by Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, Chief of the Bakgatla Tribe in Northwest
The North West province’s Pilanesberg region has long been one of South Africa’s most-visited tourist zones; for its world-renowned game reserve, and – on the other side of the spectrum – its luxury resorts and lodges. But the area is also the home of an incredibly rich cultural heritage which, until now, has remained largely unexplored.
Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, Chief of the Bakgatla Tribe, explained that, “Over a hundred years ago, my ancestors settled our people, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela, on this soil, and the stories that we have to share are fascinating. We have already established the state-of-the-art Mphebatho Museum here, which forms one leg of our Heritage Tour package, but we’ve since added other elements, such as Pilane Royal Family Museum and other cultural experiences and tours that now round off our cultural offering.”
The newly designed and implemented heritage tours will provide visitors with an engaging and immersive experience that they’ll never forget. Regular visitors to the region will also discover a new aspect to their Pilanesberg sojourn, of which they may have been entirely unaware. Yes, there are the luxury hotel getaways and the game reserve, but the area’s cultural riches will now add another dimension to all tourist’s itinerary.
Although it will expose guests to the wonder of the local wildlife, The Pilanesberg Heritage Game Drive (another element of the Heritage Tour offering) will also afford visitors a stopover at the gravesites of former Bakgatla kings, and a look at the ruins of lost tribal villages. It’s cultural add-ons such as these that few game drives can offer.
Another attraction within this new initiative is the newly opened Pilane Royal Family Museum, in Lekutung Village, at the royal home of the Chief. Kgosi Pilane also assured us that the tours extend beyond the academic realm: “Although visitors are sure to learn a lot about our history and traditions, they will also be able to actively partake in the local customs, and even dance into the night, to the vibrant rhythms of our people.”
The Bakgatla tribe has established relationships with local Hotels, Lodges and resorts such as Ivory Tree Lodge, Shepherd’s Tree lodges; and others in the Pilanesberg area. These luxury heritage tours can be booked with select destinations located in the Pilanesberg. In addition, there is also a Luxury Shuttle option available for all visitors who would like to explore the Pilanesberg during the day and explore Sun City’s Night life After-Hours.
“Even though this comprehensive Heritage Tour package has only just kicked off, the interest that it has generated is already palpable,” Kgosi Pilane assures us. “Apart from celebrating our traditions and keeping them alive, the initiative is providing exciting employment opportunities for the residents of our community. In short, it’s a win-win situation for tourists and locals alike,” he concluded, proudly.