Provincial Government Leases Tokai Manor to SANParks for 25 Years | Western Cape Government

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Provincial Government Leases Tokai Manor to SANParks for 25 Years

10 May 2011

Minister Carlisle officially handed over the management of the Tokai Manor House and surrounding areas to the South African National Parks (SANParks) today.

This follows the signing of a ten-year lease agreement, renewable for a period of 15 years, with the Table Mountain National Park Manager, Paddy Gordon. In terms of the lease agreement, SANParks will directly or indirectly invest approximately R12 million towards renovations and improvements to the premises and surrounding areas.

These will include developing the property as a public amenity for the foreseeable future and the possible development of visitor facilities such as restaurants, accommodation facilities and parking areas.

Minster Carlisle highlights that the transfer of Tokai Manor to SANParks marks the beginning of a series of joint ventures with the national parks authority.

"SANParks is a key economic, conservation and environmental partner of the provincial government. We will support them in their endeavours to stimulate economic activities through conserving the natural beauty of our province and sustaining the environment. There is no better symbol to show this than the lease to save this iconic heritage site which will soon be the headquarters of SANParks in the Western Cape."

"I'm confident that Tokai Manor House will be in good hands. SANParks has both the capacity and expertise required to conserve it for future generations to cherish."

Minister Carlisle added that future plans for Tokai Manor include the possible establishment of a fynbos and a medicinal herb small farm on Porter Estate.

The public handover of Tokai Manor to SANParks concludes years of behind-the-scenes negotiations and a commitment from the national parks authority to invest no less than R11 million to upgrade the precinct. The funding has been secured from the National Department of Environmental Affairs' Infrastructure Development Fund for this purpose.

This move is significant as it consolidates the management of this important heritage site with areas already under SANParks management.

Planned improvements include relocating SANPark's head office to the Manor House precinct, establishing a multi-use "gateway" into the national park which accommodates tourism, recreational, heritage and biodiversity opportunities all on one site. To achieve this, SANParks will undertake a planning process with public input to plan for the overall upgrade of the precinct. This will include improved use of existing buildings, landscaping, rationalising access, parking and traffic and opportunities for recreational and eco-tourism ventures.

Media Enquiries: 

Solly Malatsi
Spokesperson
Cell: 083 641 9691
Tel: 021 483 8954
E-mail: smalatsi@pgwc.gov.za