African Racing News Update

According to an article in the Weekend Post Addo horse-breeder and farmer Phindi Kema is one of the key movers and shakers behind an ambitious R1,3-billion horse-racing initiative in Plettenberg Bay which could see horses from all over the African continent competing in a prestige annual event.

The Iph’iNtombi farm owner is a director of African Race Estate and a mom-of-three whose dream it is to see African-bred thoroughbreds and Arabian royalty race in Plett at a new track and pavilion incorporating a five-star hotel and village.

The proposed Africa Race International (ARI) would be an annual event at which horses from all over Africa would represent their countries.

“People still grapple with the level of this race,” said Kema. “It is going to benefit the (horse-racing) industry and South Africa. It will open new markets.”

She said it would be a first of its kind and “a lot of work and time will be put into it before it starts”. The development would begin as soon as regulatory requirements – like an environmental impact assessment and rezoning of the 60ha land which had been identified – had been cleared. The land is situated west of Plettenberg Bay, adjacent to the shoreline.

The inaugural race was likely to have horses representing Swaziland, Angola, Nigeria, Morocco and Libya and funding was expected from local and Middle Eastern partners, with Qatar rumoured to be one of the nations involved.

“I realised there was a market out there that has never been explored by the industry and I’ve brought in outside partners to take full advantage of it and take racing forward.

“The Western Cape government is fully behind the project. It fits within their vision – this race, without a doubt, will add a lot of value to the industry and Western Cape because of its uniqueness.”

Kema will not give up farming in the Eastern Cape just yet, but is negotiating a deal that will free up her time so she can focus on the racing initiative while relocating to Plett. “My focus in the next few years is Africa Race International and to attend more race meetings in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.”

She said overseas expertise was being brought in and a European expert had been appointed to market the race internationally. An announcement in this regard would be made at the end of this month.

Kema, who made her mark as a businesswoman by farming with citrus and later breeding horses, said she was keen on turning Plett into a horse-racing capital for African horses. While the man in the street would be able to race at the annual event, the developers were targeting African countries, their royalty and the super-rich, she said.

Kema won the Editor’s Choice category of the 2008 The Herald, Absa Corporate Business Bank and NMMU Business School Business Person of the Year Awards for her agricultural enterprises in Addo.

She said she believed that “going after your dreams by taking risks pays later” and added it was important to “put time, focus and energy into anything you do”.

She has decided to move to Plett “to be close to the regulatory process while plans to seal the deal are under way”.

Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said his department supported the initiative and on January 25 a meeting with other role- players, such as provincial planning and provincial agriculture, would take place in Cape Town.

Winde said he did not foresee agriculture or the Bitou Municipality in Plett having a problem with the development plans. “I think this plan makes good economic and tourism sense.”
If the proposed land was not available, Winde said he would be “happy to help find other suitable land”.

Note: Several African horse racing enthusiasts have invited Richman's Racing to establish a presence in Africa similar to the one it has in China.