October 23, 2003
By Tammy O'Reilly
THE township of Alexandra is set to be the location for a unique water and environmental theme park featuring a museum, amphitheatre, nursery and state of the art recycling centre.
The City of Johannesburg has given the go-ahead to its Department of Planning, Transportation and Environment to acquire funding and to involve local businesses and other agencies to build the park in the north of Alexandra, near the Jukskei River and alongside Marlboro South.
With the help of Pikitup, the City's waste management company, and City Parks, a geographical study of the area has been carried out and conceptual drawings of the proposed theme park have been prepared.
Executive director of Johannesburg's Department of Development Planning, Transportation and Environment Rodney Nay said: "Our intention is for the theme park to become a public-private partnership. We have approached many private entities and they have shown a keen interest in the project."
Layout of the theme park
The project has garnered interest from both provincial and national government, with Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Ronnie Kasrils and Gauteng MEC for Agricultural Conservation Mary Metcalfe pledging their support.
The council has already made a contribution of R50 000 to initiate the project. However, one of the conditions of approval was that the project must be funded with external contributions and once established the theme park should not be dependant on donations.
The Sam Buti Development Foundation has submitted a proposal to oversee the project. Businessman and theologian Reverend Sam Buti said his company would be involved "in acquiring funds for the project from other developers".
The theme park will also feature a conference centre and housing for tourists.
Reverend Buti added that the project would benefit many parties. "This is not only good for tourism but will also result in job creation and increased employment opportunities."
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