Issued by: Consultants Africa
27 February 1997
Master of Ceremonies, Mr Chris Cudmore (Chairman: Condev Group), Members of the Executive Council, Mayors, visiting dignitaries from the Dutch Housing Board, Ladies and gentlemen.
As the Premier of Mpumalanga, the more pleasant of my duties is, most certainly, to attend the launch of projects which speak of economic development, of job creation and of the empowerment of our people and it is, therefore, an honour for me to be here today.
It may seem as though it is the opening of just another hotel and conference centre. The reality, however, is that this impressive complex has already generated employment for local people in terms of its construction, it has already meant substantial business for local suppliers, and will, in future, continue to do so. It has presented long term employment and empowerment opportunities for our people who will staff and help run the establishment.
If we go beneath the surface, we begin to appreciate the true significance of Greenway Woods to the economy of Mpumalanga.
We have, in South Africa, the potential to attract between 170 and 200 international conferences every year which would bring in at least R250 million in foreing exchange. We further have 80 000 estimated conferences which are annually held in South Africa, some of which will undoubtedly be held at Greenway Woods.
Our weakness to date, in attracting more international conferences, has apparently been a shortage of world-class facilities in areas where foreign delegations can enjoy added attractions they cannot find anywhere else.
In Mpumalanga we have the world renowned Kruger National Park, which is only 20 minutes drive from here as well as other world famous attractions of scenic grandeur and outdoor pursuits close by.
Taking all of this into account, along with the state of the art conference facilities, Greenway Woods is surely destined to draw more than its fair share of the conference pickings and the wealth generation that comes with it.
The conference industry has a particularly high multiplier effect that is labour intensive and creates significant employment opportunities.
There are many other positive benefits of this industry which are perhaps not so well known. They are:
With all of these in mind it is safe to say that this venture is almost certainly assured of being a runaway success. I was told that the paint had not properly dried when the first big corporate conference of a local company was underway in these rooms.
I would like to commend Murray and Roberts and its dynamic subsidiary, Condev, for the establishment of suite Hotels under whose banner Greenway Woods will reside.
Condev has, to date, shown their commitment to joining hands with government and invested more than R20 million in its contribution to housing in Mpumalanga. They are involved in projects in Nelspruit, Barberton, Piet Retief and Amsterdam. We applaud them for their commitment to the people of our province.
I am extremely heartened by the fact that Condev is currently negotiating strong black-owned interest in Greenway Woods, as well as its existing sister establishments, alpine Health and Kapenta Bay. This proves the commitment of the company to upliftment and empowerment of all South Africans.
I am delighted to note that Greenway Woods will be operated by the prestigious Three Cities Hotel group whose achievements with hotel such as the Royal in Durban, the Carlton in Johannesburg and the Peninsula in Cape Town hardly need expanding on. I am told that the Three Cities Hotel Group has made a point of employing local people where possible and have already recruited 57 locals. These aspirant hotellers as well as 40 casual employees will be trained to their standards. I am positive that the people of Mpumalanga will, in time, fully live up to the faith shown in them.
In the not too distant future, the creation of the Maputo corridor is going to turn the economy of our province around so as to make it the envy not only of South Africa, but of the continent as a whole.
Once the corridor is established, Mpumalanga will have every conceivable asset required for an economic boom, the likes of which has never been seen in this region. We, as the government of Mpumalanga are poised and ready to assist in every way we possibly can. Our doors are open to the business sector. We believe in solutions, not in problems.
The business people of Mpumalanga, have their eyes set on a bright and prosperous future. I would like to believe that those with vision, those who recognise opportunity are already moving in and investing in our province.
In conclusion I would like to thank Condev and Suite Hotels for the faith and commitment they have shown in Mpumalanga. I sincerely hope that they will grow from strength to strength in this and other ventures.
We, the people, got to make the world go round. I agree, and it is in this spirit that I now declare the Greenway Woods Conference and Leisure Resort officially open.