By Kefiloe Kajane
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) has contracted two local-owned companies to manage ‘Maletsunyane Falls and the Butha-Buthe Visitors Comfort Facilities (VCF).
The ‘Maletsunayane Falls VCF will be managed by ‘Maletsunanye Ventures which has been awarded a 20-years contract while the Butha-Buthe VCF will be managed by Southern Express which has been a 25-year contract.
The waterfall is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest commercially operated abseil with a highest of 204 metres.
Butha-Buthe is the starting point for the Roof of Africa Route which runs past Oxbow to Mokhotlong.
There are caves revered used by the San near Qalo and Sekubu, and dinosaur footprints.
LTDC chief executive officer, Sehlabaka Ramafikeng, encouraged the investors to work well together with the communities they will be around, in order to grow local tourism.
He said as the investors are still young, they should use that to their advantage and be innovative as well as manage the facilities with diligence.
According to LTDC public relations officer, Molapo Matela, the two investors were the best qualified after a tender advertisement was placed by LTDC.
He said the community living around these places will get permanent jobs, which is a great opportunity for all.
Speaking to theReporter yesterday, the owner and managing director of Southern Express Motlatsi Russell said as far as he and his team are concerned, the contract is a major milestone. He said they had previously attempted numerous times to win the contract and they are delighted to have finally secured it.
“To a local company this is a huge milestone. We are grateful to be part of growing the tourism industry of this country, which happens to have great potential. We are hoping for a fruitful journey ahead of us,” he said.
The LTDC’s head of product development and investment promotion Mamello Morojele said the investors are expected to manage and enhance the facilities.
She said ‘Maletsunyane VCF has a restaurant, conferencing halls, hall for events and offices which include and information office that will be operated by the LTDC.
She indicated that the investor, ‘Maletsunyane Adventures, is expected to establish a kids’ theme park, outdoor and indoor facilities and view point photo booth.
“The idea is that in three years, the operator will establish a zip-line and suspension bridge. They are also expected to contribute two percent of all revenue from events into the Semonkong Tourism Development Forum’s account.
“The same goes for the Butha-Butha VCF; the investor, Southern Express, is expected to revamp the existing Butha-Buthe VCF that has 16 stores and five rooms which are being used as offices. Stores will be used to host community interest groups, restaurant, an art gallery, camping and picnic sites, offices and boardroom for small meetings
“It is also expected to reconstruct a 10-bedroom guesthouse, and finally, to deposit two percent of all revenue into the Butha-Buthe Community Tourism Development Forum’s bank account every year,” she said
