Soutpansberg – salt of the earth … This is the new slogan that the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce came up with at the grand launch of Soutpansberg Tourism, the new “tourism arm” of the Chamber.

The launch was held at the Soutpansberg Info Centre in Louis Trichardt on Wednesday, March 11. Also revealed at the launch, for the first time ever, was Soutpansberg Tourism’s new logo and website.

The steering committee elected through the Chamber has been focusing on the relaunching of tourism within the area and resurrecting awareness and interest in the Soutpansberg and its people.

President of the Chamber Natasha Mostert opened the event by saying: “We should raise an awareness of tourism and use our beautiful wildlife, cultural and heritage sites, the ‘tools’ that we have at our disposal, to grow the economy of our town.”

Also speaking at the launch, Claire Giradin, spokesperson for the Chamber, said: “We hope that, through facilitation and working together with the Camber, tourism will once again be revived and be seen as a very strategic move forward for the economy and infrastructure of the Soutpansberg-area. Tourism is everyone’s business and should be the new focus to move forward.

“It will also serve as a local platform to work with the relevant tourism authorities and act as the voice for tourism development within the region. The committee will therefore be a business-driven initiative striving for partnership between the private and public sectors. Our diversity and incredible resources have yet to be exploited fully; however, we believe that, with a new focus and dedication, the Soutpansberg will once again come alive.”

The Chamber decided to keep the name Soutpansberg, because many of the residents have used the name in their businesses and associations.

Michelle Goldschmidt, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism secretary, can be contacted at 079 902 9988 for more information. Her office will be located at the Info Centre in Songozwi Street, next to the N1. Local crafts are also displayed at the centre.