MBOMBELA – The Mbombela Local Municipality’s (MLM) launch of the new Mpumalanga International Convention Centre (ICC) was met with stern contention by the opposition during a recent council meeting on February 26.
The proposed plans for the ICC were unveiled in January during an official launch at Mbombela Stadium with the purpose of increasing local economic development in the province and MLM.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a motion fully opposing this illustrious development the main reason being the municipality’s current financial constraints.
DA ward councillor, Mr Hannes de Kock, expressed his dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms with an emphasis on the financial aspect of this new development.
“It boggles the mind that locals must pay more tax money for an international convention centre when there are already a number of excellent facilities in Mbombela,” De Kock said.
“We should stop wasting money and rather focus on current problems that need urgent attention such as service delivery.” According to leader of the DA caucus, Mr Jo Koster, there is no need for a brand-new ICC as there are a number of centres which are struggling to be filled as is.
“The influx of tourists and potential investors are not enough at this point in time. The general public will also not be able to fill the centre,” believes Koster.
This motion was not accepted by council and will most definitely be a point of contention in the next council meetings if the opposition’s displeasure is anything to go by.
Interestingly, at the recent State of the Province Address (Sopa) Mpumalanga premier Mr David Mabuza spoke positively on the new facility which formed part of the province’s goal of improving strategic infrastructure development.
“Going into the future, we will continue to prioritise strategic infrastructure-development initiatives to support the growth of priority sectors.
The Mbombela Municipality has publicly launched the concept and the model of the proposed ICC to entice private-sector interest and investment,” he said in his speech.
During ICC’s launch it was reported that the centre would be a beacon of economic development in Mbombela. The convention centre formed part of an initiative by the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA),
It was also stated at the launch that HL Hall & Sons properties availed prime property to the government and would be located on land which was previously occupied by the Lowveld Agricultural College.
One of the biggest reasons for its establishment was the link that it would create between Mbombela and White River. The development would include housing for up to 828 middle-income and 352 low-cost houses, residential apartments and student accommodation at the University of Mpumalanga.
Construction is expected to start in mid-2015 with the facilities expected to be fully operational by 2020.
