Poor road conditions a challenge to the potential of Mpumalanga's Panorama Route

South African Tourism via Wikimedia Commons

"The Panorama Route has the potential to create even more desperately needed jobs, especially for the youth in our province. It is a low-hanging fruit that can be maximised to create new and inclusive enterprises that will see more of our previously disadvantaged people taking an active role in the tourism industry," said Pilane.

However, despite its potential to create thousands of jobs, the Panorama Route is one of the most neglected by the government when it comes to the condition of the roads. "Tourists do not want to come to the region because of these road conditions and those that are employed fear losing their jobs as the businesses they work for lose income as a result," said Pilane.

The KLCBT has engaged government numerous times on this issue, especially the departments of economic development and tourism and public works, roads and transport.

Poor road conditions: Detrimental effect on province development

"Our requests have fallen on deaf ears. Minor sub-standard interventions were attended to but due to the poor quality of work, the roads have become even more dangerous than they were before. We continue to receive negative feedback from visitors – both domestic and international – about the conditions of our roads," said Pilane.

Many bicycle and motorsport events have been cancelled or put on hold due to the roads, which is also having a detrimental effect on job creation in the area.

“Our province’s reputation as the country’s inland tourism destination of choice is being jeopardised by the inability of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to play their part. This has to be corrected,” stressed Pilane.

Mpumalanga’s tourism sector has welcomed the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to join hands and work together to reduce the level of unemployment in the province. “We cannot do this alone and therefore urgently request the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to step up and partner with us to create a shared vision that will see our province grow and flourish and not stagnate,” concluded Pilane.