Botswana: Primary Works to Start At Letsibogo Tourism Project - The Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) hopes to secure P13 million for the development of preliminary works in support of tourism activities around Letsibogo Dam in Mmadinare. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Cross River, Six Flags in Strategic Partnership to Develop Theme Park - CROSS River State government and Six Flags Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SIXFQ), the world's largest regional theme park company, announced, weekend, plans to develop a branded theme park in Calabar as part of the state's "Destination Tourism" development plan. [AA Construction]

By Chris Bathembu

Johannesburg - Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk says South Africa will meet FIFA's accommodation requirements during the 2010 World Cup.

"We have enough accommodation in this country and that has always been our argument," the minister told BuaNews on Wednesday.

The minister explained that a distinction should be made between the accommodation that was needed for fans and that needed for the FIFA family, which included players, match officials and FIFA delegates.

He said 155 000 rooms were reserved within the host cities, and an additional 100 000 rooms outside of host cities, which was what FIFA required for the FIFA family.

"What FIFA says is that they want 255 000 contracted rooms," said the minister.

Satellite accommodation was introduced, where people are transported to the matches and back again, however, the minister said it was up to FIFA to find transport to get these people to and from the stadiums.

"We need to sort out the challenges in transport because we have enough accommodation here," said the minister.

Namibia: Von Bach Project Said to Be 'Fatally Flawed' - TUNGENI Africa Investments, the BEE company that controversially obtained a 100-year lease over the Von Bach resort, was warned by NamWater and Department Water Affairs officials in October that their proposed 240-home development is "fatally flawed". [AA Construction]

Zimbabwe: Country Seeks World Cup Tourism Bonanza - Zimbabwe, its economy in ruins, is dreaming of millions of tourist dollars and even training visits by international soccer stars when the World Cup comes to South Africa next year. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: 'Abuja Eyes 20 Best Cities in the World' - The drive to position Abuja on the global tourist and investment map informed the actions and policies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero, aimed at entrenching the territory as one of the 20 best cities in the world. [AA Construction]

Pretoria - Johannesburg is gearing for the major crowds expected at its nine public viewing sites for the FIFA Confederations Cup opener on Sunday.

The first match in the tournament will see Bafana Bafana and Iraq clashing at Coca Cola Park.

City Parks has partnered with Township TV to host nine public viewing sites in impoverished areas where all the Confederations Cup matches will be broadcast free to the public.

The nine sites will offer fans a fiesta with a party atmosphere promising to thrill fans watching the Festival of Champions.

With support from sponsors, MTN, the Township TV concept has evolved into MTN eKasi TV where nine of the City of Johannesburg's parks in townships offer the public a novel dimension to using public recreation space.

The nine public viewing sites of eKasi TV are: Diepsloot, Thokoza Park Soweto, Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Alexandra and Joubert Park.

City Parks spokesperson Jenny Moodley said they were satisfied the parks would be used safely and that litter, vandalism and vagrancy would be non-existent in these parks where a 24-hour security service is operating.

Samson Mulugeta

For decades, the Senegalese capital of Dakar has stood out as a vibrant, cosmopolitan centre in West Africa, an intoxicating mix of Africa, Islamic influences and French sophistication.

It’s the birthplace of Negritude, the philosophy of black pride and ideas whose strongest champion was Leopold Sedar Senghor, Senegal’s first president. Senghor, the nation’s philosopher-king for nearly 20 years, gave up power willingly, ensuring a democratic tradition that has made Senegal a model of orderly transition in the continent.

The port city is a place that manages to balance a deep Islamic piety with an African joy de vivre that splashes a dash of magnanimity into the sterner version of the faith practiced further north and east.

Dakar was the place chosen by Thabo Mbeki and the African National Congress in the late 1980s for secret meetings with South African business leaders, a step on the road towards the peaceful negotiated transition from apartheid rule in the early 1990s.

By Siphiwe Nyathi

Nelspruit - Communities interested in developing tourism opportunities on land claims projects in Limpopo have until 15 June to submit proposals.

Trade and Investment Limpopo (TIL) spokesperson Polelo Maduwe said the organisation was looking for experienced business people who are interested in creating viable and sustainable businesses on land handed back to communities by the Regional Land Claims Commission (RLCC).

"We want to encourage sustainable development within the tourism industry and economic developments within our rural communities in the province," said Mr Maduwe.

He said applicants must be prepared to visit the relevant community, outline a clear ownership structure and partnership period and send business and implementation plans.

"They must submit expression-of-interest documents that list the company or joint venture's profile, their project approach, a tax clearance certificate, detailed costs and an indication of financial commitment," said Mr Maduwe.

TIL is a Limpopo provincial government agency that markets potential investment opportunities in the province to local, national and international business communities.

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Johannesburg - The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is to construct a unique Welcome Village to greet tourists as they arrive at OR Tambo International Airport.

OR Tambo is expected to be one of the major ports of entry into the country during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The village will be built around a central amphitheatre, where visitors can enjoy live performances including music, street theatre, drumming and dance.

A circle of huts and stalls will offer ticket and accommodation booking, information on local restaurants and entertainment as well as food, gifts and souvenirs.

Announced by the Member of the Mayoral Committee in charge of Sports, Recreation and 2010, Councilor Vulindlela Mapekula on Friday, the village will be situated in Dries Niemand Park in Kempton Park.

Mr Mapekula said the municipality was committed to playing a major supporting role to host cities and ensuring the hosting of a successful World Cup.

"To us as a metro, we want to leave an everlasting impression in the minds of the international world that Ekurhuleni is indeed a unique place where one can come to stay and play," he said.

Rwanda: 6,000 Hotel Rooms Needed By 2012 - The projection comes at a time when the country has been ranked among the top 10 travel destinations by travel guide Lonely Planet, which is likely to result in more tourists visiting the country. This will put extra pressure on the 163 hotels currently operating. [AA Construction]

The world is watching in anticipation as stadiums go up, roads and highways are built or upgraded, and a country once faced with overwhelming odds draws closer to hosting the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet, writes Michael Appel.

In exactly 500 days, about three billion eyes will watch in anticipation as the coveted event touches down in Africa for the first time in history.

While such a spectacle will always draw its sceptics and share of pessimists, it is the responsibility of the public, private and business sectors, as well as the public at large to cast aside blanket views of failure for the country.

One of the most positive spin-offs for the country is the massive influx of foreigners destined for South Africa's sunny shores, and the investment they bring with them.

Among those industries set to boom in a massive way over at least the next five years are the hotel, tourism, transport, restaurant and catering industries, and of course, what is referred to as South Africa's second economy, small scale entrepreneurs and artisans.

Nigeria: 60-Storey Transcorp Hilton in Port Harcourt - A 60-storey Transcorp Hilton hotel is to be built in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke has announced. [AA Construction]