LOUIS TRICHARDT – The Limpopo Province Tourism Board (LPTB) has completed its part in the development of the new tourism resource centre at the town entrance at the N1/Songozwi Street crossing.

LPTB is now waiting for the Makhado Municipality to complete their part. It is speculated that the completion date could be the end of June or beginning of July.

The construction of the main building of the centre as well as the thatch roof rondavels have been completed by the LPTB. The Makhado Municipality is in the process of completing the parking lot, the ablution block and the exterior surroundings.

According to the public relations manager of the LPTB, Ms Sheila Masemola the tourist centre will serve as a central point in the region for the dissemination of information. The local Community Tourism Associations function in close relationship with the LPTB which is the tourism authority for the province. Ms Masemola added that they will work hand in hand with the existing Info Kiosk at Safari Motors.

Another important aim of the tourist centre is to empower the community by encouraging entrepreneurial involvement in tourism in the province. Therefore the purpose of the thatch roof rondavels at the new tourist centre is to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to manufacture and market their products. The rent for the rondavels is to be decided on at a meeting of LPTB in the very near future.

"We want the public to realise that tourism brings revenue to the people," says Ms Masemola.

Entrepreneurs interested in making use of the facilities at the tourist resource centre may contact LPTB at Tel (015) 288 0099.