Pretoria — The total solar eclipse that was optimally viewed in Limpopo yesterday left a trace of a better life in one of the country's poorest provinces, with preliminary reports indicating that at least 'no less than R120-million was cashed in.'

Limpopo Parks Board and Tourism chief executive officer (CEO) Edgar Mushwana says the province experienced a business boom with accommodation; food suppliers and informal business people the sharing spin-offs of the natural phenomenon.

According to Mr Mushwana, 18 000 beds were booked in the Kruger National Park alone and 35 000 were booked outside, all of them for four to five days of stay by domestic and international tourists. In addition, thousands more people camped near viewing spots and villages where they had a good time.

'The fact that we were fortunate hosts to the 'once in a lifetime natural phenomenon' and which we pulled off without hitches and which was also incident free, augurs well to position Limpopo as a favourite tourist destination,' he added.

He attributed the success of the event to good marketing. 'We saw an opportunity in the eclipse and decided to make the most of it, now we can just smile all the way and hope that tourists will still come to the province to experience its beauty, history and wildlife,' Mr Mushwana told BuaNews.

The watching of the 2002 solar eclipse at the Gombane solar viewpoint in Limpopo yesterday was a lifetime experience for the ardent eclipse fanatics gathered there.

The phenomenon was visible throughout southern Africa - in Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique, but also in Australia.

It began over the Atlantic Ocean in the early hours, becoming apparent on the land shadow that reached the Angolan coastal town on Sumble. In Zimbabwe it occurred at Beit Bridge on the border of South Africa as well as in Musina, Limpopo.

Though the sky was not clear enough to allow viewing with solar eclipse equipment due to cloudy weather conditions, the moment when the moon crossed over the sun was 'felt and experienced.'

Darkness set in for almost two minutes in early morning light, which left watchers awestruck. Mr Mushwana also noted that despite different cultural interpretations of the eclipse, the science around the eclipse impacted positively on communities in Limpopo.

'For example everybody was conscious of the fact that they had to use solar viewers or protective equipment to view the eclipse.'

Environmental affairs and tourism minister Mohammed Valli Moosa joined scientists, academics, students and tourists at the Kruger National Park viewpoint to watch the eclipse.

Limpopo Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Free State Premier Winkie Direko and various MECs also gathered at the viewpoint to witness this natural phenomenon, one that will only be experienced again in 2030.

Meanwhile, a plaque was unveiled in Limpopo Province yesterday, as a mark of the eclipse phenomenon that occurred in the province.

But for the Venda people of Limpopo, yesterday's solar eclipse signalled the coming of N'wali (God of Venda people) who comes to visit because he is angry with his people. Some of them were not excited (also not allowed) to see the eclipse, as they instead performed rituals to N'wali.