Despite the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency’s (ECPTA) assurance that the state-of-the-art Cape Morgan Conference Centre would be operational by the end of 2023, the multimillion-rand facility remains unused. “We thought some people from around here would be working at the facility by now,” said a Cwili Township resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The resident said most people in the Kei Mouth area relied on Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs and housekeeping work, while many others were unemployed.
The Dispatch reported in August 2023 that years after its official opening on March 28 2017, what was intended to be a flagship tourism facility had become a R42m white elephant hidden in the bushes between Morgan Bay and Kei Mouth. Owned by ECPTA, its facilities include 44 bedrooms, a conference centre, four storerooms, a restaurant and an eco-centre. However, according to reliable sources, no guests have ever stayed at the resort, which remains unfurnished to this day.
While the centre is still in a presentable condition, it remains vacant, having been effectively abandoned soon after its launch. It’s sad to see it not used even today. People around here need jobs.
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The source said when construction began, the local community had high hopes the centre would provide much-needed employment opportunities. “We hear the owners are looking for someone to run it,” the source said.
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