From a valuable South African airport to a dilapidated building ripped apart by vandals

“There used to be so many tourists that would come here. Those days are long gone. Now we operate like a ghost town.”

These are the words of lifelong Thaba ‘Nchu resident Liboko Mabede, who worked in the hospitality business when the town was still booming with foot traffic.

Home to approximately 56,000 people, Thaba ‘Nchu is a small town in the Free State that now forms part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

The town was established in 1873, following the arrival of the Barolong people under Chief Moroka II in the 1830s.

During the apartheid era, it was incorporated into the Bophuthatswana Bantustan, significantly altering its administrative status.

After the end of apartheid, Thaba ‘Nchu became part of the Free State province. Following the 2011 local government elections, it was amalgamated into the Mangaung alongside Bloemfontein and Botshabelo.

Pre-democracy, Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope embarked on several large capital projects to grow the local economy.

A notable project was that of the Thaba ‘Nchu Airport (TCU), which was opened in 1988 during the eleventh anniversary of their independence. 

It became a significant catalyst for boosting the local economy, with popular tourist attractions like the Naledi Sun Hotel and Casino following suit.

These tourist attractions ceased operations years ago, resulting in a significant loss of employment opportunities for the town’s residents.

“People from all over the world used to come here. They’d come from overseas and get a flight from OR Tambo to here and then go to the nearby hotel,” said DA Councillor Raynie Klaasen.

“The two establishments used to be booming and employed hundreds of people. Now all of them are jobless,” she added.

In May 2024, Mangaung Mayor Gregory Nthatisi told The Business Weekly that plans were underway to revive the idle airport. He said more details would be revealed as their business plan developed.

“We are also looking closer to that airport of putting a solar system… to generate energy to help service our people through energy and other means,” said Nthatisi.

BusinessTech visit

BusinessTech travelled to Thaba ‘Nchu to see some of the progress, or lack thereof, of the structure, which was once a sign of pride and economic vitality.

The roads leading to the former airport which served Thaba ‘Nchu are riddled with potholes, making for a bumpy ride.

Upon arrival, after nearly missing the airport due to overgrown vegetation, one sees the ruins of what was once a thriving tourist destination.

The Thaba ‘Nchu Airport is now in a desolate state. Inadequate infrastructure maintenance is an understatement.

Neglect and vandalism have caused immense damage. No windows or roofing remain. Grass and trees sprout on the concrete, indicating years of carelessness and neglect.

The abandoned grounds are now a hub of criminality, with a dumped body found on the location during our visit.

Many factors contributed to the airport’s collapse, but critics mainly cite “poor leadership and a lack of direction.”

DA councillor Lebohang Mohlamme said, “The airport once symbolised pride and prosperity for the community.”

“The closure of the airport, due to mismanagement, is unacceptable as the municipality struggles with an unemployment crisis,” he added.

“For me, it feels like a concerted effort to destroy anything that came pre-1994. Even if there were some good things, like the airport, they want it gone,” said Klaasen.

Stakeholders are calling on the government to prioritise infrastructure maintenance to attract investment and restore economic growth.

For those like Liboko, the fact that it has deteriorated into a shell of its former glory means that a once stable income is no more.

The remains of the airport serve as a bitter reminder of lost chances, lost jobs, poor management, and economic stagnation.

Images of the former airport