Carousel Reimagined: Multi-million Rand Economic Revival to Create 900 Jobs

Carousel Reimagined: Multi-million Rand Economic Revival to Create 900 Jobs 

South Africa’s Iconic Destination Returns as Moretele Municipality’s Economic Powerhouse 

Former Casino Transforms into “Worlds Within a World” – Targeting 600 Construction and 300 Permanent Jobs Within Three Years 

Pretoria, South Africa – Carousel, once the economic heartbeat of Moretele Municipality and the largest casino in the southern hemisphere, is set to reclaim its position as the region’s primary economic driver through a comprehensive multi-million Rand transformation across 500 hectares of prime South African landscape. Under new ownership and guided by the visionary concept of “Worlds Within a World,” the iconic venue is creating an unprecedented integrated ecosystem that will directly employ 900 people within three years while revitalising the broader regional economy. 

Reviving Economic Leadership Through Innovation 

During its heyday, Carousel was the cornerstone of Moretele Municipality’s economy, providing thousands of jobs and supporting countless local businesses. The new ownership is committed to not just restoring this economic impact but amplifying it through sustainable, diversified development that creates lasting prosperity for the region. 

“Carousel’s transformation represents the largest private sector investment in Moretele Municipality in decades,” said Mr André Pretorius, Managing Director of Carousel. “Across 500 hectares, with 300 hectares of prime bush, we’re not simply rebuilding a venue—we’re creating a sustainable economic ecosystem that can host everything from intimate business meetings to festivals of over 20,000 people. Our commitment to create 600 construction jobs and 300 permanent positions within 3 years demonstrates our confidence in both the project and the community’s potential.” 

Comprehensive Job Creation and Skills Development 

The Carousel project will deliver immediate and sustained economic impact through: 

• 600 construction jobs across infrastructure development, motorsport facilities, and residential expansion 

• 300 permanent positions spanning hospitality, security, events management, maintenance, conservation, and administration 

• Tourism and hospitality training programmes providing upskilling opportunities for local residents 

• Local business integration prioritising Moretele Municipality suppliers and service providers in the event supply chain 

• Entrepreneurship support creating opportunities for local wedding planners, caterers, and event specialists 

World-Class Events, MICE and Motorsport Excellence 

At the heart of Carousel’s economic strategy lies a comprehensive event and business tourism infrastructure designed to attract national and international events across multiple scales: 

• Professional MICE facilities accommodating 50-1,000+ attendees with state-of-the-art technical capabilities 

• Festival grounds accommodating over 20,000 people, specifically designed for multi-day festival events that maximise visitor spend and extended stays 

• FIA-standard motorsport raceway positioning South Africa as a premier destination for international racing events 

• Integrated hospitality services with expanded accommodation and conference facilities 

• Unique experiential offerings that command premium pricing and extended visitor stays 

Conservation-Centred Tourism Innovation 

Carousel’s commitment to sustainable development places conservation at the heart of all tourism, nature, and wildlife experiences, with 300 hectares of prime bush providing the natural foundation for diverse eco-tourism initiatives: 

• Elevated walking safari on a 6-meter-high nature trail designed with minimal environmental impact across pristine bushveld 

• Conservation-focused theme park integrating education, entertainment, and wildlife protection within the natural ecosystem 

• Eco-tourism programmes that generate revenue while preserving and showcasing 300 hectares of indigenous biodiversity 

• Sustainable residential development that coexists harmoniously with natural ecosystems across the 500-hectare property 

Immediate Impact: Eco Estate Already Operational 

Demonstrating the project’s rapid implementation, Carousel has already completed significant infrastructure development with measurable results: 

• Renovated hotel and apartment facilities now operational and generating revenue through diverse accommodation offerings 

• Eco estate community with units sold and operating as long-term rentals, attracting residents seeking sustainable lifestyle options 

• Multi-day visitor accommodation catering to extended conference stays, festival attendees, and eco-tourism guests 

• Diverse stayer demographics from business travellers and families to conservation enthusiasts and motorsport fans, maximising occupancy and revenue streams 

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement 

Carousel’s economic revival is built on strong partnerships with key stakeholders committed to regional development. The project has already secured engagement from regional government, local entrepreneurs, and tourism professionals. 

“Carousel’s represents exactly the kind of sustainable, community-focused development that Moretele Municipality needs. The council is working closely with the new management to ensure this project integrates seamlessly with our community development plans,” said Moretele Municipality Mayor, Cllr Masango George Manyike. “The creation of 1,000 jobs and the commitment to local skills development aligns perfectly with our vision for economic growth that benefits all our residents.”  

Nonhlanhla Seoe, responsible for destination and tourism promotion from a business events perspective in the City of Tshwane, will be visiting Carousel on 29 July 2025 for strategic discussions with management and stakeholders. 

“Carousel’s integrated approach to destination development aligns perfectly with our vision for sustainable business tourism growth in the greater Tshwane region,” said Ms Nonhlanhla Seoe. “The project’s commitment to job creation, skills development, and conservation creates a model that other destinations can follow. We’re excited to explore how Carousel’s renaissance can contribute to positioning our region as a world-class business events destination.” 

Regional Economic Multiplier Effects 

The Carousel project will generate significant economic benefits beyond direct employment: 

• High-value visitor spending supporting local restaurants, guesthouses, and retail establishments, particularly from multi-day festival attendees and conference delegates 

• Supply chain opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, and service providers across the 500-hectare development 

• Tourism infrastructure development improving roads, utilities, and telecommunications 

• Skills transfer building local capacity in hospitality, events, conservation management, and festival operations 

• Investment attraction positioning Moretele Municipality for additional private sector development 

Sustainable Development Model 

Mr Pretorius emphasised the project’s long-term sustainability approach: “Our ‘Worlds Within a World’ concept ensures that Carousel serves multiple economic sectors simultaneously. Business conferences generate revenue during weekdays, multi-day festivals attract tens of thousands of visitors, motorsport events create weekend premium experiences, conservation tourism provides year-round appeal, and our eco estate residential community creates a stable base. This diversification across 500 hectares protects against economic volatility while maximising employment opportunities and preserving 300 hectares of prime bushveld for future generations.” 

Immediate Implementation Timeline 

With construction already underway and event bookings securing operational revenue, Carousel is moving rapidly toward full implementation. 

• Phase 1 (2025): MICE facilities operational, initial construction jobs created 

• Phase 2 (2026/2027): Motorsport raceway, retail and housing development, permanent staffing at full capacity 

• Phase 3 (2027): Conservation tourism and theme park development, residential expansion 

Investment and Partnership Opportunities 

The project continues to attract interest from: 

• International event organisers seeking premium integrated venues 

• Motorsport bodies evaluating South Africa’s FIA-standard facilities 

• Conservation organisations supporting sustainable tourism development 

• Government agencies focused on regional economic development 

• Private investors attracted to the destination’s diversified revenue model