Date: 16/01/2004
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: Molefe: Launch of Sun City's Cultural Village


SPEECH BY NORTH WEST PREMIER, DR POPO SIMON MOLEFE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF SUN CITY'S CULTURAL VILLAGE, 16 January 2004

Programme Director,
Mma Molotlegi,
Kgosi Pilane,
The Executive Mayor of Rustenburg, Councillor Thabo Mabe,
The Mayor of Moses Kotane Municipality,
Councillor Peter Molelekeng,
Peet Celliers, the Managing Director of Legend Lodges,
Graham Hood, the Director of Operations at Sun City,
Representatives of the media,
Honoured Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am truly honoured to be part of this important occasion to launch the Motseng Cultural Village in one of our province's tourism icons, Sun City.

I am informed Programme Director, that the cultural village we are launching today is intended to showcase and pay tribute to the lifestyles of no less than eight of South Africa's indigenous ethnic groups.

This village will therefore afford local and international tourists a unique opportunity to experience, enjoy and appreciate some of our country's rich and diverse cultures. It will give them an authentic taste of the African tradition.

The launch of the Motseng Cultural Village marks yet another milestone in the ongoing effort to preserve our cultural heritage.

This village will contribute towards preserving that which makes us African and proud.

It will give our people an opportunity to demonstrate to the world, the pride and passion they have for their culture. It will give them an opportunity to honour their legends through song and dance, to display their unique artistic skills through arts and craft and to demonstrate their hospitality by treating visitors to a true African meal.

We of the North West Province, are particularly delighted that an initiative of this nature is being launched not only in our province but also in one of our major tourist attractions.

We have no doubt that the launch of this cultural village will further cement the position of the North West Province as South Africa's prime heritage destination.

We take pride in the fact that we have, over the years, succeeded in carving for ourselves a niche in the tourism industry as South Africa's heritage destination.

Our success in this regard is aptly demonstrated by the fact that revenue generated from international visitors to our province grew from R1.3 billion, in 1997, to R3.5 billion in 2002.

This growth has had a positive impact on job creation. Statistics at our disposal indicate that jobs created by the tourism industry grew from over 32 000 in 2001 to 69 000 in 2002.

Equally, growth in the tourism industry provides empowerment opportunities to communities living in an around our tourist destinations, such as parks and resorts.

As government, we continue to pay close attention to the creation of empowerment opportunities in the tourism industry, especially to those of our people who had no access to such opportunities.

Our tourism parastatal, the North West Parks and Tourism Board, is engaged in efforts aimed at ensuring that communities in and around our tourist destinations benefit from tourism. Communities such as those living around Madikwe and Pilanesberg have already benefited from these efforts.

Part of the progress we are making in expanding access to opportunities in tourism, is demonstrated by the fact that the number of tourism small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) on our database increased from 3 in 2000 to 56 in 2003.

This reflects growing participation in the tourism industry, particularly by historically disadvantaged individuals. It also gives practical meaning to our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared by all.

We are therefore encouraged that this village has created employment opportunities for people living around this area. It is our hope that as the number of visitors grows, more and more people in this area will find opportunities to generate income.

Programme Director, it is important that we continue to position the North West Province in a manner that clearly distinguishes it from other major tourist destinations such as Durban and Cape Town.

In order to maintain and even grow our share of the tourism market, we need to build on our strengths. Key among these is our unique offering of both cultural and natural heritage.

The Motseng Cultural Village will no doubt boost our ongoing efforts to position the North West Province as a prime heritage destination for both local and overseas investors.

Programme Director, one of the challenges facing the tourism industry in recent times, is the strengthening of our currency, the Rand, that is having a negative impact on the number of international visitors to our shores.

In response, we face a challenge of developing alternative ways of attracting international visitors. Tourism products, such as this cultural village, which offer a unique experience, will assist our response to this challenge.

Equally, we need to boost local tourism market. We must encourage our people to visit other parts of their country.

We must also ensure that we create safer places for our tourists. In this regard, there is a need to strengthen partnerships between police and communities in order to ensure that tourists have a safe and secure stay in our province.

We must do all these things because tourism is an important sector of the provincial economy. We have a responsibility to ensure that it grows and develops.

I wish Motseng Cultural Village and all those involved in its establishment success, now and in the future.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
16 January 2004