Mogale City Local Municipality’s (MCLM) Tourism Division has completed all internal and regulatory steps required to issue a public call for proposals for the refurbishment, expansion, financing, operation and management of the Krugersdorp Game Reserve (KGR).

According to MCLM senior communications practitioner, Tendani Shavani, the municipality has partnered with the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA) to fast-track the sourcing of a suitable private-sector partner and to jointly develop a sustainable operational model that ensures long-term growth, financial viability and meaningful benefits for both the community and the tourism sector.

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Under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, MCLM is mandated to manage the KGR, a designated protected area.

“However, the reserve has been closed for an extended period due to operational and maintenance challenges, resulting in deteriorating facilities, loss of tourism revenue and the decline of its natural assets,” Shavani said.

Given competing service delivery priorities, Shavani added that MCLM currently lacks the financial and technical capacity to refurbish and operate the reserve to its full potential.

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As a result, MCLM intends to pursue a Public-Private Partnership with an experienced operator in the hospitality, tourism, hotel, or recreational facility sector.

“The partnership will involve the design, refurbishment, construction, expansion, financing, operation and maintenance of the KGR,” Shavani continued.

She concluded that revitalising the reserve and repositioning it as a premier nature-based tourism destination, integrated with adventure and eco-tourism experiences, is expected to draw increased numbers of both local and international visitors.