The municipalities of Greater Tzaneen and Letaba in Limpopo have received R13 million for the construction of bed and breakfast facilities for the 2010 World Cup.

Tshepo Machipi, Greater Tzaneen tourism development officer, said the money was donated by Irish Aid donors in Ireland.

Machipi said the money was for the Mefakeng Tourism Development Programme to build and upgrade existing B&Bs in the area.

The project will be completed by the end of this year.

"It will for the development of the facilities in the areas like Muhlava, GaSekgopo and Thabina villages with the emphasis on tourism," said Machipi.

"In the Greater Tzaneen municipality, we will be building a central reservation centre in NkowaNkowa, a township known for producing some of the soccer greats.

"In Muhlava, we will build the Eco Lodge. In Thabina, there is a nature reserve but the plan is to add a lodge," said Machipi.

"Most of the areas that we've identified are 30 minutes' drive from Polokwane, one of the host cities for the 2010 World Cup. It is a golden opportunity for our communities in this part of the province to also benefit from the spin-offs of the World Cup."

Machipi said about 300 community members in the two municipalities were employed on the project.

One of the biggest tourists attractions in the area is the Modjadji Royal Village, which is the popular home of the Rain Queen, as well as the Kruger National Park.