Blyde Canyon to become a national park

SOUTH Africa plans to turn the world's third biggest canyon, the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, into a national park. A memorandum of understanding was signed on August 19 as the first step towards establishing the Blyde River Canyon National Park. The memorandum was signed by the environmental affairs and tourism minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk; water affairs and forestry minister Buyi Sonjica and representatives of the Mpumalanga provincial government. "The area identified for the park includes the canyon and is one of the country's eco-tourism and wilderness jewels," said environmental affairs and tourism spokesperson, Mava Scott. The 50 000-hectare park will have a 110-bed hotel with restaurants and craft shops, creating about 150 new jobs. There will also be a centre to provide training in hospitality, tourism and business. The centre and hotel will be built at a cost of R30m. The park is on the Panorama Route which includes other tourist attractions like the historical mining town of Pilgrim's Rest, God's Window, the Bourke's Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondawels. (African Eye News Service)