Officials from Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) officially handed over newly built facilities at the Luchaba Provincial Nature in Mthatha to the operator, last week.
They revamped Luchaba Nature Reserve (Mthatha Dam) in Mthatha with new accommodation facilities, to add to the existing conference facilities and dining area.
The Mayor for King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani, said this facility would change the situation, not only for people of KSD, but also all those who are willing to use it.
“Unemployment and poverty need to be addressed so that the economy can grow. We don’t have areas like this one and this is a problem because when we want to do something (like hold conferences), we end up going to other areas,” said Nelani. He added that they appreciated the involvement of ECPTA.
The regional manager for marine and coastal cluster from ECPTA, Vuyani Mapiya, said this initiative formed part of the second and third phases of infrastructure development at the reserve. He said the Mthatha Dam Project consisted of a restaurant, a conference facility and now these self-catering chalets.
“In the first phase we spent R20 million, then the two chalets cost R16 million. This project will also lead to other activities like water sport activities that would be here and also camp sites. We will also have a boat cruise that would transport visitors on the Mthatha Dam,” said Mapiya.
