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Free State Business 2017 edition

  • Text
  • Infrastructure
  • Development
  • Province
  • Investment
  • Business
  • Network
  • Bloemfontein
  • Municipality
  • Manufacturing
  • Economic
  • Province
  • Provincial
  • African
  • Opportunities
  • Mangaung
  • Industrial
Free State Business 2017 is the seventh edition of this highly successful publication that has since its launch in 2008 established itself as the premier business and investment guide to Free State Province. Supported and utilised by the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), Free State Business is unique as a business journal that focuses exclusively on the Free State.

OVERVIEW Phase Two in

OVERVIEW Phase Two in the construction of the Thabo Mofutsanyana Arts and Culture Centre has begun, and the provincial government intends establishing sound-recording studios around the province, to enable talented musicians to record their music, and derive some income from their talent. South Africa’s largest hotel groups have several brands that cater to different markets. In the Free State, Protea Hotels has five properties: Protea Hotel Bloemfontein by Marriott and Protea Hotel Willow Lake (both four-star), Protea Hotel Bloemfontein Central (three-star), Protea Hotel Montrose (Harrismith) and Protea Hotel Clarens. The four-star Southern Sun Bloemfontein, part of the Tsogo Sun group, has 147 rooms, and the Goldfields Casino in Welkom is another Tsogo Sun property. The City Lodge Bloemfontein boasts 151 rooms, and there is a Road Lodge at the airport. The Rantsoareng Group operates exclusively in the Free State and has three properties. The biggest of these is the President Hotel in Bloemfontein, a three-star hotel with 145 rooms and banqueting and conference facilities for up to 420 people. Sun International runs the Lesotho Sun and the Maseru Sun in neighbouring Lesotho. In Bloemfontein, the Windmill Casino and Entertainment Centre offers slot machines and gaming tables, plus the ability to host conferences for up to 250 delegates. The four-star Willow Lodge has 80 rooms. The Naledi Sun Hotel and Casino is about 65km from Bloemfontein. Forever Resorts has a popular resort with chalet accommodation and a caravan park on the banks of the Gariep Dam. Overlooking the dam is the 43- room de Stijl Gariep Hotel. Recent expansions have increased capacity at the hotel which can now host weddings and conferences of up to 250 delegates. The hotel was the winner of the 2015 Lilizela provincial Accommodation Award. FREE STATE BUSINESS 2017 58

OVERVIEW Routes Each of the province’s district municipality has its own tourism brand or route: Cheetah Route (Mangaung Metro and surrounds): Bloemfontein has a host of historical and cultural sites, including the Naval Hill Precinct (home to the Digital Planetarium), the Anglo- Boer War Museum, the National Museum (which has the Florisbad skull), the Choet Visser Rugby Museum, the SA Armour Museum and the Fire Station Museum. Nearby Thaba Nchu is where the great statesman Moshoeshoe held court in the second half of the 19th century, and created a nation against the odds. Springbok Route (Xhariep District): Travellers can start their journey at a diamond mine, visit a wine farm and finish on the top of the Xhariep Dam. Several Anglo-Boer War battle sites and superb San rock engravings can be found dotted around the district. Flamingo Route (Lejweleputswa District): One of the biggest agricultural expos in the world takes place at Bothaville. Phakisa race track in Welkom attracts large crowds and it has so far hosted six World Motorcycle Grand Prix events, providing a big boost to the regional economy. Two small towns hold big interest: Winburg is the oldest proclaimed town in the country (and home to a museum and a monument to the Voortrekkers); Brandfort is where Winnie Mandela spent several years in internal exile. The district has several game farms, game reserves and resorts Lion Route (Fezile Dabi District): The northern part of the province is covered by this route, and includes the banks of the Vaal River which provides its own natural tourist attraction (boating, yachting, camping, etc). Parys is a popular destination and there is even a crocodile farm in Deneysville. Cape wines can be tasted on two farms in the Heilbron area near Sasolburg. The idea behind the Riemland Wine Route is to bring Cape wine tasting closer to wine-lovers in northern areas. The Vredefort Dome, site of a meteorite strike in the distant past, is a World Heritage Site. Eagle Route (Thabo Mofutsanyane District): Some of the most spectacular scenery can be found in this north-eastern part of the province, which encompasses the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Resort. Ficksburg has claims to be the world’s Cherry Capital and nearby Clarens is very popular with weekenders looking for art in a rustic village atmosphere (and a micro-brewery). Bethlehem’s recent 150th anniversary saw the town host a Combined Inter-Faith Service, a carnival, and flea market and a Gospel Festival. Bethlehem hosts an annual Bethlehem Air Show and the Maize Fair in October. Phuthaditjhaba is a good starting point for the Basotho Cultural Village and access to the Vulture Restaurant and Witsieshoek Mountain Resort. CONTACT INFO Dept of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs MEC: Mr. Benny Malakoane Physical address: Bojanala Building, 34 Markgraaf Street, Bloemfontein 9300 Postal address: Private Bag X20801, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: 086 110 2185 | Fax: +27 51 400 9593 Website: www.edtea.fs.gov.za 59 FREE STATE BUSINESS 2017

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