Mnquma push for tourism
Summit aims to attract investors
THE Mnquma district centred on Butterworth is an unsung destination on the tourist route through the Eastern Cape, but the local authority is pushing hard to promote tourism as part of attracting investment into the area.
The municipality will host an investment summit on Wednesday to kick-start efforts to boost the economy of the district, with tourism initiatives among the range of opportunities in the area.
Butterworth is an important gateway to the Wild Coast, which is widely regarded as one of the untapped natural gems of the Eastern Cape.
But the Mnquma district itself also forms part of the Wild Coast, with four beaches and a wealth of marine biodiversity.
The coastal environment consists of beaches, rocky shores, estuaries, sand dunes and coastal vegetation.
In his policy speech last month, Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said access to the Wild Coast, especially for foreign tourists, was key to maximising tourism revenue.
With this in mind, the province has allocated R456-million to upgrade rural access roads to facilitate “the mobility of tourists who regularly come to witness the natural splendour on offer along the Wild Coast”.
Hospitality for visitors en route to the Wild Coast is a logical business opportunity, along with other services such as provision of fuel, vehicle repairs and food supplies.
But the area also has its own natural and heritage attractions which, in line with Somyo’s policy statements, have already been developed and provide further opportunities for tourism growth.
The beautiful surrounding countryside is excellent for hiking, with fishing and boating opportunities on local rivers and man-made lakes.
The magnificent Bawa Waterfalls, about 10km from Butterworth, is at 103m the highest in the province. The waterfall is on the Qolora River and is also fed by the Lower Mpenduza, Upper Mpenduza and Umzazi rivers.
An exhibition centre near the falls takes advantage of the natural beauty and showcases the rich history of the area, especially its place in the 100-year frontier wars fought in the province from 1779 to 1879 between Xhosa tribes and British colonial forces over territory.
The centre is located at the homestead of headman Ngcayechibi, and tells of the last frontier war popularly known as imfazwe ka Ngcayechibi (Ngc war).
The umnquma tree, which gives its name to the municipality, is found in the area.
Places of heritage interest nearby include the grave of King Phalo, the paramount chief of the Xhosa from 1736 to 1775.
The Reverend Tiyo Soga’s grave is at Tuturha Village near Centane. Soga had a wide-ranging role in the Eastern Cape in the 1800s as a minister, journalist, bible translator and composer. One of his hymns, Lizalis’ idinga lakho Thixo wenyaniso (God of truth, fulfil your promise), remains a firm favourite in local communities 150 years after it was written.
Siyongwana’s grave, Blythswood caves (both in Nqamakwe), the Centane War Memorial and Nongqawuse’s pools – also in Centane – are other heritage sites of interest to visitors.
There are six craft centres across Mnquma – at Nombanjana (Wavecrest in Centane), Ikhamanga at Qholorha, Sokapase, Sithembele Zokhwe, Kei Bridge and Mnquma Crafts – that nurture indigenous talent and produce for markets.
The municipality has previously stated that the coastline, based on its beauty and holiday facilities at Centane, offers great possibilities for tourism, along with Bawa Falls and heritage sites.
● The investment summit will take place at the Ibika campus of Walter Sisulu University in Butterworth on Wednesday and starts at 8am.
Visitors will be taken on a tour of business and factory sites to get a better understanding of the opportunities.
For further information, contact Loyiso Mpalantshane on 076-940-1628 or 074-373-7860.