LIMPOPO; POLOKWANE: Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) made a purposeful economic intervention by developing the Limpopo Mukumbi Industries as a viable business industry within the province, taking advantage of the vast concentration of marula trees found mostly in the sub-tropical parts of the province. A company registration was facilitated through the former LIMDEV, now the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) on behalf of communities that participate in the marula industry. To date, fourteen (14) co-operatives are part of formalizing community business structures that are now responsible for the management of the company, and these have been registered with the registrar of co-operatives through the former Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA), now incorporated into LEDA.
The Limpopo Mukumbi Industries was officially launched on 4th March 2006 during the annual Marula Festival hosted in collaborations with the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture (DSAC) at Muti wa Vatsonga. The Limpopo Mukumbi Industries (Pty) Ltd has been the official supplier of the home brewed Morula/Mukumbi/Vukanyi beverage from 2006 until to date. The involvement of these registered cooperatives had positive spin-offs on investment into the industry and on the employment of rural community members who assist with harvesting and transportation of the fruit annually depending on the orders from the organizers of the Marula Festival. With the event returning to its original slot between February and March, Limpopo Marula Festival Reloaded promises to be a thrilling spectacular this year.
Phalaborwa is well positioned to welcome and accommodate guests, visitors and tourists as it is the entry point for visitors into the Kruger National Park. The town is situated in the Limpopo Province along the western border of the Kruger National Park. Phalaborwa having been declared as the permanent home of the Limpopo Marula Festival has the propensity to grow the economy through Mukumbi and related products, thereby attracting a wide range of interest groups ranging from the tourism industry, civil society, local Ba-Phalaborwa communities, small and medium businesses, and revellers at large, including those from neighbouring countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana as well as Swaziland. The idea is to make this a truly international event because of its tourism profile and proximity to other major tourist destinations including the world-renowned Kruger National Park.
LEDET, in partnership with the Limpopo Tourism Agency, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Limpopo Economic Development Agency and other government departments and organizations will be reloading the Limpopo Marula Festival back to its original hosting period from 21 February – 02 March 2025, the prime season for harvesting of the Marula fruit. As it is traditionally the case, the festival will be preceded by a media launch announcing the return of the event to its original time slot. The media launch will take place on 23rd January 2025 at Masingita Mall precinct and will be presided over by the Premier of the Province, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, supported by the MEC of LEDET, Mr. Tshitereke Matibe and MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Jerry Maseko.
A switch to holding the event in a public space like the mall, will no doubt ignite the public interest and help create the hype and awareness about the dates thereby creating an opportunity for members of the public to post on their respective social media platforms emphasizing the date of the event but also encouraging people to buy tickets on time. The organizers also look forward to members of the public purchasing early bird tickets at R150 valid until the 26th January 2025 after which the general tickets will be sold at R200.
It is worth mentioning that the launch will be graced by the attendance of the rising star in the music industry, Kharishma, known for her song “Matome” from the newly introduced “Lekompo” music genre. She has recently scored big when her smash hit “Chokeslem,” won the Thobela FM Crossover Song competition.
“The decision by Limpopo Government to make Phalaborwa a permanent home of Limpopo Marula Festival was the step in the right direction given the town’s tourism profile and proximity to other major tourist destinations, including the world-renowned Kruger National Park incorporated within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, said the MEC of LEDET, Mr. Tshitereke Matibe.
Matibe further said, “The event is easily packaged with products around Hoedspruit, Tzaneen, Modjadjieskloof, and Giyani benefiting from the festivities as overflow venues in respect of accommodation. The location and setting are reasons for Limpopo Marula Festival to become a major attraction for locals, domestic, as well as international tourists and revellers. We expect a lot of international guests during this reloaded edition of the festival especially now that we have successfully moved to its actual time slot between February and March annually”.
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Release on behalf of The Annual Limpopo Marula Festival LOC by:
Mike Tauatsoala
Head of Marketing and Communications LOC
Cell : 082 886 3294