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Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre to boost Eastern Cape tourism

GCIS / SAnewsRef: GOVNEWS-82627 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Official source

Source domain: sanews.gov.za

Collected on 6 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 9 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This SAnews news article reports the launch of the newly built Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre in KwaMaqoma (Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape) by Tourism Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu. The Department of Tourism says it invested R31 million to construct the facility, which includes 13 chalets (52 guest capacity) and backpacker accommodation (32), plus amenities such as lapas, staff accommodation, a guard house, administration building, restaurant, conference facilities and internal roads. The article also links the project to the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan and describes the site’s liberation heritage and land reform background, including the lodge’s handover to the Amathole District Municipality and the Mthontsi Waselukhuko primary Co-operative.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

tourism accommodation and conference venueOngoing

Use and visit the newly launched Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre

The Department of Tourism has launched the Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre in KwaMaqoma, offering accommodation (chalets and backpacker accommodation) and facilities such as lapas, a restaurant, and conference facilities for visitors and groups.

Who it is for
visitors to the Eastern Cape and groups seeking accommodation and conference facilities
How to act on it
Visit the Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre in KwaMaqoma; the article does not provide a booking or contact process.
Show the line this came from
The newly launched Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre is set to boost tourism and highlight the historical heritage of the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province. Tourism Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu launched the facility that is situated in the rural town of KwaMaqoma on Thursday.

Facts

Places

Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City

Reference

GOVNEWS-82627 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Amounts

R 31 000 000

Key Takeaways

  • Launched: Thursday (article date: Saturday, 4 July 2026)
  • Facility: Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre
  • Location: rural town of KwaMaqoma, Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape
  • Launched by: Tourism Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu
  • Department of Tourism investment: R31 million
  • Accommodation: 13 chalets (52 guests) and backpacker accommodation (32 guests)
  • Additional facilities: two lapas, staff accommodation, guard house, administration building, restaurant, conference facilities, internal roads
  • Employment: jobs during construction for local SMMEs, women and youth; ongoing staff (5 permanent, 10 temporary)
  • Funding/implementation mechanism: facilitated through DBSA under Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (TGPP)
  • Heritage context: War of Mlanjeni (1800s) and liberation route significance
  • Land reform context: farm acquired by Amathole District Municipality to settle Mount Pleasant and Adelaide farm workers
  • Beneficiaries: over 240 farm dwellers and descendants forming the Mthontsi Waselukhuko primary Co-operative
  • Makhotso Sotyu
  • Department of Tourism
  • Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA)
  • Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (TGPP)
  • Amathole District Municipality
  • Mthontsi Waselukhuko primary Co-operative
  • Anele Ntsangani
  • Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre
  • KwaMaqoma
  • Makhanda
  • Gqeberha
  • East London
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Adelaide farm workers

Dates

Opening Date

4 July 2026

Closing Date

4 July 2026