About 100 jobs as E200m Hlane Motel takes shape
HLANE – Hlane is slowly but surely turning into a cultural town. This is because the E200 million Hlane Roadside Motel project currently undertaken by government, is now almost 80 per cent complete. It is expected that this facility will provide over 100 jobs for emaSwati, though these numbers were still subject to confirmation from the relevant authorities at the time of compiling this report.
The new structure is just a few kilometres from the King Mswati III International Airport and the Hlane Royal Residence.
It has been reliably gathered that this new motel is a multi-stakeholder concept, led by government through the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
One of the benefits having motels near airports is being located in a comfortable location with competitive prices. Most often than not, these structures are usually found in rural areas of the country. It is understood that such motels offer the same service with their competitors.
One of the biggest advantages of such proximity is that they are very much close to each other so that travellers could easily find accommodation before proceeding with their intended businesses in the country.
It is anticipated that in the next two years, Hlane, situated next to the local game reserve, will turn into one of the most developed areas in the country, with a lot of economic and tourism activities.
Information gathered is that besides the motel, other developments are expected to commence in the next coming years and these include an upmarket shopping mall and other initiatives aimed at growing the country’s economy. It has been established that these developments will be undertaken through private investments.
PoPuLar
It must be said that the motel will also be utilised for accommodation for those attending the second edition of the popular Buganu Festival.
The second edition of the festival is held at Hlane Royal Palace and it is graced by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother - Indlovukazi.
The long-term plan, it has been gathered, is for the Hlane Roadside Motel to also have a filling station constructed close by. The contract tenders for these projects are being done by the Construction Associates (CA), and MA Dlamini Consulting Engineers.
It is worth noting that one of these construction sites were visited by His Majesty King Mswati III during one of his stays at the Hlane Royal Residence after the Buganu Ceremony.
The motel is shaping up into a double-storey building with 42 rooms, including six executive suites, double and single rooms. It will also have a conference centre, a restaurant which will accommodate 80 people in one sitting, a pool and a bar area.
Further developments will include a shopping complex and additional residential units.
CA, a subsidiary company under Inyatsi Group Holdings is currently involved in the construction of other major projects in the country, including the International Convention Centre (ICC), the ESCCOM Headquarters, which are both in Ezulwini.
CA is also responsible for the construction of the Matsapha Lifestyle Centre.
DeveLoPment
In his address during the Buganu Ceremony at Hlane, His Majesty said such events were the catalyst to initiate development in rural areas. The King’s dream has always been to see Hlane being developed just like Buhleni, which is now a hive of activity.
The other projects taking place at this venue is the construction of a sports arena, which is widely anticipated to be used for the first time by Lutsango in this year’s Buganu Festival. Other projected long-term new developments include the construction of a clinic and school.
Khangeziwe Mabuza, Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said her ministry was indirectly involved in the motel project. “Our involvement only happens once the project is complete, which is when our role as a ministry is then required,” the PS said.
She advised this publication to contact the initiators of the project. It was not certain who the main responsible initiators of the project were, but sources said the project was viable and would benefit the country in terms of job creation and gross domestic product (GDP).