Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – While the national treasury is embarking on tightening the public purse, Mxolisi Dukwana, Free State Province Premier, and two of his MECs jetted off to China for investment opportunities.
This followed the BRICS summit held in Sandton last month.
Dukwana together with MEC of DESTEA, Thabo Meeko and his HoD, Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, MEC of Agriculture, Saki Mokoena, and MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mahlatsi were accompanied by Irene Mehlomekhulu, Xhariep District Executive Mayor.
Among the MoUs signed are investment opportunities from the Chinese aimed at Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, and Qwaqwa while Xhariep would be earmarked for tourism as the province thus far has 12 000 Chinese visitors yearly and the plan is to expand.
Speaking to the Tuniu executives before the signing of the Memorandum of Commitment (MoC), Destea MEC Thabo Meeko encouraged Tuniu to bring more South -East Asian tourists to the Free State.
“We aim to increase inward Chinese visitations to the Free State by 40% within the next 36 months. To this end, our Destination-Marketing Agency (DMA), the Free State Gambling, Liquor, and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) will work with Tuniu company”, said MEC Meeko.
MEC Meeko committed his department to translating the MoC into actual deliverables that are intended to grow the tourism sector and create jobs. This includes training local youths to learn Mandarin , to better serve the Chinese tourists.
Premier Dukwana told the host, Yangzhou Mayor Pan Guoqiang and his Committee that, Xhariep municipality is the smallest but has the potential to grow; especially in sectors like tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and energy.
“We are looking forward to great relations and cooperation with you. You have in the past, demonstrated your capacity to provide us with the necessary support. We appreciate that and thank you for assisting our students who studied here,” said Premier Dukwana.
What also came out of the visit was SA students studying in China.
Notably absenteeism of officials from Public Works and Infrastructure and Agriculture as tensions continue to swell between MECs and their administrators in the province despite efforts by the Premier to intervene.
Thus far, 5 out of 10 HoDs are embroiled in a turf war that affects service delivery.
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