heights for the province.
Discover the Free State
Kgotso - we greet you in peace !
Tloho bone - come and see !
Vrysta-a-a-t !
Wedged between the magnificent Orange and Vaal Rivers lies a region blessed with such beauty and grace that for scores of years thousands of pioneers paid the ultimate sacrifice for the honour and privilege of calling it their home. Embraced by several of South Africa's provinces, the Free State assumes its rightful place at the heart of the country.
The Free State is a rural province of wide horizons and blue skies, with farmland, mountains, goldfields and widely dispersed towns. The land of the windpomp and krummelpap is peaceful, with a high quality of life, good infrastructure and a relatively low crime rate. The province covers an area of 129 464 km and has a population of 2,8 million - 6,4 % of the national population.
The Free State border on the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng Province and also shares a border with Lesotho. The biggest part of the Free State is an undulating plain at between 1 000 m and 1 500 m. Climate-wise the Free State is hot in summer, when most of the rain falls, but it is very cold in winter, with heavy frost over most of the province.
The population profile consists of 84 % African, 13 % White and 3 % Coloured. Sesotho is the most dominant mother tongue (57 %), followed by Afrikaans (15 %), isiXhosa (9 %), Setswana (6 %), isiZulu (5 %) and English (2 %).
The capital of the Free State is Bloemfontein, having a well-established institutional, educational and administrative infrastructure. The province is administratively divided into five regions, viz. Motheo, Xhariep, Lejeweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Northern Free State.
The Free State produces a GGP of some R44,1 billion, with the economic activity of the province centring mainly around mining (22,6%), manufacturing (14,5%), and agriculture (11%). Tourism contributes 3 %.
The province is well connected to the rest of the country by road and railways. The Bloemfontein Airport also provides frequent and regular flights to the major centra in South Africa. The main N1 (Gauteng-Cape), N3 (Gauteng-Kwazulu-Natal) and N5 (Bloemfontein-Maseru) routes pass through it, as well as main railway lines from East London and the Cape to Gauteng.
As far as the tourism industry in the province is concerned, it can be observed in a bird's eye view that the Free State has inter alia 14 nature reserves with varying facilities; four large holiday resorts; 12 state dams with banks totalling some 760 km; numerous sports and outdoor opportunities; nine restored battlefields; some 9 600 tourist beds; a booming guesthouse industry; and a further long list to be added.
Tourism has been the fastest growing sector in the world economy, standing at present at 5,5% of the global GNP. Currently SA is receiving some 6,6 million tourists annually, constituting an income of R36 billion and creating about 310 000 new jobs and doubling tourism's share in the national GDP from 4% to 8%.
South Africa's strategy to maximize its share from the global tourist market, is set out in a strategy designed by SA Tourism and headed Outwit, outsmart and outplay."
The Free State at present has a share of about 5% or 60 000 of the total overseas tourists visiting SA, spending some R199 million in the province. Then there is the domestic market, i.e. tourists from mainly neighbouring countries, of which the Free State last year got also about a 5% share = 2,8 million people, buying primarily consumer goods in SA to a total value of R513 million.
South Africa has 1% of the world tourism market, while the Free State has 5% of the SA tourism market. The declared objective for the Free State is eventually to attain 10% of the annual total.
MEC Sakhiwo Belot for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, who with his Department is leading the campaign to aggressively market the central province's tourism offerings in a proudly Free State way.
In this special feature the department is putting action to words by indicating the active program it has compiled to celebrate Tourism Month 2003 in the Free State.
The Tourism Committee of the Motheo District Municipal Council under chairpersonship of Councillor Jan van der Merwe, is in an advanced stage of developing the following eight pioneering routes in the Motheo area, each with it's own professional brochure :
Motheo Township Route
Motheo Art Route
Motheo Museum & Archaeological Route
Motheo Adventure Route
Motheo Agricultural Route
N8 route (Ladybrand to Kimberley)
Naledi Tourism Route
Mantsopa Tourism Route
In addition, a Motheo general tourism brochure as well as a Motheo business and marketing brochure are also on the way.
To be held on 26-27 September 2003, this is currently the tourism highlight in the Naledi region and Motheo is contributing R50 000 to off-set costs. TV coverage of the event is drawing national as well as international attention. This event is destined to grow into the principal item of its kind on the annual Free State tourism calender.
For more info, contact Peet Potgieter at 082 771 2013.
The Motheo District Municipal Council in conjunction with the Technikon Free State is presenting a Workshop for emerging entrepreneurs in the tourism industry (SMME's) on 22-23 September 2003 at the Technikon. On completion of the workshop and course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
For more info, contact Jan van der Merwe at (051) 409 4631 or Tello Tsebesi at 082 782 9066.
Motheo is examining the opportunity to synergize with Bloemvision to extend the content and circulation of it's quarterly Diary to What's On in the Motheo region, so as to make the publication available at every accommodation establishment and info centre in the region.
In so doing, visitors and residents alike could be informed one-stop about ongoing events in the region.
Motheo has a program in place of participating in tourism exhibitions on a monthly basis being held nationally as well as internationally. At least at one such exhibition per month Motheo is planning to have a stand, e.g. at the Gateway Show in September 2003 in Johannesburg
Motheo is actively engaged in establishing Tourism Forums for sub-regions within the Motheo Region. On 14 August 2003 the Naledi Tourism Forum has been established, while an Interim Tourism Forum for the Mantsopa region is already functioning.
Motheo has allocated an amount of R200 000 per Tourism Forum for their approved tourism projects.
Motheo has also set it's direct sights on the international market and is in the process of preparing professional advertisements for internationally-orientated publications such as Sawubona, Getaway, etc.
In line with the general trend that international tourists tend not to visit the same destinations repeatedly, but instead rather opt for new destinations, MDMC is moving to market it's regions unique tourism features internationally.
Motheo has earmarked R15 000 for each of the three major museums in its region with a view to produce a marketing brochure for each, viz. the National Museum, NALN and the War Museum of the Boer Republics.
Vision
In conclusion Councillor Jan van der Merwe emphasizes that development of tourism in the Motheo region has as its final aim to raise the standard of living of people in the region. To this, an increase in tourism spent would contribute directly, but also a host of entrepreneurial opportunities are there for the taking. Then of course the off-spin of job creation is of critical importance.
In this process of tourism development, the ethical question of credibility stands central - no promises should be made that cannot be kept. What one advertises and promotes to offer, must be likewise delivered. To therefore support this, the grading of various tourism products is strongly being encouraged and assisted.
Quality tourism products and services delivered in a quality way, draws quality support and makes a quality contribution towards socio-economic advancement.
Xhariep might be the youngest of the Free State district municipalities (only a year and nine months old) with no real budget and no proper offices, but it is bursting with excitement. One of the reasons for this is the envised major public/private partnership investment of R2,5 billion earmarked as an economic hub at Gariep Dam.
No wonder that Gariep Dam is being marketed as Xhariep's icon tourist destination. Not that it is the only one. We are equally proud of our Jagersfontein mine hole, the Diamond and Wine route which includes Koffiefontein and Jacobsdal, the historical shroud in and around Philippolis, our spacious nature reserves and the fascinating tourist attractions in every quint little town. Not to mention all the annual festivals and events !
Xhariep's slogan is An area of unfound diversity. Indeed. This is reflected in a bird's eye-view on our extensive website at www.xhariep.co.za. Attributes such as three national roads (N1, N6, and N8), our central geographic position in South Africa, exquisite natural beauty and many other fascinating tourist attractions make Xhariep ideal for the tourism industry. Let nature massage the stress of city life out of your system during a game drive in one of our reserves, or enjoy life as it should be during a sundowner cruise on the Gariep Dam. Those seeking something different than the natural environment, could marvel in the rich diversified cultural history of the region. The Diamond and Wine tourist route travels past the diamond mines of Jagersfontein and Koffiefontein, stopping over at the Landzicht Wine Cellars for wine-tasting from producers that have many national and international awards to their credit and is currently exporting to Europe and Asia. While many use Xhariep as a stopover to refresh and break a long journey, a large variety of accommodation facilities are available, ranging from comfortable hotels and an Aventura Resort to luxury safari camps and lovely guesthouses, where you could enjoy true Free State country food and hospitality.
Gariep Dam - The inland sea of SA
GARIEP DAM is the youngest town in the Free State, having been erected in the late 1960's for construction workers building the Gariep Dam. After the official opening of the dam in 1972, the potential of the town as a tourist haven next to the largest dam in South Africa was recognised. It is a lovely clean town, situated virtually in the centre of South Africa, making it an excellent inland holiday destination as well as a perfect stopover for tourists between Gauteng and Cape Town. Beautiful sunsets and the tranquillity of the vast water expanse make this town a must for making away from the rush of everyday-life.
Attractions include:
Guided tours through the 13km of tunnels in the Gariep Dam wall, the Eskom Hydro-electric power station and the Gariep State Fish Hatchery; Game drives in the Gariep Nature Reserve; Watersport; Fishing; River rafting and canoeing; Southford Horse Stud Farm; Boat trips; Norvalspont Concentration Camp Graveyard; etc. Fish Hatchery; Game drives in the Gariep Nature Reserve; Watersport; Fishing; River rafting and canoeing; Southford Horse Stud Farm; Boat trips; Norvalspont Concentration Camp Graveyard; etc.
Annual events include:
The international gliding championships (December); the Gariep 500 rubberduck race (February - the longest inland water race in the world); the Watersport festival (31 January 2004) which includes a 23 km road race (a very scenic route through the Nature Reserve, over the damwall and along the Orange River); Gariep Half Mile (swimming in open dam - a good practice run for the Midmar Mile); Gariep Dam Regatta (yacht race); Raft race (a fun raft race); Off-road Cycling Race in Nature Reserve (a very scenic route through the Nature Reserve and Game Reserve on the banks of the dam) and a bowls tournament.
Jagersfontein Mine Hole
THE JAGERSFONTEIN diamond mine is the oldest of its kind in the world and two of the 10 biggest diamonds ever found (the 972 carat Excelsior diamond and the 637 carat Reitz diamond) come from here. Although mining doesn't take place actively in Jagersfontein anymore, those who enjoy the nostalgia of the pioneer diamond era will have a delightful time in this mining village of yesteryear. An old mining museum, called Jagers Mining Village is currently being erected next to the deepest handmade open mine in the world.
Other attractions include:
Open mine museum and lookout point; Jagers Mining Village; Moth Museum - look at memorabilia from various wars, including the Anglo-Boer War, World War I and II and the Namibian Border War; Jagersfontein Graveyard, many war heroes were buried here; Churches from various denominations were built between 1881 and 1891; Water Pumps - the original ones from yesterday; Taxidermy shop - the most renowned of the Free State; Diggers Groot Gat Hiking Trail - cover 35km in three days; and the Glaasstudio, internationally renowned for its glass art manufacturing.
Diamond & Wine Route
THIS ROUTE ends at Jacobsdal, which, like so many of the other southern Free State towns, the tracks of history cut very clearly through Jacobsdal. The only remaining of 12 unique British blockhouses built in the Kimberley area in 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War has been restored into a national monument at Jacobsdal.
Other interesting places include:
Landzicht Wine Cellars; The Burger Monument; Market Square ers supported by 100 guns forced a force of 4 000 Boers to surrender on 27 February 1900 after 10 days of fighting, and the Annual Water and Wine Festival.
earlier battle site; British Blockhouse; Magersfontein Battlefield and Museum; Jacobsdal Cemetary - graves dating back to 1859; Dutch Reformed church built in 1879 by Boers departing to war; Paardeberg Battlefield - 40 000 British soldiers supported by 100 guns forced a force of 4 000 Boers to surrender on 27 February 1900 after 10 days of fighting, and the Annual Water and Wine Festival.
Nature Reserves
THERE are three governmental game reserves in the Xhariep region, viz. Gariep Nature Reserve; Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve; and Kalkfontein Nature Reserve. Xhariep also includes a number of privately owned game reserves, e.g.: Gemsbokpark Private Nature Reserve, Fauresmith (473 hectares); Nep Farm Nature Reserve, Fauresmith (700 hectares); Thanda Tula Reserve Fauresmith (2 792 hectares); Sandymount Park, Fauresmith (4 900 hectares); Little Motopos Game Ranch, Edenburg (1 000 hectares); Veldkraal Game Reserve, Edenburg (1 500 hectares).
The Goldfields boasts one of the two icons in the Free State that SA Tourism markets internationally, namely the Phakisa Freeway in Welkom, a race track acclaimed as one of the best in the world. Whilst much money, time and energy are applied to save the MotoGP (the motorbike grand prix) following the withdrawel of the Free State Provincial Government's grant, Lejeweleputswa District Council is determined: All it's tourist destinations will be sustained and new projects developed.
Lejeweleputswa is actively soliciting private sector investment to save Phakisa. It has committed R6-million and the Matjhabeng local Municipality R5-million, but another R23-million is needed. Even the CEO of SA Tourism, me. Cheryl Carolus, joined the Save MotoGP fray. Her department did the economic impact study, she met with Welkom businessmen, will shortly visit Phakisa to experience it personally and she will act as facilitator between the local business people and corporate South Africa.
MAJOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FOCUS
Apart from Phakisa, Lejeweleputswa has identified other major projects for tourism development namely:
The development of a Waterfront at Tikwe Lodge, Welkom.
A tourism centre at Welkom, and,
The development of an underground wine cellar at St. Helena, Welkom.
MARKETING PROMOTIONS
Lejeweleputswa has futhermore highly prioritised the development of the following marketing tools :
A district tourism website,
printing of tourism brochures, and,
participating and/or organising local and national tourism exhibitions and festivals.
EVENTS FOR TOURISM MONTH
Lejeweleputswa will be putting into action its marketing promotions with the following events organised for Tourism Month:
August 27-30 : A district tourism exhibition at the Gold Festival at the former Showgrounds in Welkom
3 September : A district tourism lekgotla preparatory meeting at Phakisa Freeway.
17 September : Launch of a district tourism route covering Brandfort, Theunissen, Virginia, Allanridge, Odendaalsrus and Welkom.
28 September : Establishment of the district Tourism Lekgotla, a body the Lejeweleputswa municipal manager, Mr. Dups Ndubula has invited all stakeholders to join in making tourism as a tool for economic injection in the region.
Simultaneously, all five local municipalities in the region will host their own events in line with this year's Tourism Month.
MAIN TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS
The district offers many tourist attractions to explore. To mention but a few.
The Goldfields Wine Cellar at Theunissen where 10 different kinds of indigenous Free State wines can be enjoyed and the world renowned cycad collection can be viewed.
Guided Gold Mine Underground Tours at Virginia and Welkom.
The Saltpans at Soutpan.
The Winnie Mandela House at Brandfort.
The Anglo Boer War Cemeteries at Brandfort. This include the different sites for Boer, African and British graveyards.
The Winburg Voortrekker monument.
The 1956 Women's Pass Resistance Site next to the old magistrate court in Winburg.
The Arts and Crafts Route and Tavern Tours in Welkom.
Aldam Resort with it's extensive holiday, watersport and conference facilities.
Nature Reserves, namely Sandveld, Willem Pretorius, Rustfontein, Soetdoring, Erfenis Dam and numerous private game reserves.
This is but the proverbial ears of the hippopotamus - for more information, talk to the Lejeweleputswa District Municipality development officer, TL Skele, at 083 632 1603, or anyone at the other contact particulars below.
Backdrop
Nestled against the majestic Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges, the region of Thabo Mofutsanyana today represents one of the leading emerging tourism destinations in South Africa.
To the north, Thabo Mofutsanyana borders on the Northern Free State and Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal to the east, Lesotho to the south and the Motheo and Lejweleputswa municipal districts to the west.
The local municipalities falling within the area of Thabo Mofutsanyana are Setsoto, Nketoana, Phumelela, Dihlabeng, Maluti a Phofung and Golden Gate, covering the towns and townships of Phuthaditjhaba, Bethlehem, Harrismith, Tshiame, Kestell, Clarens, Fouriesburg, Ficksburg, Clocolan, Marquard, Rosendal, Senekal, Paul Roux, Steynsrus, Arlington, Lindley, Petrus Steyn, Reitz, Cornelia, Vrede, Warden and Memel. On a surface area of 2 827 286 km Thabo Mofutsanyana is home to an estimated population of 728 400 people - 25,97% of the entire population of the Free State.
In a combination of it's natural attributes, it's fast-developing infrastructure and it's population dynamics, the Thabo Mofutsanyana region has become one of the best tourism and investment destinations in South Africa. Rarely would one find such scenic beauty, modern infrastructure and facilities, exciting tourism products, tranquil environs, high grain and livestock productions, a wealth of cultural heritage, relatively low criminality and proximity to other fast developing centres in SA, as in the encapsulation of Thabo Mofutsanyana.
Tourism
Latest statistics reflect that the Highlands of Thaba Mofutsanyana are one of the most popular tourist destinations in SA. The Golden Gate and Qwa-Qwa National Parks stand side by side with their formidable red sandstone buttresses and impressive mountain vistas. Within the park is the Basotho Cultural Village - a must to visit. South of nearby Phuthaditjhaba is the carpark for The Sentinal - a day's hike up the back of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre.
The commercial centre of the region is Bethlehem, with outstanding shopping facilities, schools, medical services, industries and guesthouses. The massive Sterkfontein Dam outside Harrismith is ideal for watersports, while the Salpeterkrans sandstone overhang near Fouriesburg is a bizarre example of wind erosions. The bird watching mecca of Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near Memel is a wetland with RAMSAR status and is surrounded with private game and holiday farms. The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Council is striving to extend participation of previously disadvantaged communities into the pulsating tourism industry and exciting opportunities in this regard exist.
Although the entire Eastern Free State is well-known for it's tourist attractions, Clarens, with it's 65 accommodation establishments and some 800 tourist beds is regarded as the main focus area and is sometimes referred to as the jewel of the Free State. Clarens has therefore been identified as the main centre for tourism development, linking up with Reitz, Bethlehem and the rest of the Highlands border area, stretching from the southernmost parts (Ladybrand, Kestell and Harrismith) up to and including Memel and Vrede.
The range of outdoor activities on offer in Thabo Mofutsanyana is increasing almost by the day, ranging from game parks to water skiing, from quad biking to trout fishing, from mountaineering to horse-riding. Although too much to mention here, we would summarize the absolute must-see's as the Basotho Cultural Village, the Clarens Art Galleries, Golden Gate, Sterkfontein Water Sports and the Phuthaditjaba Sentinel Hiking Trail. In wider context Thabo Mafutsanyana forms an integral link with the transfrontier eco-park currently being developed in tandem with Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape province. This includes the breath-taking Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the exquisite Maloti Tourist Route.
Challenges
Seen overall the main development challenge facing the Eastern Free State / Thabo Mofutsanyana District is how to create a sustainable livelihood and job opportunities for the majority of the population in the region. This represents the core focus of the Local Economic Development program of the TMDC - a focus of which tourism promotion forms a central part.
Open Invitation
In a bird's eyeview, these are the unmistakably unique and highly competitive features of the Eastern Free State /Thabo Mofutsanyana region as a tourism and entrepreneurial destination par excellence.
The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Council extends an open invitation to all visitors and entrepreneurs to call apon it's office for any assistance and facilitation that might be required.
You wouldn't know about the Free State, if you haven't experienced Thabo Mafutsanyana !
Better still : Join a region poised on the brink of a development explosion !
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