Tungeni Africa invests N$456m in tourism

TUNGENI Africa Investments, a Namibian-owned black economic empowerment (BEE) company which operates in the infrastructural development and tourism sectors, will invest N$456,6 million to improve and upgrade four popular tourism spots.

The facilities are at Mile 72, Mile 108 and Jakkalsputz at the coast and the Von Bach Dam north of Windhoek, which are property of the state-owned enterprise Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).’Tungeni Africa plans to upgrade these holiday and tourism destinations in an economically sustainable and environmentally friendly manner that will be equally beneficial to the Namibian economy, the environment and society,’ announced the company’s Managing Director, Iyaloo ya Nangolo, this week. In July 2008 the company signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) for these four holiday spots. ‘Tungeni’s tourism wing, Tungeni Serenity Experience, took over the management of Von Bach Dam, Jakkalsputz, Mile 72 and Mile 108 and has upscale and exciting projects planned and approved for these holiday destinations – currently running at a loss due to the lack of infrastructure and services, outdated business strategies, inflexibility, bureaucracy and a lack of investments,’ according to Ya Nangolo.’Our development strategy for Von Bach Dam is two-fold and the investment there will be over N$450 million. The Oujere Lifestyle Village development plan there is designed to ensure the maintenance of water quality and to address environmental concerns, including potential pollution around the dam, by dealing with illegal and uncontrolled settlement around the dam as well as illegal water crafts’ fuel emissions, which are said to be the main source of pollution.’ According to the company’s statement, the Von Bach Dam project will create about 1 000 jobs during construction and about 300 permanent jobs thereafter. Some of the facilities that will attract tourism are the new boutique lodge and the restaurant along the water’s edge. Along with these facilities, the village will cater for other recreational activities like golfing, yachting, water skiing, game driving, angling, horse riding, cultural tourism and hiking.The first part of Tungeni Africa’s development amounting to N$6,6 million on the west coast areas of Namibia has already been completed. Plans to increase footprint and add value to campsites at Mile 72, Mile 108 and Jakkalsputz include upgrading the current facilities and exploring their potential during the off-peak season by building beach chalets, providing on-site camping gear and services such as light breakfast snacks.