Enviro theme park for Alex
Tammy O'Reilly
28 October 2003
Alexandra township, in the northeast of Johannesburg, is to be the location of a unique water and environmental theme park featuring a museum, amphitheatre, nursery and state-of-the-art recycling centre.
The City of Johannesburg has given the go-ahead to its department of development planning, transportation and environment to acquire funding and to involve local businesses and other agencies to build the park in the north of Alexandra, near the Jukskei River along Marlboro South.
With the help of Pikitup, the City's waste management company, and City Parks, a geographical study of the area has been conducted and conceptual sketches of the proposed theme park have been prepared.
Rodney Nay, the department's executive director, said: "Our intention is for the theme park to become a public-private partnership. We have approached private entities and they have shown a keen interest in the project."
Both the provincial and national
government have shown interest in the project, with Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Conservation Mary Metcalfe pledging their support.
The council has already contributed R50 000 to kick-start the project. However, one of the conditions of approval was that the project be funded from external contributions, and that once established the theme park should not be dependent on donations.
The Sam Buti Development Foundation has submitted a proposal to oversee the project. Businessman and theologian Reverend Sam Buti said his company would be involved "in acquiring funds for the project from other developers".
The park will also feature a conference centre and accommodation for tourists.
Reverend Buti added that the project will benefit many parties. "This is not only good for tourism, but will also result in job creation and increased employment opportunities."
Source: City of Johannesburg website
| 
