Mbombela — Oupa Pilane, Special Attaché for the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) and co-founder of Graskop Gorge Lift Company, welcomed a recent meeting with Mpumalanga MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Jesta Sidell, aimed at addressing the mismanagement of key sites along the Panorama Route.
The discussion resulted in agreements to ring-fence all income generated by popular attractions such as Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels. This money will be directly used for maintenance and rehabilitation of the sites. Additionally, a Tourism Think Tank will be established to strategise and oversee the sector’s revitalisation.
Pilane said the move responds to deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate facilities revealed during a KLCBT-led media tour in July. He called for prioritising core tourism needs and ensuring that funds serve restoration efforts to unlock the region’s economic potential.
The Panorama Route is a key driver of Mpumalanga’s tourism, with the potential to create over 2,000 jobs if properly managed. Pilane praised MEC Sidell’s commitment to accountability and collaboration and confirmed ongoing cooperation between KLCBT, provincial government, and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.
The new Tourism Think Tank will bring together stakeholders to develop practical, sustainable solutions that benefit local communities and attract international visitors.
Pilane described the meeting as a turning point, expressing confidence that Mpumalanga’s tourism assets can be transformed into world-class attractions with shared leadership and focused investment.
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