MALALANE – Had it not been opposed so vehemently, builders would have started work on a 240-bed safari tented resort close to the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Malelane Gate this month. On Wednesday conservation groups and concerned individuals confirmed their opposition of the proposed development during a meeting organised by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The meeting gave appellants against the department’s approval of the proposed resort the opportunity to motivate their stance on the issue.
They expressed their disdain at environmental minister Ms Edna Molewa’s approval of the R217 million Radisson Blu Safari Resort, which was given in September last year. The list of appellants include the luxurious Pestana Lodge, represented by attorney Mr Chris Engelbrecht and Against Interference in Kruger Our Nature Asset (Aikona) with spokesman Mr Gerhard Smit.
Feedback on Wednesday’s meeting will be presented to Molewa, who will announce on April 28 whether the resort will be built or not. Should the outcome be unsatisfactory to the appellants, they may turn to our courts for relief. Engelbrecht explained that his clients especially opposed the resort’s proposed park-and-ride area. He said that the park and ride would consist of an entry gate with a security house, welcome centre and carports for approximately 150 vehicles.
The initial plan was that it would be located opposite Pestana Lodge. It will now be opposite Leopard Creek. Engelbrecht said that this would have a negative impact on both Pestana and Leopard Creek. Both the safari lodge and park and ride will operate after the park’s regular gate hours. “The narrow provincial road is not suitable for a park-and-ride facility. A large number of guests will be conveyed between the park-and-ride facility and the Malelane Gate. This is authorised to happen late at night, causing traffic congestion. The Malelane Gate and the area’s security will be placed under threat as well.”
Engelbrecht said that socio-economic and traffic impact studies for the proposed development had not been done properly. Aikona spokesman, Mr Gerhard Smit, said that Custos Naturae, the KNP slogan, means “guardian of nature”. He said that the proposed development did not fit with the KNP ethos and did not promote guardianship of nature. SANParks had repeatedly expressed its support of the development. Other media recently reported that the resort’s construction will provide 350 people with job opportunities. Those who are against the construction thereof maintain that this will not compensate for what will, in their opinion, ruin the park they know and love.
