LIMPOPO – More questions than answers surround a project called Royal Ivory Destination developed by Karama International, centered around a proposed construction of an international airport near the Greater Kruger area.

This comes after the Herald reported on the €15 billion project introduced during a luncheon hosted by the Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce on Friday, February 28.

At the centre of the controversy are questions about the developer, Louw Booysen. A post on the Hoedspruit Town Facebook group featuring a photo of the Herald story was inundated with comments.

Chairperson Naomi Excell said they were informed of the new development and in good faith invited Booysen as a speaker. “We checked his CV; we were not aware beforehand of any conflict Mr Booysen has had with Hoedspruit residents,” she said.

Booysen sent a letter in response to Herald’s queries. Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) was unaware of any developments.

The full letter received from Booysen:

“To Whom It May Concern,
7 March 2025

I am writing in response to recent discussions on Facebook regarding the article in the Herald about the new airport for Hoedspruit. However, before I continue, I need to make it very clear that we are not involved in Eastgate, and we have no desire to become involved in Eastgate whatsoever. We wish Eastgate a prosperous operation, and even if they succeed in obtaining an international license, the RID Project will continue in full compliance with the laws of South Africa.

While the reporter made several errors and included incorrect information, I want to assure you that the project is real, despite the accusations and speculation made by some members of the group against the project our company and myself in person.

I do not condone the discussion, as I am well aware that many participants were misinformed—something we deliberately sought to prevent. The research behind this project took more than five years, and we intentionally kept details private to avoid exactly this kind of situation.

Addressing Accusations and Misinformed Statements
Normally, I would not respond to the flood of accusations, but I felt it necessary to address the matter directly. I will also not defend myself against accusations levelled against myself as there is nothing to defend. Several misconceptions have been raised in discussions, which I would like to clarify:

• Some claim that Hoedspruit is getting too big and that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would not allow further development. However, all developments in South Africa are guided by the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and we are following the correct process. People should wait for the formal public participation process rather than speculating without knowing the facts.

• Others argue that the funds should rather be spent on anti-poaching and housing. If those making these statements had taken the time to understand the project’s full scope, they would know that these issues are already integral components of the development.

• Some keyboard warriors claim the project is fake. While they are entitled to their opinions, the project is real, fully funded, and in compliance with all necessary regulations. It is not tax payers money.

• A few individuals appear to believe this is a government project. To clarify, this is a fully private initiative. The only government involvement will be through the Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) for customs and immigration services as GAAL is the only entity in Limpopo Province legally mandated to do customs and immigration services.

• One statement suggested that the mayor is unaware of the project. This may be true, as municipal approval was granted after a presentation of the project was made in the council chambers where we received approval. This was before the new mayor took office. Multiple attempts to engage with the current mayor have gone unanswered. We have documented proof of all statements we are making. We have documented proof of all approvals.

• Assumptions have been made without understanding key benefits of the project. For example, the completion of the new airport will reduce air traffic over Greater Kruger by more than 80%, as flight paths in and out of the new airport will be directed over Acornhoek.

• The agricultural sector will benefit significantly. Given the current state of South Africa’s rail and port infrastructure, the new airport will provide local farmers with a much-needed alternative for exporting their produce efficiently and without reliance on failing systems. The thorough airfreight demand study show if only 15% of the areas export goes through the new airport it will be financially feasible. Our target is 30% of all available export.

• The RID Project has the potential to contribute between 0,72% and 1.34% to the country’s GDP depending on the percentage of income—a significant economic boost.

• Additionally, this project includes a comprehensive solution to the municipality’s landfill problem, ensuring sustainable waste management and environmental responsibility.

Clarification Regarding Eastgate Airport

With reference to recent media reports and online discussions about the international licensing of Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit, I have been inundated with concerns from various parties who perceive this as a potential threat to our planned operations. Several important factors must be considered in assessing the situation. Eastgate Airport is a domestic airport operating from the Hoedspruit Air Force Base. The facilities belong to the Department of Public Works and are leased to the current operator. While this arrangement has facilitated the airport’s growth— making it the fastest-growing airport in the country—we have no involvement with Eastgate Airport and no intention of interfering with its plans. There have been multiple previous attempts to convert Eastgate into an international airport, some of which received political backing. However, none succeeded due to significant legal and operational constraints, including:

1. Legal Restrictions: Hoedspruit Air Force Base is classified as a National Point of Interest, making it illegal to operate a private business from this location.
2. Certification Issues: The air traffic controllers at Eastgate are not IATA- or ICAO-certified, meaning that aircraft using the airport may not insured in the event of an accident. Certifying them would require amendments to the South African Defence Act and Constitution, as military personnel cannot subscribe to external organisations. Previous attempts to resolve this issue have failed.
3. Civil Aviation Compliance: Eastgate Airport does not have the required category classification for legal national and international operations. Additionally, its emergency response capabilities and personnel do not meet Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards.

While we do not wish to discourage the current operators from pursuing their ambitions, we believe their efforts to obtain international status for Eastgate Airport are unlikely to succeed. In 2017–2018, when rumours arose that Eastgate’s lease might not be renewed, we were invited to participate in the Premier’s Employment Growth Advisory Council (PEGAC) to propose a solution. Contrary to what some may believe, we strongly advocated for the lease renewal, recognising that planning and constructing a new airport would take considerable time.

Even if Eastgate Airport were to receive political approval for an international licence, holding such a licence alone would not automatically convert it into an international airport. The history of failed attempts underscores the complexities involved.

Introduction to the Karama Group of Companies

The Karama Group of Companies comprises entities established to develop the Royal Ivory Destination Project:

• Karama International: A Mauritius-based global business company providing offshore escrow services for foreign direct investments and managing affiliated South African SPVs.
• Karama (Pty) Ltd: The main development and operational company.
• Property Skillz Invest Co 105 (Pty) Ltd: A South African company owning the land and leasing it to Karama.
• Red Carpet Leisure (Pty) Ltd: Operates tourism facilities in South Africa.

The group includes over 60 specialists in aviation, architecture, engineering, environmental impact, project management, and more.

The Royal Ivory Destination Project

The Royal Ivory Destination (RID) Project is a multi-industry initiative registered with local and provincial authorities, including the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). It incorporates:

1. An International Airport: Situated near the Greater Kruger National Park to provide a viable international airport solution.
2. Tourism Development: Includes safari lodges, adventure sports, and conservation activities.
3. Agriculture and Air Freight: Establishes a high-volume air freight
terminal for exports.
4. Supporting Projects: Covers housing, anti-poaching, industry, and social responsibility initiatives.

This project is entirely reliant on hybrid energy systems and has reached bankable status, with approvals from an international project funding programme and various government agencies.

Project Registration Process

Developing an airport in South Africa requires adherence to stringent guidelines from SACAA, IATA, ICAO, and other authorities. Each of these processes is lengthy, involving numerous checks, balances, research, and studies. Key steps undertaken for the Royal Ivory Airport include:
1. Purpose determination and feasibility studies.
2. Land identification and agreements with tribal authorities.
3. Engagement with local municipalities and provincial authorities.
4. Compliance with South Africa’s Aero Space Development Plan.
5. Appointment of SACAA-registered aviation experts.
6. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and property evaluations.
7. Securing financial feasibility and international funding approval.
8. Registration with the World Bank for political risk insurance.
9. Establishing an international credit facility.

Project Funding Programme

The RID Project is approved by an international bank funding programme. The funding is managed by a registered fund manager in Dubai, supported by Emirates Islamic Bank. The project has undergone extensive evaluation and has been confirmed as bankable, meeting all necessary financial and regulatory requirements.”