Premier announces tourism plans

TOURISM has increased dramatically to the Limpopo province. This is a result of an aggressive drive to market Limpopo as a preferred tourism destination following the establishment of the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board. This according to the premier of the province, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, in his opening speech to the provincial legislature. ”Limpopo is a proud custodian of some of the most important cultural heritage sites on the African continent. As a government and a people, we have a responsibility to protect this heritage even as we make it accessible to a wider audience through marketing and publicity. ”These icons are not only important for tourism but also for the preservation of the history and culture of our people. Accordingly, we have opened discussions with the University of Pretoria in order to return to us the golden rhino sculpture and other artefacts taken from the Mapungubwe Kingdom,” he announced. Ramatlhodi said the province was also investigating the whereabouts of Ngoma Lungundu, the mythical drum of VhaVenda, in order to facilitate its return to its origin in Dzata. Other plans include the construction of a monument at Tjate - the fortress of King Sekhukhune. (Adele Mackenzie)