The Platfontein Lodge and Conference Centre will undergo a multimillion-rand facelift following a decision by the national Department of Tourism to fund extensive renovations to the facility.
THE PLATFONTEIN Lodge and Conference Centre will undergo a multimillion-rand facelift following a decision by the national Department of Tourism to fund extensive renovations to the facility.
The spokesperson for the facility, Les Abrahams, said the national department had committed to make the funds available during an oversight visit by Parliament’s Select Committee on Transport, Public Works and Infrastructure and the Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour last week.
The parliamentary committees were concerned that the lodge would have to close because of infrastructure problems, poor soil conditions and the overflowing water along the R31.
They pointed out that tourism was a major economic driver in the Northern Cape and that despite attempts to repair the facility there were limited funds at their disposal.
Abrahams stated that the select committees were “strongly critical” of the workmanship at the R27-million complex, which was built five years ago.
“The lodge section had to be closed in 2019 due to extensive cracking of walls, soil movement affecting foundations and inadequate stormwater drainage leading to flooding during heavy rains,” said Abrahams.
He welcomed the funding announcement, which he believes will allow the facility to operate to its full potential and provide much-needed job opportunities during the reconstruction phase.
“The complex was originally built by the national Department of Tourism (NDT) as an economic development initiative for the San community of Platfontein. The management company will operate the facility for 15 years while the community will be trained to eventually do so themselves.”
Abrahams stated that the estimated cost of the facelift was still being calculated.
“Its foundations will have to be strengthened as well as structural work done, running into tens of millions of rand. The NDT told the parliamentary select committee it could not divulge the estimated cost of reconstruction at this stage as it was engaged with the procurement process.”
He added that they had been engaging with various NDT ministers for more than three years regarding the deteriorating conditions at the lodge and the need for remedial action.
“The lodge section stopped operating barely six months after the complex became operational and only the conference centre was used prior and after the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He also stated that the flooding and subsequent reconstruction of the R31 was a huge financial blow to the staging of events at the conference centre.
“We are situated on the R31, next to the main dam, which at the time effectively closed access to our facility. We endured the full effects of Covid-19 restrictions, but business at the convention centre showed a definite upturn from late 2021. We even hosted the Northern Cape provincial government’s cabinet lekgotla in February this year.
“We unreservedly welcome the announcement by the national Department of Tourism at the select committee hearings that they had appointed the Development Bank of Southern Africa as its implementing agents and Indyebo Engineering and Project Management as its professional assistance partner to undertake the reconstruction project. The NDT expects the contractor to be appointed within two months and will start work early in the new year.
“With the reopening of the R31 this past week, the conference centre can now freely operate and will also be open throughout the refurbishment period.”
Abrahams pointed out that the constant leaking of sewage from Gogga pump station and fresh water from the damaged water main lines in the area was the main cause of the dam of water that accumulated along the R31.
DA Member of Parliament Delmaine Christians urged Sol Plaatje Municipality to provide a detailed breakdown of all the leakages before any more funds were spent on the road and diversion project to the Vaal River.
“We also need to investigate the E. coli levels of the lake, as solving problems superficially will carry hidden and long-term costs,” said Christians.
“Regarding the looming Sanral takeover of the R31, clarity must be provided in respect of who will carry the costs incurred by the Province in respect of uplifting the road, as well as the budgetary impact of the takeover.”
