GAMING FOR AFRICA
Construction starts on new R100m Eastern Cape casino W
ork is underway on a new R100-million, world-class entertainment centre in Mthatha, which will create hundreds of
temporary and permanent jobs and bolster the economy of the Eastern Cape’s third-largest city. The entertainment centre, which is being
developed by South Africa’s largest black-owned property development company, Billion Group, will boast Mthatha’s first licensed casino as well as conferencing and childcare facilities, bars and restaurants. Having been in the pre-development phase for the past two years, the project will form the latest addition to Billion Group’s existing live-work-play precinct that already houses the 60,000m2 BT Ngebs City Shopping Centre and the four-star Mayfair Hotel. It further continues Billion Group’s stated mission of bringing aspirational developments and world-class facilities and services to areas that would not otherwise have access to them. The group’s commercial director, Vuyokazi
Njongwe, who was raised in Mthatha, said the development was “a continuation of our unwavering interest in the Eastern Cape, a province that has, for many years, been neglected. We think that it needs the same kind of infrastructure as the rest of the country,” she said. The company was awarded the casino licence in 2016. The planned 2,600m2 facility – which will be called Mthatha Casino and Entertainment – is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, with more than 160 permanent jobs created on completion. “It’s a fact that for every job you create, you
create three indirect jobs. We are very proud to be bringing employment to this part of the Eastern Cape,” said Dewald van Staden, development director at Billion Group.
The Eastern Cape’s newest Casino in Mthatha. The complex continues the live-work-play precinct
developed by the group and sits alongside the four-star Mayfair Hotel and BT Ngebs City mall – both also built and owned by Billion Group.
“It is our intention to employ as many locals as possible, and to manage the process of employing workers across all three categories where possible: skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.” He said a locally based main contractor had
already been appointed. “Local small, medium and micro enterprises will benefit, such as security, laundry, building supplies, heavy plant and equipment hire. All of that will be sourced locally,” said Van Staden. He said that an additional formal skills
development process was in place to begin at the operational stage. Njongwe said the casino and conferencing
facility would create the premier entertainment node in Mthatha.
Jacob Monsthioa takes the reins at North West Gambling Board…
J
acob Montshioa has been appointed as Acting CEO of the North West Gambling Board,
following the departure of former CEO Fortune Sekgapane, whose tenure ended in January. Mr Sekgapane led the Board from 2008 – 2018, and was instrumental in leading the North West Gambling Board to many of its successes during this period. Mr Montshioa has been the NWGB’s Legal Manager since 2008, and will be focusing his efforts on Illegal Gambling and Transformation. “Illegal gambling continues to be an area of concern in the industry, and this is despite numerous efforts to curb it. We
26 MARCH 2018
continue to work closely with police to clean up all illegal operations because they are a hindrance to our operations in promoting socio- economic growth and development. Over and above this we are
regulating a sector which is largely untransformed where multi- nationals, continue to dominate in the space of ownership, management, control and procurement. The narrative is slowly but surely changing and one would realise that we are striving to afford new-entrants an opportunity to capitalise on the business opportunities created in the gambling industry.”
Jacob Monsthioa “It will complement what we have done already
with regard to the mall and the hotel. We are bringing world class facilities to Mthatha – something we pride ourselves on doing, and something that we have a good track record on.” She added that while the development would undoubtedly have a positive effect on the local economy, it would also be a “revenue generator that will give a healthy injection into the fiscus while, of course, increasing the local GDP”. With earthworks already underway, the build of
the top structure is set to begin early next year. The entertainment centre, estimated to cost in excess of R100-million, is scheduled to open its doors to the public towards the end of 2018.
…As NWGB Bids Farewell to Fortune Sekgapane
C Fortune Sekgapane
EO of the North-West Gambling Board Mr Fortune Sekgapane has parted ways with the state entity. Mr Sekgaphane’s fixed term
contract with the Board ended on the 14th of January 2018. This departure comes after ten years of loyal and excellent service at the helm of the North-West Gambling Board. Mr Sekgapane is credited for his meticulous leadership as Chief Executive Officer of the Board, having been instrumental in advocating for the creation of socio-economic opportunities for the less privileged, downtrodden and previously disadvantaged individuals. Mr Sekgapane’s leadership can also be attributed to shaping the gambling industry in the North West. And his contribution which spans over a decade as Chief Executive Officer saw him serve in various committees in the South African Development Community (SADC) region, the continent and internationally.
Photograph: Don Lambert
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