MKHONDO

ECONOMIC FORUM

PROJECTS

Minutes & Expression of Interest

 

Working and Information Meeting was held, Friday 18 October 2002: Anchor’s Inn:  10h00

The Mkhondo Economic forum invited various members (as an introduction and information session) to attend a meeting whereby we discussed various proposed projects for our region together with Prof. Andre Nieuwoudt from the Small Business Development Corporation.  Prof Nieuwoudt has extensive experience related to spatial development planning and restructuring. He is the principal of the Town and Regional Planning firm Nieuwplan and chairperson of REAHAMMNHO CC (Economic Development Consultants and Project Managers) He is a member of the SA Planning Institution, the SA Council for Town and Regional Planners, the SA Geographic Society, a former chairman of the Potchefstroom Tourism Society and a former Board member of the North West Tourism Association.

The proposed projects, which have been identified already, are listed below and are aimed at economic development in our area, as well as the alleviation of the plight of the poor, and most importantly – job creation.

                The Agenda was as follows:

1.                   Opening and Welcome

2.                   Apologies

3.                   Introduction of Prof. Nieuwoudt

4.                   Proposed Projects:

Heyshopedam

Game Camp

Sporting Facilities

Hand Crafts

Hawkers in Piet Retief (Venue up-grade)

Amsterdam: Mountain Tourism (Skurwe-randjies)

5.                   General and The way forward

6.                   Closure

ATTENDANCE

Mr. MP Shikwambana (Philip)     

Mrs. JJ Mathenjwa (Joyce) represented by Dr. Mathenjwa

Mrs. G Loubser (Gudrun)

Mrs. BW Kunene (Baby)

Mrs. B Hancock (Beate)

Mr. Izak Potgieter

Prof Nieuwoudt

Mr. J Myburgh (John)

Mr. Rex Robberts

Mr. N.A. Dlamini (Nati)

Mrs. Kerry Taljaard

Mr. B van Aardt (Bouwer)

Mr. Ramathuba

 

Proposed Projects:

1)     Heyshopedam Dam;

The representative for Chief Mthethwa made the suggestion to develop the area around the Heyshopedam Dam thereby creating a tourist attraction for both local people and tourists from KZN, Gauteng, Freestate and Swaziland.  It was further suggested to:

-          Set up small chalets / various accommodation incl. Camping and Caravan sites

-          Display and sell arts and crafts as well as set up small Tuck-shops

-          Anchoring and storing of boats also creating easy access to the dam for such

-          Build a big hall (create an area) where farmers could exhibit and sell their products

-          Create other recreational possibilities.

-          The area to the east belongs to Dept. Water affairs, West to farmers and there is a large community called Driefontein (terribly poor, underdeveloped area, but has a clinic)

-          Agro/Forestry activities could also be a possibility including the further working of agricultural produce e.g. preservation factory, abattoirs, open land and tunnel vegetable growing (get Tel. Nr. From Prof Nieuwoudt on details for suppliers of tunnels)

-          Other suggestions include:

Fishmeal factory (tenders can go out to community for fishing contract as well)

Goldfish breeding: currently imported from the East (Dr. Reinach Enterprise)

The possible privatization of land around the dam was discussed. 

 

2)      Game Camp

This is municipal land in the Town of Piet Retief, +/-400ha large, which has been donated to the Town Council approx 15 years ago.  The land may not be sold and must be used for natural preservation/conservation.  The game camp to the “south” has a large area of wetland (vlei with a small dam) and could be used to restore the bird life.  The camp used to host a large variety of game, but has been culled, fences demolished etc.  It can be restored to once again host various species of game; it was proposed that hot water swimming pools be built there, with overnight facilities or even selling timeshare. Various other activities can be included in this area, including the growing of organic agricultural activities.  All of the land is virgin land, with a few alien-invading plants (Eucalyptus and Wattle trees) that grow on the land

The proposal to restore this land came from the Tourism Association, and was represented at the meeting.  Some ideas have been put on paper and can further be worked into a business plan

Other ideas, which can be incorporated together with, Point Nr. 4 below, are:

Tribal dancers

Amphi-theater for various entertainments

Restaurant / Coffee shop for bypassing busses and passers-by on the Rainbow Route.

Crčches

 

3)      Sporting Facilities

Aimed at the youth especially, to keep them off the street, stop drug abuse, and create alternative entertainment.  Soccer stadiums (in very poor condition and not managed) are available.

To either restore one of the existing facilities in town, or create a sport stadium including various other sporting possibilities i.e. mini golf, driving range, ice-skates, ten-pin bowling.  (It should be intended that the “smaller entertainment facilities should be paid for” and free the soccer field of cost.

Piet Retief has a fairly well managed Golf Club, Bowling facilities, Tennis courts and Squash courts. Adjoining these facilities is a small dam and free space where additional sporting facilities can be built and maybe managed by the same management team as the Golf Club, making it a complete unit.  The land is ideally situated between main town Piet Retief and adjoining Ethandukukhanya (low cost housing and former “black Settlements”)

 

 

4)      Hand Crafts (was discussed together with the Game Camp project)

At town entrance a small park to both sides of the main road coming from Ermelo exists and it is proposed that arts and crafts stalls be erected there.  The road is fairly busy during holiday periods and long weekends, carrying people from Gauteng who travel to the KZN North Coast.  This route is part of the “Rainbow Route”. This road also carries many tour-busses on their way either to Gauteng or KZN.

The tourism association has more details on this proposal and was presented at the meeting.

 

5)      Hawkers / Street Vendors

In the main road (an area in front of the municipal building in an old parking lot) many hawkers and street vendors have found joy in selling their goods, from fruit and vegetables to clothing and other articles.  There are no sanitary facilities and there is no water for them.  The place looks untidy and is not safe for community members to stroll around there.

It has been proposed that descent structures be built for these vendors and that the place be cleaned up.

Adding to this problems crime in the main street is high and street children are a huge problem

 

6)      Amsterdam – Mountain Project.

Amsterdam is approx 45 km from Piet Retief, but is still part of the Mkhondo Town Council area.  Amsterdam is host to a beautiful mountainous area called Skurwe-Randtjies. The area has been declared a National Heritage: Named “Kalkoenvlakte”.  The private land-owners (5) already have a plan, which can be implemented.  Architects have drawn up plans already, but the landowners do not necessarily have the funding and the “time” to develop the area. All of them are in favor of development, as the land cannot be used for agricultural or forestry activities and is approx 3000 ha large.  The area has various climates ranging from almost tropical to more or less “Bosveld”. Rivers run through it, it has a large “gorge” which is 1 of only 3 breeding habitats for the “wild Ibis” (wilde kalkoen). The specie is endangered specie.  They urgently need to be protected.  The Oribitjie, also endangered, is present in the area, but only a few are left.  Natural herbs still grown here too, and if not protected will die out.

It was planned to be developed in 2 Phases:

1.       Bosveld type wooden chalets with possible timeshare options, to be built near the Swaziland border next to the river.

2.       To develop the area at Skurwe Randjies, with chalets, hotel, conference center, entertainment for day visitors, (Incl Arts & Crafts)

3.       It is intended to make a hiking trail, which would go over 3-5 days with donkeys, or donkey carts.  Overnight facilities would have to be built on-route.

Possible employment opportunities for 100 people.  All the material to develop this area can be sourced from the Piet Retief / Amsterdam area.

A representative from this project was represented at the meeting.

                       

7)      Other Projects:

Manufacturing of School Clothes, overalls for men and house-helps

Welding and woodworking projects

The revival of the “Blue-Chip Company/sawmill in Amsterdam

Weaving and Spinning School

                                               

                   SUMMARY: GENERAL AND THE WAY FORWARD

                   The following is to be considered:

1.                  We must find out what the people want in addition/opposed to what we think they want.  Prof. Nieuwoudt forwarded us a one-sheet questionnaire, which can be used to ask people (the beneficiaries) what they want.  Attached in Appendix A:

2.                  All projects and the raw material to be used must have maximum local content with as much “hand-work” rather than the employment of machinery (to maximize job-creation opportunities) must be involved.

3.                  All projects are unique, and the form of business must be established, be it “public-private initiatives”, a Close Corporation, a Section 21 Company etc.

4.                  All projects will be managed by a steering committee, and managers from local community are to be mentored by BUSINESS PEOPLE until all skills transfer has taken place to run the project alone on a sustainable and profitable basis.

5.                  Business plans for all the projects must be drawn up and preferably handed in to the relevant government institutions before January 2003, when funds are allocated. (Prof Andre Nieuwoudt would do this in assistance with project leaders)

6.                  We need to establish what funds have already been allocated to what projects, and how far have they progressed.  These are to be considered and incorporated into the proposed projects if so wished.

7.                  Determine the need and reason for the projects and their proposed products and customers/markets. E.g. why would people visit the dam, game camp, Piet Retief?  It is suggested that it could be a good idea to cluster these projects, interlinking with each other, making Piet Retief e.g. a good tourism / holiday / recreational destination.  Check out what other opportunities already exist in this area.

8.                  A CODE OF CONDUCT must exist for each and every project to ensure funds are applied properly, and that these projects remain sustainable and run on ethical corporate governance principals.  Strict rules must apply for all to benefit.

9.                  We need to include all social and cultural groups.

10.              Various other spin-offs can be predicted from these projects.

11.              The local Town council must be brought on board and should be blessing these projects and the development thereof.

Prof Nieuwoudt will contact the individual members of the meeting to determine what already exists and will assist and guide us as to what is required.   He will then draw up the business plans for each project and assist us to access the funds.

Philip Shikwambana will have a meeting with Mayor Gamede to inform him of the progress made and the actions to be taken.

The Economic forum will play a guidance role and will assist in bringing the parties together and track the progress made.

Any form of interest with skills / equity / funding can be directed to the Economic Forum. It is encouraged and will be welcomed.

C:/my docs/bus For/MinuetesProject meeting Oct02