R10mil white elephant now a thatch café
After being undeveloped for over 10 years, owners of the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve has opened a new family hot spot in its place.
The owners of the land where the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) intended to develop the R10 million Katlego Village project, has now after more than a decade of no development, built a café and BMX track instead.
“The WRDM built Katlego Cultural Village in Muldersdrift on property that does not even belong to them. More than R10 million was spent without a proper agreement with the property owner,” Dennis Pretorius, DA caucus leader of the West Rand District Municipality, said.
Ed Hern, founder and owner of Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve, told the News he and his team proposed a project that would create job opportunities in the Kromdraai area about 14 years ago. Katlego Cultural Village was expected to receive exposure to the more than 2 000 daily reserve visitors. Hern said the building has great potential for the tourism industry on the West Rand.
Ed told the News in August last year the reserve wanted to manage the building, but had then not made any headway with the WRDM.
Now, The Thatch Café opened in March, adjacent to the Rhino and Lion Reserve. The once vacant thatched building has changed into a family outdoor experience.
New cycle routes for all ages have been designed, including a five, 10, 15 and 60 kilometre on and off road route. There is a Kiddies Track, BMX track and a Pump Track as well as opportunity to relax on the wooden deck.
“The WRDM never put the building in their name, as I never formally agreed to it,” Ed previously said.
Also read:
• R10mil taxpayer money still wasted
• R10 mil white elephant in the wrong hands
• Water loss at R40m, higher rates loom
