DocumentOngoingNews

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.

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.

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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.

The document's recorded date is 4 July 2026. Confirm on the official source.

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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