Times Of Swaziland: NEW BOTIQUE HOTEL AT BUHLENI

NEW BOTIQUE HOTEL AT BUHLENI
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 BY KWANELE DHLADHLA   on 11/01/2019 00:50:00


MBABANE – A state-of-the art hotel is coming to Buhleni.  Plans are well
underway for the construction of an open house boutique hotel to be located
along the Madlangemphisi–Mayiwane road across the Lugongodlwane River at the
Ntabunezimpisi area.
The open house resort, which will incorporate an amusement park, amphitheatre,
120 bed hotel and 11 chalets, restaurants, multi-purpose indoor recreational
facility and conference, will be erected on 10 hectares of land.
According to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) collated by SHERQ
Professional Services in accordance with the Environmental Audit, Assessment and
Review Regulations of 2000, the purpose of the project is to add to the
development of the Buhleni town.
Ideal
SHERQ, whose Director is Wandile Hlatshwayo, explained that in line with His
Majesty King Mswati III’s vision to mutate the kingdom into a First World
country by 2022, the three star resort would be an ideal investment to propel
the country into attaining its vision.
In the report, Hlatshwayo stated that Buhleni had been chosen for the scores of
tourists and locals attracted by the annual Marula Festival which takes place in
the early months of the year, normally in February. During the festival,
different people from different parts of the world come together to have a taste
of the naturally brewed marula beverage and also have a feel of other products
manufactured using the indigenous fruit.
“The open house resort will add to the development of Buhleni since there is
currently a shortage of entertainment facilities as well as guest houses,”
reads the EIA in part.
Hlatshwayo explained that the project would be constructed in four phases
anticipated to create approximately 200 jobs. The first phase being the erection
of chalets followed by 60 hotel rooms, and then an additional 60 rooms, while
the theme park will be the last. The theme park will comprise of a range of
gaming technology and machines to cater for various age groups including a water
slide connecting to a pool.
“During the construction phases, local contractors will be given first
preference. We also hope to bring a skills transfer to the people of Buhleni
through provision of job opportunities and sustainable livelihood,” Hlatshwayo
explained.
Asked about the value of investment, Hlatshwayo said the actual amount of money
to be injected into the project would be determined soon after finalisation of
designs and logistics pertaining to the construction period.
In terms of how the project was anticipated to improve the country as whole,
Hlatshwayo pointed out that the innovation and technology to be installed at the
theme park would also help provide an opportunity to technocrats to explore
their skills.
“We are confident that the upcoming project will unlock talent of the Buhleni
folk especially in the field of technology,” added Hlatshwayo.
Submit
It should be mentioned that interested or affected parties have been requested
to submit comments or objections as per the Environmental Audit, Assessment and
Review Regulations of 2000 on or before January 18, 2019.
The Project Director, Siphiwe Dlamini, said the open house boutique hotel was
borne out of the desire to provide tourists and locals with a different
entertaining atmosphere. She said they also ought to improve the economy of the
kingdom through job creation.
“We are building the open boutique hotel to give tourists a choice and also
improve our beloved Eswatini for the better,” said Siphiwe.
Eswatini Tourism Authority Marketing Manager Bongani Dlamini said they were
ecstatic about the new development. He said any improvement within the tourism
industry would help a great deal towards attracting more tourists into the
kingdom.
“Construction of the open house boutique hotel at Buhleni helps spread tourist
attraction sites to all parts of the country as opposed to being confined within
the Mbabane-Manzini corridor,” added Bongani.