A R4,5 BILLION PROJECT ON THE PIPELINE FOR EMALAHLENI RESIDENTS.

14 MAY 2025

DURBAN - A groundbreaking R4.5 billion mega project is set to reshape the economic and tourism landscape of Emalahleni Local Municipality , bringing renewed hope for job creation and sustainable development.

Nkangala Economic Development Agency (NEDA) CEO, Dr Moeketsi Mosola, made the landmark announcement during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) at the Africa Travel Indaba on Wednesday.

The MOU aims to strengthen collaboration between NEDA and MTPA in promoting tourism within the Nkangala District Municipality, which includes six local municipalities, Emalahleni among them.

Dr Mosola emphasized that the agreement was the result of deliberate strategic planning between the two agencies. “MTPA is a critical stakeholder in what NEDA does. This MOU was not an overnight idea, it was born from thorough sessions on how we can unlock endless opportunities through tourism,” he said.

With an alarming unemployment rate of 37.6% in the Nkangala District, Dr Mosola highlighted the urgent need to stimulate job creation. “We’ve identified six key industries with the potential to drive employment and business opportunities in the district. These include mining, which already employs approximately 180,000 people, manufacturing with about 25,000 jobs, and tourism, a sector ripe for exponential growth,” he said.

Nationally, tourism contributes roughly 8.5% to South Africa’s GDP and supports about 1.8 million jobs. Dr Mosola believes this figure can be doubled through targeted regional initiatives.

Central to these efforts is a proposed R4.5 billion waterfront project in Emalahleni, which will see the transformation of a once-popular but now dilapidated dam owned by the local municipality.

The ambitious development will feature a world-class waterfront precinct, including a 4-star and a 3-star hotel, a cruise ship dock, a retail center, and the full redevelopment of the adjacent Witbank Game Reserve also under municipal ownership.

“What we are planning for the dam is two hotels, one a 4-star, the other a 3-star, because Nkangala attracts nearly 80% of domestic tourists,” Dr Mosola explained. “We also envision docking for two cruise ships, enhancing the full leisure experience. Whether it’s enjoying the serenity of wildlife, shopping, or dining at the waterfront, Emalahleni will come alive again.”

He confirmed that NEDA’s board has approved efforts to secure funding to make the project a reality.

The mega project is poised not only to rejuvenate Emalahleni’s tourism appeal but also to spark economic activity, generate jobs, and position the municipality as a key destination in Mpumalanga’s tourism corridor.

As the region sets its sights on unlocking its full tourism potential, all eyes will be on Emalahleni as it prepares for what could be one of the most transformative developments in the district’s history.