Overview
Zithabiseni Resort and Conference Centre, located in Mpumalanga’s “Cultural Heartland,” is managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as of 2023. The resort has faced financial challenges over the past five years, with expenditures consistently exceeding revenue, leading to infrastructure deterioration and reduced tourist activity. Although 48 chalets were recently renovated with funding, the resort still requires significant refurbishment, with an estimated cost of R101.8-million.
The resort spans 102 hectares and offers 56 operational chalets, accommodating 196 guests. The resort is fully functional, with the main facilities in daily use. However, the remaining 389 chalets are in need of renovation. This could increase guest capacity to over 1,000.
The facilities include conference halls and rooms with a combined seating capacity of 160, a 100-seater fully licensed restaurant, swimming pools, a braai lapa for 500 guests, a picnic area, sports bar with a pool and big screen television, an outdoor gym, an educational trail and quad and 4×4 trails. The resort employs 72 staff members, with no recent changes in staffing.
Zithabiseni Resort and Conference Centre is located within the 13,300 hectares of Mabusa Nature Reserve, along the road between Groblersdal and Bronkhorstspruit.
Zithabiseni hosted 921 guests and 14,100 festival attendees in 2024, with visitors drawn to leisure, business, and cultural activities. The resort plans to expand its accommodation options, introduce new tourism activities, and transform one facility into a museum showcasing Ndebele culture.
The MTPA is considering two business models for the resort: concession and timeshare. A turnaround strategy is being developed to address infrastructure challenges, improve marketing, and create economic opportunities for the local community. Revitalizing the resort is expected to generate employment, support local businesses, and enhance tourism in the region.
Vision
The MTPA aims to restore Zithabiseni Resort to its former glory, combining natural wilderness with high-quality service to attract visitors and promote sustainable tourism.
Future plans include the following:
- Expand accommodation (camping, bush camps, student housing, chalet upgrades).
- Transform a facility into a museum showcasing Ndebele culture with Dr. Esther Mahalangu as a tourism ambassador.
- Introduce new activities like ziplining, water slides, quad biking, horse riding, wellness center, cultural village, and sports facilities.
Private sector collaboration
Revitalizing the resort requires collaboration between the private sector and government.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) is seeking to source an operator that will invest, upgrade, operate and manage the Zithabiseni Holiday Resort.
BID NUMBER: MTPA/20252026/COM/04
View or download the official tender information on the link below.
Closing date for submissions: 6 May 2026
Contact for more information
Potential investors seeking more information are encouraged to make contact with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). Also see official tender information in the link above.
