GRASKOP – This small town’s airfield will undergo massive upgrades in the near future. However, the poor condition of the roads leading to it may be a threat to its development.
The state of the roads was a crucial point of discussion at a meeting with potential project investors of the Graskop Airfield upgrade project on Saturday.
Nedbank chairman Dr Reuel Khoza plans to establish a state-of-the-art airfield at the heart of a new tourism development, which is already underway at the existing airfield.
Upgrades to the airfield will cost from R500 000 to R 900 000 and the hangars will cost about R500 000 each.
A wooden clubhouse will be erected next to the runway where non-pilots can also enjoy the view.
The mountain-top Evelyn wedding chapel with its riveting view, a glass marquee and a top-notch restaurant are already open for public use.
Construction of the boutique hotel, with a value of about R70 million, will start in January and should be completed in August.The hotel will have 60 luxury rooms, three conference rooms, a gym and a spa.
Khoza bought the premises in Graskop from Dr Robbie Nel earlier this year and saw the need for a small, private airfield and tourism company to nurture tourism in the area.
Avis Mpumalanga, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Commerce and Micro Aviation were among the potential investors at the meeting.
However, all the investors voiced their concern about the effect of the terrible roads on tourism in the area and how this could jeopardise their investment.
“The roads are the veins that bring the life to the town. If they are in a terrible condition tourism in the town will suffer.”
Khoza took note of all the obstacles which may be a risk to the development and would take it up with the relevant municipalities.
“I will speak to the provincial MEC for finance, economic development and tourism and let him know how important it is to upgrade the roads, not only for our development but for tourism in all the surrounding towns,” he said.
“Our goal is to enhance tourism in the area by providing a location where tourists can fly in for a weekend, rent a car and explore the area,” said freelance airport manager Mr Jean van der Riet. “However, we cannot control the roads. We can only control the aeroplanes.”
The development forms part of the Hoyohoyo hospitality group, owned by Khoza and his wife Ms Mumsy Khoza and Hoyohoyo Acornhoek, Hoyohoyo Machado Stud Fly Fishing and Hoyohoyo Sabi River Eco Estate.
