The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) headquarters in Moria, Limpopo, is about to be developed into a local equivalent of the Vatican City in Rome or Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Since Premier Sello Moloto made the announcement in his state of the province address last week, there's been an enthusiastic response from the local tourism industry.
President of the South African Leisure and Tourism Association in Limpopo, Tom Boya, said Moria City's development would boost tourism and contribute to the region's growing economy.
Every Easter, millions of Christians make their way to Moria outside Polokwane for what has become the biggest religious gathering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Moria is already packed days in advance as worshippers arrive early from across South Africa and neighbouring countries to secure a good spot to park their buses, taxis and cars. There is limited accommodation, so most people sleep in their vehicles.
The first gatherings at Moria were initiated by the ZCC's first Bishop, Engenas Barnabas Lekganyane, in 1910.
He had a vision to start a Christian church that would embrace the African lifestyle, culture, political development and history without compromising Christian values.
When Edward Engenas Lekganyane took over the church after his father passed away in 1948, the church had about 120 000 members.
The present head of the church, Barnabas Edward Lekganyane, took over in 1967 and has watched membership grow into millions.