The Soutpansberg Limpopo Birding Route handed over a newly built ablution block, braai stands, picnic tables and chairs to Golwe–Vhurivhuri Picnic Campside last Friday.

The function took place at the picnic site, Vhurivhuri. A large group of people attended the event.

The construction of the ablution block, braai stands, tables and chairs came after the Soutpansberg Limpopo Birding Route secured the funds from the Jameson Charity Foundation, which is based in Denmark.

Ms Sarah Venter of the Soutpansberg Limpopo Birding Route said she realized that there was a need to assist the Golwe–Vhurivhuri Picnic campsite after she visited the place some time ago. "After some negotiations with the Jameson Charity Foundation, we then acquired funds to improve the picnic site, because there is a greater chance for growth in this venture. Our aim is to empower the local communities to conserve their heritage, thereby assisting in poverty alleviation and fighting unemployment. We are still working with different projects in the province to develop tourism."

During the handing-over function, the mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane, said he appreciated the efforts by the Vhurivhuri community members in the development of tourism. He also added that the municipality would make some contributions to the development of the park in the near future.

The managing director of the Golwe–Vhurivhuri Picnic Campsite, Mr Konanani Matshanisi, thanked everyone who contributed to the development of the park. "The 14 of us were formerly unemployed when we started the park in 1999. The ablution block will boost us to work hard. We formerly used pit toilets and it had a negative impact on our business."