BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MATSAMO: A new tourist attraction!
The tourist leisure centre is located in Matsamo, Mashobeni, which is a five-minute drive from Matsamo Boarder and overlooks the Driekoppies Dam.
The project, which is still in its initial phase, now consists of a restaurant that was built with seed funding from the Ministry of Tinkhundla. KOBWA, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) towards the Matsamo Community, installed an electricity line and water supply.
The EswatiniTourism Authority (ETA) Community Development Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tinkhundla, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, KOBWA, and the Matsamo Community, has invested in covering a grazing field (emadlelo) into a tourist hub in Matsamo. The news was announced on the Eswatini Tourism page today. The proposed completion of Phase 1 of this project is at the end of March 2024. The Matsamo Community is currently looking for an operator to manage and run the restaurant once it is fully completed.
Brief Background of the Project
▪The land is estimated to be over six hectares, stretches over the Driekoppies Dam, and was allocated to Chief Matsafeni Shongwe.
▪ The project is managed by a trust committee with representation from all constituencies in the Matsamo area under Chief Matsafeni Shongwe.
▪ The project aims to uplift the community and provide tangible benefits, such as the provision of employment and business opportunities, alleviating poverty while ensuring that visitors explore the destinations Eswatini has to offer.
▪Proceeds generated through tourism products from leisure are invested in communal development projects within the Mashobeni area.
Phase 2
▪The Matsamo Community is looking for partners or investors to develop water-based activities and lodging facilities to convert it into a fully-fledged tourist leisure centre.
▪The community intends to own a tourism hub through leasing structures and partnering with private companies to develop and manage tourist activities within the destination.
▪The proceeds generated through the tourism products are invested in communal development projects within Matsamo.
ETA is looking forward to the successful completion of this project.
