Tourism Minister, Mr. Derek Hanekom, today officially launched the False Bay Ecology Park project, constructed by the Department of Tourism, at the False Bay Nature Reserve’s Eastern Shore.
Located in the metro-south east of the City of Cape Town, the False Bay Ecology Park will be a key component of the City’s Biodiversity Network, and is set to provide recreational and environmental education opportunities for local communities and surrounding schools.
“South Africa is renowned for its captivating nature reserves and parks. Preserving our environment and nature is everyone’s responsibility, and it critical to sustaining us as a people, and our tourism industry,” said Hanekom.
The Ecology Park is located within the False Bay Nature reserve, which has been awarded a Ramsar status (International Environmental Award). The site is part of a bigger network of protected international wetlands that conserves global biological biodiversity, and the maintenance of diverse eco-systems.
“Bringing initiatives such as the Ecology Park to the Zeekoeivlei, Philippi and Lotus River communities will not only create jobs, but will also ensure that the surrounding communities share in the benefits of tourism,” added Hanekom.
The Department promotes the growth of tourism products through infrastructure developments under its Social Responsibility Implementation (SRI) projects, funded under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
An amount of R 26 million was invested in the Ecology Park project, and 240 community members were employed to construct six new ablutions blocks; rebuild roads in and around the project site; landscaping; and the construction of playground areas and 60 braai areas.
It is envisaged that the project will continue to create employment opportunities, develop a vibrant, equitable and sustainable tourism economy that will assist the local communities.
Enquiries:
Mr Trevor Bloem
Chief Director - Communications
Department of Tourism
Tel: +27 12 444 6607
Cell: +27 82 771 6729
Email: tbloem@tourism.gov.za