One of South Africa’s fastest-growing investment holding companies has taken a major R15 million bet on the economic growth potential of Modimolle, a small town in Limpopo, where it will be launching the flagship store of its new retail chain.
This company is Innovative Solutions Group (ISG), a multibillion-rand enterprise spearheaded by acclaimed entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer Arnoux Maré. Founded in 2011 with a R500 investment in a single company, ISG now boasts more than nine successful subsidiaries in a range of industries which employ over 38,000 staff across its various operations around the country.
On Saturday, 10 September 2022, ISG will officially be opening the doors of the country’s first Leisure and Adventure store for the enjoyment of the local community, outdoor enthusiasts and visitors to the Waterberg area. As a one-stop-shop for outdoor and luxury, it will therefore stock a variety of in-demand products ranging from clothing, optics, cooler boxes, flashlights and braais to confectionery, spices, jams, and olives, from famous brands such as Hi-Tec, First Ascent and Weber.
In celebration of the launch, Leisure and Adventure will further be offering visitors the chance to win special prizes up to the value of R200,000 on cutting-edge optics from leading brands such as Swarovski, Zeiss and Vortex. It will also be offering special discounts on other well-known outdoor brands.
Additionally, Leisure and Adventure will be using the opportunity to launch the store’s own line of high quality, locally manufactured outdoor clothing specifically designed for South African needs, tastes, and wallets.
“Leisure and Adventure is a key milestone for ISG that will mark our first investment into the retail sector,” notes Maré.
“Retail holds a huge wealth of untapped potential for business growth and job creation, especially in underserviced areas outside our major cities. This is especially true for small towns and communities like Modimolle, which are key points for the tourism and safari industry.”
However, the Modimolle store will be just the first of several new stores that will be rolling out across the country over the coming months.
A worthy destination in its own right, Modimolle is the commercial centre for the popular Waterberg region in Limpopo. In the wake of the pandemic, the town is ideally positioned to benefit from a bounce-back in South African tourism, given its proximity to game reserves, guest houses, safari and hunting lodges around Bela-Bela, the Nyl floodplain and the Nylsvley Nature Reserve.
According to the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), the province’s rich abundance of wildlife and memorable scenery, as well as its convenient positioning between neighbours Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, are also important drawcards for attracting local and international holidaymakers. Demonstrating the point, latest LTA figures show that the province is currently visited by 17% or nearly one in five of all international tourists.
“Through Leisure and Adventure, ISG hopes to play a role in driving economic growth and creating new opportunities in a range of geographically remote areas. By providing easy access to basic amenities, as well as to more specialised goods for travellers, we hope to create linkages with the local tourism industry and provide a meaningful boost to surrounding businesses,” says Maré.
“After being restricted for so long by the pandemic and lockdowns, people are ready to get outdoors again, and we want to make it easier and more convenient for visitors and holidaymakers than ever before.
“We’re very excited to be joining the Modimolle community, and we firmly believe that this will be a space to watch.”
