LIMPOPO MAKES HISTORY: POLOKWANE HOSTS AFRICA AS MPE, RAMATHUBA, DE LILLE AND GREAVER PUT LIMPOPO ON THE WORLD MAP
- Mpho Dube
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.
AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact
Polokwane —Africa has come to Polokwane. And Limpopo has delivered.
For the first time in the history of the province, the drums of Africa are beating in the heart of the City of Stars.
The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum 2026 is officially underway at the majestic Meropa Casino in Polokwane, and it has brought the continent with it.
Delegates from 38 African countries have landed in Limpopo — policymakers, investors, tourism ministers, CEOs, innovators — all gathered for one purpose: to shape the future of African tourism, to unlock investment, to drive intra-African travel, and to build sustainable growth that creates jobs.
This is not just a conference. This is a statement to the world. A declaration that Limpopo is ready. That Polokwane is ready. That South Africa’s gateway to Africa is open for business, and it is leading.
And at the centre of this historic triumph stands a powerful alignment of four leaders who turned a dream into a continental moment.
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille is the national champion who believed in Limpopo. When she stepped onto the podium branded “Go Limpopo! Time to Explore More...” at Meropa, she did more than open a forum — she affirmed the full confidence of the national government in this province.
Her presence transformed a provincial hosting into a continental occasion. With authority and vision, she championed collaboration, innovation and sustainable growth within Africa’s tourism sector, positioning South Africa not as a spectator, but as a leader in the African tourism economy.
Limpopo did not have to beg for national recognition. Minister De Lille brought it home.
In her vibrant colours and commanding address, she embodied what the continent needs — unity in diversity, policy with purpose.
Behind her stands the driving force of the 7th Administration, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba — the premier who is making Limpopo work for all.
Under her decisive leadership and the banner of Lets Grow Limpopo Together, her government through LEDET fought for and secured this massive business event for the province.
This is Tourism Month and Heritage Month, and Premier Ramathuba gave Limpopo the greatest gift of all — the world’s attention. Her MEC for LEDET, Dr Tshitereke Matibe, was at Polokwane Gateway International Airport personally welcoming Ministers from Uganda and Mauritius, showing the world the warmth and hospitality Limpopo is famous for. That is leadership that does not wait for opportunity.
It goes to the airport to fetch it. Ramathuba has proven again that Limpopo is not on the margins of South Africa — it is at the centre of Africa’s future.
Then there is the strategist who sold Limpopo to Africa, Limpopo Tourism Agency Board Chairperson Mr Freddy Greaver. When Greaver rose to welcome delegates to the province, his message was clear, commanding and confident: Limpopo is ready to host Africa’s tourism leaders and to lead Africa’s tourism growth.
In his hands, the LTA is no longer just a marketing agency — it is an economic weapon. Under his board leadership, LTA has shifted from promoting destinations to driving economic development.
The same agency that opened our wildlife resorts to our own people through the highly successful Mahala Week — free entry to Limpopo Wildlife Resorts from 07 to 09 September 2026 — is now the same agency that has brought an entire continent to Polokwane.
As one delegate was overheard whispering in the corridors of Meropa: “Greaver doesn’t market Limpopo, he positions it.” And this week, he has positioned it as Africa’s tourism capital.
And finally, the host with the most — Executive Mayor of Polokwane Cllr Makoro John Mpe, the man who turned Polokwane into a conference capital. Polokwane Municipality has once again proven why it is South Africa’s City of Stars. Under Mayor Mpe, the city does not just host events, it owns them.
Together with LTA, LEDET, Capricorn District Municipality, Polokwane Tourism and LPTA, Mpe has built a track record of delivering world-class gatherings, from the 2023 Limpopo Holiday Fair at Savannah Mall that gave emerging tourism SMMEs a platform to shine, to now hosting 38 nations under one roof.
While other cities talk about local economic development in PowerPoints, Mayor Mpe does it on the ground. Hosting ATLF 2026 means hotels in Polokwane are full, taxis are moving, restaurants are buzzing, crafters are trading, SMMEs are securing deals and young people are getting jobs.
That is the socio-economic value of business events — and Mpe understood it long before others did. He made Polokwane ready for Africa, and Africa has responded.
As the host province, Limpopo is proud to bring Africa’s tourism leaders together for meaningful conversations, collaboration and shared purpose. As Africa’s southern gateway where borders meet, where cultures converge, and where extraordinary landscapes come alive, Limpopo provided the most fitting setting for this historic gathering.
Today, Polokwane is no longer just a host city. It is Africa’s capital of tourism leadership.
The old slogan said there is More to Enjoy in Limpopo. Today the story has changed. Africa is now enjoying Limpopo.
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