PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY ULWAZI
Background
As the capital of a new province, Nelspruit currently lacks many of the amenities of other, well-established capitals. In 2006, the Mbombela Local Municipality, with funding support from the Development Bank of Southern Africa, retained Ulwazi to undertake the development of a business plan for a Heritage Village, provisionally named as the Fundza Village of Discovery. It was conceived that the Village would include a science centre, museum, art gallery and associated commercial facilities.
Approach
The project was guided by a steering committee of representatives from the Municipality, Development Bank and Chamber of Business.Stakeholder participation was provided by means of interviews with key role-players and a workshop at which preliminary plans were shared for comments. The project was conducted in three phases: situational analysis, site options and business plan. In Phase 1, Ulwazi analysed existing resources and plans, and established criteria to guide the business planning.
In Phase 2, Ulwazi identified potential sites, and established criteria for and evaluated each of these sites. For the preferred site, Ulwazi worked with local architects, engineers and quantity surveyors to develop concept designs, plans and capital costs. The so-called Mbombela Science Centre provides a facility of about 2 300 m2 that will cater for up to 100 000 visitors a year, offering both a general exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and themed suites of exhibits reflective of the region.
The Mpumalanga Heritage Museum can display the full spectrum of the wealth of natural, cultural and living heritage available in the province. The design (artist impression to left) provides 3 100 m2 of space, catering for between 30 000 and 100 000 visitors, the latter projection based on the museum becoming a must-see attraction, with traditional displays of artefacts complemented by video, animation and sounds.
The Nelspruit Art Gallery may house the municipal art collection, secure the loan of works from the provincial government and other sources, and build up its own collection of contemporary South African art. The design provides a total of 1 556 m2 of space. Around a central water feature, the above facilities are linked by restaurants, retail, a children’s playground and a business incubator for cultural industries, to create an edu-tainment node for Nelspruit (concept plan to right).
In Phase 3, Ulwazi provided capital costs, assessed the operating factors and prepared financial projections for each of the facilities; explored business models for operating the Village; and made recommendations on implementation including timing, risk assessment, priorities and possible sources of funding. Ulwazi continues to work with Mbombela Local Municipality to bring the project to fruition.