BY OBAKENG MAJE
Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural village is located in the heart of the African bushveld and rocky hills, in the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site.

The Lesedi African Lodge falls in North West province and the North West Tourism Department MEC Desbo Mohono said the province want to sell itself to worldwide tourists as it is rich in tourism.

“Be set to be enthralled in an adventure that reveals the mystical cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, as you encounter five traditional homesteads, each inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes who live according to tribal folklore and traditions of their ancestors” Mohono said.

The Lesedi African Lodge tour guide, Thami Khumalo said “Our culture is the light of our nation – whoever walks here among our cultures at Lesedi can also see the light”.

A warm, traditional welcome awaits as your escort takes you to “their’ village. Accommodation is unique as you stay in comfortable, traditionally styled rooms, and once settled, you’re introduced to the many colourful and fascinating aspects of the cultures of the people of Lesedi.

New additions to the village and African Lodge are the luxury Nguni rooms which include richly decorated double suites. These carry the same vibrant colours and energy as the other guestrooms in the village and are also unique to the Zulu tribe they represent, adding to the existing accommodation options.

Start your journey at the Ndebele village with an introduction to the cultural experience preceded by a multi-media presentation on the history and origins of South Africa’s rainbow nation.

According to MEC Mohono, the media is critically important in assisting the department and government in general to promote destination North West. She said that the media forms integral platforms that can be used to ensure that the province becomes a preferred destination for both international and local tourists.

“The Department saw it fit to come up with strategies that will thoroughly market the province, and the Media Tour was one in many of our strategies to showcase and put our province into the pedestal of the Tourism sector. Our rapport with media houses is important and we saw it fit to rekindle that while at the same time making sure that we harness the call of working together with the Private sector and our Government,” said MEC Mohono.

“I am sure most of you know that in our province Agriculture, Tourism and Culture are tasked with making sure that we turn the fortunes of this province come the year 2019 with a margin of 6%.Our province is 70 % rural but 100% rich with natural resources and Tourism products that needs the world to know about. Now we have in not so many words asked you to sell our products in the entire world out there,” she said.

Among the touring journalists, was an award winning North West SABC journalist, Dimpho Gopane. Gopane expressed her gratitude and delight at the beautiful tourism products and the environment within the province.

“I never thought that the province has such amazing sites and historical places. We are rich in culture as a province, and through partnership we can indeed assist and contribute positively towards tourism development and economic growth. The province has a serious potential of attracting tourists,” said Gopane.

Among other places visited by Journalists were, the gigantic Vredefort Dome, The ancestral Dinkgwaneng in Taung, The famous Taung Skull, The Heritage Route between the two adjacent provinces of Northern Cape and our Province which has South African Olive hub, The Barolong BooRratshidi Tribal Authority, The North West University, Mphe Batho Museum in Moruleng, The Royal Marang destiny, Ukuthula Lions Den and Cable Way Aerial.

-TDN

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