Water World project set for R200m shot in the arm

The national government is set to inject an additional R200m into Buffalo City Metro’s troubledWater World Fun Park project,premier Oscar Mabuyaneconfirmed on Wednesday — despite more than R120m already spent on the stalled development. ButBuffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA)spokespersonNomkhitha Zokufasaid “no final investment decision has been concluded, and no funding amount has been approved”. “Any potential support from investors would be subject to established intergovernmental processes, funding frameworks, and the necessary governance approvals.

It would therefore be premature to speculate … until such processes are formally completed,” said Zokufa. The project has remained in limbo after construction was abandoned more than two years ago following legal disputes between the contractor and BCMDA. The incomplete site was later vandalised.

Mabuyane revealed in his recent state of the province address that the project was among Eastern Cape tourism projects that had “passed compliance stage for national funding”. On Wednesday, he confirmed that the national department of tourism had approved R200m towards refurbishing the ruined facility. “We welcome the investment of R200m.

[paywall]

It was initiated by the municipality, and at some point had its own difficulties, but I know the municipality is still committed to finish it,” Mabuyane said. The city has already invested more than R120m in the development, while an additional R33m was paid to the contractor who abandoned the site in 2023. Mabuyaneon Wednesday referred further questions about the project to BCMDA.

The department does not own these projects nor does it fund these projects Buffalo City mayor Princess Faku also directed queries to the agency, but previously welcomed the planned investment, saying she was “quite excited, as hundreds of jobs would be created”. The national tourism department appeared to distance itself from direct responsibility for the project.

[/paywall]