business, which is also featured. The Petra Diamond Mine recently opened a Tourism Room which should add to the attraction which Cullinan already holds for tourists. The Dinokeng Game Reserve opened a small museum which everyone should try to visit. Please share the interesting events and stories that you are aware of in the Dinokeng Project area. Best Wishes, Matthew Sathekge. CEO: Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site In this edition of “The Calabash” we are pleased to feature the Dinokeng staff brand awareness trip to Roodeplaat and Cullinan. The trip provided important insights into the hubs of Roodeplaat and Cullinan and combined important project information with an opportunity for staff who don’t often leave the Johannesburg offices and particularly the finance staff to have a first hand experience of the activities which make Dinokeng such a popular and attractive tourism destination. We are pleased to welcome the newly elected Dinokeng Central Local Tourism Association Committee, which comprises of Dan Mokgwetsi (Chairperson), Thokozile Mahalngu (Deputy Chairperson), Alex Roessingh (secretary) and Muriel Webster (Treasurer). This is one of four Local Tourism Associations which are affiliated to the Dinokeng Destination Tourism Organization (DTO) and form a critical link between the Dinokeng Tourism Project and the product owners of the Dinokeng Project area. Dinokeng Central also held an event for women in CEO’s introduction: Matthew Sathekge I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Staff Brand Awareness Trip– Roodeplaat 2 Staff Brand Awareness Trip– Cullinan 3 Women’s Event in Dinokeng Central 4 Petra Diamond Mine Opens Tourism Room 5 New Committee for Dinokeng Central Local Tourism Association. 6 & 7 Dinokeng Game Reserve Opens Museum 8 THE CALABASH V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 O C T O B E R , 2 0 2 2 D I N O K E N G P R O J E C T O C T O B E R E D I T I O N :

P A G E 2 Fisani Wiese is the manager for the Dinokeng hubs of Roodeplaat and Cullinan, and she gives her colleagues an eyeopening view of the Roodeplaat Dam. Roodeplaat Dam in the spot-light ahead of World Masters Rowing Regatta in 2023. The World Masters’ Rowing Regatta is coming to Roodeplaat in 2023 and Fisani Wiese showed her colleagues some of the challenges and opportunities at the site. T H E Fisani Wiese showcases the Roodeplaat Dam Above: Fisani Wiese (right) discusses some of the challenges of the Roodeplaat Dam with Thabo Matsafu (left) and “KG” Mojapelo (striped shirt). In the background are Mfundo Hadebe (red shirt) and Jabu Moagi (yellow shirt). Above: Fisani Wiese, Dinokeng Project Deputy Director for Tourism Hubs. Fisani Wiese has worked for the Dinokeng Project for over a decade, and was keen to show her work-mates some of the opportunities as well as the challenges which are associated with the site. Although the 2023 World Masters Rowing Regatta will bring thousands of tourists and millions of rands of revenue to the Roodeplaat area, there are still numerous challenges facing the site which dozens of organizations and hundreds of people are urgently addressing. The water quality challenges include bilharzia, uncontrolled ingress of untreated sewage and the invasive water hyacinth. She is confident that the challenges are being addressed effectively and that the event will be a huge success.

Facts and fun in Cullinan... V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 3 A team from the Dinokeng Project visited Cullinan on 09 September, 2022 as part of a Brand Awareness exercise focused on “new” employees as well as staff from finance who have limited opportunities to visit the project areas. The visit was not “all work and no play” however, so the team had the opportunity to be hosted by Cullinan Adventure Zone, which provided an option of ziplining, quadbiking or archery as prelunch activities. Peterson Mahlangu has become synonymous with Cullinan and is a master guide for this classic village which still centres around the mining economy. His areas of specialist knowledge are extensive and impressive and included the history of the Cullinan Diamond and the mine, the processes and techniques of diamond mining, sorting, cutting and polishing, as well as the development of the village and the local economy. Contact Peterson on 081 403 1279 . (see page 5 for more on the mine) Cullinan Adventure Zone– Learning how much fun there is in tourism. Left: Kgomotso Lebese (left) would like to know “What’s not to love about quad-biking?” Right above: Matsietsi Ma’afrika shaving a blast on on the zip-lining at Cullinan Adventure Zone. Right below: Brenda Tshetshegoa celebrates another zip-line conquered, and clearly the local guide had a lot of fun, too!!!

P A G E 4 T H E C A L A B A S H Dinokeng Central Local Tourism Association celebrates Womens’ Month Right: Business Women of Dinokeng Central celebrated on the last day of Women’s Month in orange & white. Dinokeng Central Tourism Association (DCTA) & Region 5 Chamber of Commerce (R5CC) – 1 st Event to celebrate Women’s Month in Style DCTA had their 1st successful collaborative event with R5CC on August the 31st ‘To Celebrate Women’s Month in Style’ with over 40 Women representing their businesses. The event was held at KwaThabisile Bush Retreat with an Orange and White adding a brightness to the event with awesomely dressed women added with décor to brighten our spirits approaching Spring Day and beautifully supported by over 40 women in business. gave a wonderful speech on physical & mental health that affects our wellbeing. Motivating women to look after themselves to optimize balance in their workspace and personal lives. SF (Ntuli) Khoza (BA, HDE, BA Honors) gave a motivational speech about her path to success from childhood growing up on a farm to becoming a top academic student, to a teacher and head of department at a local school. Margret Mphahlele (Bishop), a super dynamic woman spoke about women in business motivating them to reach their dreams through hard work and determination. This event was organized by Regina Sibanyoni, where Polelo Mphahlele, deputy director of HOC at City of Tshwane was the MC of this event adding her flare with grace and fun whilst introducing speakers and introducing gifts as well as prizes. A wonderful entertainer and ice-breaker for any event ! Wonderful speeches and insights were given by the following; Charlotte Ndlovu (BBA, ADD) spoke passionately about her experience from starting at school to being the successful entrepreneur that she is today with much vibrancy and a mentor to others. Olivia Kamogelo Makhafola (DIP in nursing) Above: Polelo Mphahlele– showing the style of the City of Tshwane. Below: Regina Sibanyoni, event organizer article by Alexandra Roessingh

Petra Diamond Mine unveils new “Tourism Room” V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 5 From left: Wandile Zwane, Chief Director: Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and Dinokeng Projects; JP Bekker, Ward Councillor Ward 100; another guestname not recorded; Bonke Ntimane, CDM General Manager; Thashmi Doorasamy, Group HR and Public Relations Executive, Andre Le Roux, MMC for Economic Development and Cyril Dakada, Lead Business Improvement. Cullinan Diamond Mine (CDM) celebrated International Tourism Day on the 27th of September, 2022 by launching an upgraded Tourism Display Room, a venue on the mine premises used by local tourism operators. The town of Cullinan is a vibrant tourism destination in Gauteng, alive with possibilities. Before the Covid-19 pandemic there were between 20 000 and 30 000 local and international tourists coming through the town for exclusive underground and surface mine tours. Upgrading facilities used by tour operators not only ensures sustainability and growth of the community of Cullinan, but also ensures that the area continues to attract tourists and people who are passionate about bringing workable commercially viable solutions to meeting the needs of the community. This is one of the main reasons for enriching the diamond legacy experience. “There has never been a more important time to step in as organizations and hold ourselves accountable in helping to build and shape the communities within which we live and work. And there has never been a more opportune time for Petra to extend a helping hand to enhance tourism in the community within which we operate, by creating an environment which will attract, develop and promote tourism in the challenging economic times we live in” said Bonke Ntimane, CDM General Manager. “CDM strives to be a responsible corporate citizen and adheres to the various legislative prescripts which govern the mining industry and implements international best practice so that it goes beyond compliance. We believe that by empowering the people of Cullinan through educational and economic investment, we help build a strong culture that will prosper long after The Life of Mine” Ntimane concluded. Currently mines exist as the pioneers of the primary economy, but they have a responsibility to invest in the development of secondary economies that will make the eventual closure of the mine less traumatic to the local communities and end land use has been considered. A mine closure plan was submitted to the DMRE for the first time in 2020. Key stakeholders that attended the event included representatives from the DMRE, the Department of Education, the COHWHS & Dinokeng Projects, Ward Councillors from local communities, Tshwane Tourism and CDM organized labour. Through proactive collaborations and stakeholder engagement, there is no challenge too great to solved through the commitment of dedicated people, and there is no opportunity that should be overlooked when it comes to the upliftment and development of a town and its people. CDM encourages robust engagement with its stakeholders and is committed to continuous community engagement.

P A G E 6 NEW LEADERSHIP IN DINOKENG CENTRAL by Alexandra Roessingh Dan Mokgwetsi is the Chairman of (DCTA) who has a BCom, BCom Honors and completed an Executive Leadership Program from University of Limpopo and Unisa respectively. He has served on several Senior Management positions in the Corporate environment. He is also director of Proudly Dinokeng Tourism NPC and Region 5 Chamber of Commerce. Due to his strong leadership skills he has managed to influence people into making significant changes into transforming their personal and professional lives. Because of his vast knowledge, he can apply his can apply his expertise to bridge the gap between the corporate and community projects in Dinokeng. T H E C A L A B A S H Above: Chairperson Dan Mokgwetsi, who promises a new direction for the association. Secretary: Alexandra Roessingh Alexandra Roessingh is the Secretary of DCTA who has been marketing NEGI/ Amakulu since 1997 which has now morphed into Dinokeng. She was secretary of the Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy and on the Dinokeng Marketing Committee in early 2000. She has also been running KwaThabisile Bush Retreat in Dinokeng for the last 20 years and is director of Dinokeng.Co.Za and Proudly Dinokeng Tourism NPC. She has lived in 9 countries and traveled to over 35 countries across 5 continents. 9 years ago she was inducted to Skal in Canada, an international organization promoting tourism as well as in Switzerland. TK, Thokozile Mahlangu, is the Vice Chair of the DCTA, who has found her passion in the Heart of Dinokeng. She is the GM of Sombuyana Game Lodge and Director of Amana Spa lounge situated in Dinokeng central. 11 years ago she followed her dreams by studying Hospitality Management at the International Hotel school in Sandton and was the Director of Cake World till 2021. For someone well traveled, the bushes of Dinokeng is were she was destined for. Chairperson : Dan Mokgwetsi Vice-Chairperson: Thokozile Mahlangu

Muriel Webster is the Treasurer of the DCTA, she started in Dinokeng 18 years ago with her family on an adventure in the bush. They built Wagondrift Lodge up from the ground to 18 beds in the time of new developments with Amakhulu in the area. Unfortunately some of her family decided to emigrate 6 years ago so they sold the lodge to Grant Eastman and she was fortunate enough to stay on and keep running the lodge business. She has a huge passion for Dinokeng Central and that is why she become more involved in the area to drive us into an amazing future in Dinokeng. Our area is full of potential for growth in the industry and with positive enthusiastic people on board we can achieve great things. V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 7 Treasurer: Muriel Webster We wish them a warm welcome and all the best to drive Dinokeng Central forward which represents roughly 190 000 ha Eco-Destination and by far the largest hub in Dinokeng. Dinokeng Central has been dubbed as the ‘Marloth Park to Kruger Park’ with over 70 lodges to choose from. We offer something for everyone from camping to 3-5 star lodges whether self catering or lodges that offer fabulous cuisine that vary from lodge to lodge. We also offer over 30 awesome activities that range from the chilled to the most adventurous. We are situated in the Heart of Dinokeng and the spring-board to the other 3 Hubs. Our region offers mostly a private, intimate, and tranquil bush experience like Tno other. Most of the venues are accesarrangement giving you the comfort and a sense of exclusivity. The best part is that you do NOT need to pay hefty conservation fees or levies in Dinokeng Central giving you the opportunity and encourage you to visit the other hubs. For mainly the International guests Fundani Tours offers a wonderful tour through Refilwe which also is part of Dinokeng Central where you can experience the diverse history, culture and entertainment in this quiet township where you get to meet the local people. We also encourage you to visit the other hubs whilst staying in Dinokeng Welcome to newly elected LTA in Dinokeng Central

vides a short overview of the history of the Dinokeng Game Reserve. “ Please come and enjoy the museum whenever you are at Ndlovu Gate,” concluded Naude. Also don’t forget to buy a copy of Dinokeng Game Reserve– the First Decade, the new coffee table book which was produced by the Dinokeng Game Reserve Management Authority in co-operation with the Dinokeng Project and is now selling at R850. For more details of the book and of the museum, phone Sarel Naude on 076 661 4548. A small museum has opened up at Ndlovu Gate to provide a short history of the Dinokeng Game Reserve which last year celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Laurence Shee who is busy conducting a doctoral thesis on the history of the Dinokeng Game Reserve, provided the key information for this small but attractive display. Sarel Naude from the DGR Management Authority, expanded “The musuem pro124 Main Street Johannesburg 2001 Phone: 082 440 3060 Email: [email protected] This is the official magazine of the Dinokeng Project, which is a geo-spatial tourism development project of the Department of Economic Development in the Gauteng Provincial Government. Dinokeng meaning "a place of rivers", is a 240 000 Ha tourism area which includes sandy bushveld surrounding the Boekenhout, Moretele and Elands Rivers. Dinokeng promotes tourism as a means to economic development in the north-eastern quadrant of Gauteng. The Dinokeng area comprises of four unique hubs, which are: • Cullinan • Roodeplaat • Dinokeng Central • Dinokeng Game Reserve DGR opens new museum at Ndlovu Gate The Dinokeng Game Reserve is the only freeroaming Big Five game reserve in Gauteng and the closest safari destination to OR Tambo and Lanseria International Airports. www.dinokeng.co.za Inset: Dinokeng Game Reserve – The First Decade. This is a must-add item to your collection of coffee-table books on some of our best wildlife destinations.