SPECIAL FEATURE Culture
SPECIAL FEATURE Culture and Tourism (ACT) developmental agenda for the province. In keeping with an emphasis on developing the economies of small towns and rural areas, a Rural and Social Tourism strategy is to be charted. The Department of Tourism in the North West has hosted a public meeting in the Bojanala District where discussions were held about the way forward for tourism in the province. There is a strong belief that the industry can become a major creator of jobs and wealth within communities, if the correct strategies and products are developed. Among other provincial plans is a publication FOUR DECADES OF FUN South Africa’s oldest casino, under a new and customer-centric management, is turning 40! Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention Resort is also North West’s favourite oasis with something to cater to all your needs. Situated in the historic town of Mafikeng, the capital city of the North West Province, the resort is perfect for business, weekend getaways and entertainment. The Casino Resort has invested a total of R8-million in refurbishments. These will ensure that Mmabatho Palms continues to live up to its “Oasis Style Promise”. The renovations include a revitalisation of the Leopard Conference Room, the Smoking Gaming Floor and the inclusion of the Moo Bar which is renowned for its cocktails, light snacks and sports screenings. These new additions will only enhance the existing 150-key Walmount hotel, Motswedi Restaurant, two swimming pools, kiddies area and the exquisite Palms Retreat Wellness Spa. Celebrate with Mmabatho Palms by visiting them for any of their offers that tickle your fancy, be it their fun interactive promotions, indoor and outdoor boma events, live entertainment at Motswedi Restaurant, the new Moo Bar, conferencing, scrumptious buffet specials and much more Oasis-like entertainment just for you. See you soon! to be produced by the Department of Tourism to market the province, particularly to attract potential tourists in SADC countries, in other parts of Africa and in BRICS countries like China, India, Russia and Brazil. Related to the SADC theme is a scheme to develop trans-national routes that would include sites such as Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Direct flights are being contemplated to BRICS countries. The Mahika-Mahikeng Cultural Festival is expected to grow in significance to the regional economy as it expands, having been started in 2015. Arts and culture development centres (Mmabana Centres) are found in three of the province’s districts. Twelve public museums have been identified together with 400 heritage sites as part of a census on the province’s cultural assets. The long and interesting history of the Batswana people provides rich scope for commemorations, memorials, song and dance. Cultural villages in the North West include: • Lesedi Cultural Village • Mphebatho Cultural Museum (Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela) • The Lost City of Mogale • Buya Zulu Cultural Kraal • Mapoch Ndebele Village • Gaabo Motho Cultural Village • Kortkloof Cultural Village (Tswana, Groot Marico) Anthropology comes to the fore at Taung, site of the first discovered fossil of Australopithecus africanus. The North West Development Corporation has an investment plan linked to this famous site, involving a museum, hotel and spa resort. The Treasure Route runs along the N12 highway and includes wildlife, cultural, scenic, industrial NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2018 18
Sun City – Conference with a Difference PROFILE Sun City boasts a unique and holistic offering not found anywhere else in South Africa. An iconic resort, it has so much to offer as a leisure, outdoor sports and conferencing destination. Sun City combines excellent accommodation, conferencing facilities, restaurants and leisure activities in an idyllic setting. It is where water sports and outdoor activities, wildlife, nightlife, golf, adventure, spas, vibrant casinos, four hotels, a vacation club and stateof-the-art conferencing combine in one exquisite location. The resort has prudently crafted its facilities and services to meet today’s business and leisure travellers. Taking its conferencing and conventions offering to the next level is the focus on providing consolidated conference experiences. Companies not only have access to a range of well-equipped meeting rooms and conference venues, but they can also build in morale building and leisure activities into their bespoke conference packages. There are various accommodation options: the three-star Cabanas hotel, four-star Soho hotel, five-star Cascades hotel and The Palace – the epitome of luxury. If you want a no-fuss Sun City holiday with the convenience of self-catering facilities, then you should consider joining Sun Vacation Club or explore our Bush Bungalows – an ideal setting for nature lovers, boasting 14 chalets with an eclectic-style African experience, synonymous with a truly unique Sun City offering. From a food and beverage perspective, various spaces have been transformed to make way for more exciting options and visitors have over 30 restaurants to explore. 19 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2018
