The group, calling itself Eros Valley Development Consortium (EVDC) and led by prominent businessman Sidney Martin as its Executive Director, consists of well-known business personalities - Frank Fredericks, Desmond Amunyela, Lazarus Jacobs, Stephen Paschke, Russell Paschke, Neil Salt, Koos du Toit and Coen van Graan.

It wants to build the Eros Valley Golf Estate on a vacant 255-hectare municipality-owned plot north of Eros.

The development would include an 18-hole tournament golf course, driving range, sports academy, 450 residential plots, a clubhouse, hotel and a health spa.

The consortium will hold a public meeting next month to discuss the project.

The public will have a chance to meet and talk with the project's developer, technical team and environmental consultant, among others.

An official application would then be presented to the City of Windhoek for consideration, Martin said.

Speaking to The Namibian, Martin said his group was in constant discussions with the municipality, adding that indications from the City's side seemed 'positive' and he was optimistic that they would get the nod on the golf estate.

Martin said a development of this magnitude would boost the country's economy through visits by golf professionals, sports enthusiasts and general tourists.

"There is growth potential and this development will also have a positive impact on Namibia's economy due to its contribution to tourism," said Martin.

He could not say how much the project would cost, but hinted that it would be millions of dollars.

Martin added the project was also in line with meeting the master-plan objectives of the City of Windhoek, which include contributing to the City's housing development and expansion.

Martin, Amunyela and Jacobs are also involved in the N$200 million coastal project - dubbed the Links Golf Estate - which has yet to get approval from the Swakopmund Municipality.

Martin, however, stressed that these developments - although similar in nature - were separate projects.

If approved, construction of the Eros Valley Golf Estate would take at least two years, and according to Martin would provide direct employment for some 1 000 to 1 500 people.

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