Protests harm tourism, business and lives

Owners and managers of hospitality establishments in the Hazyview and Panorama region are expressing increased anger and concern about ongoing protest actions in the area as days go by.

Following the latest unrest on the Panorama Route, one of them angrily mentioned their helplessness under the circumstances. “Our transfer and safari operators who serve, fetch and bring guests to these destinations are also losing income. What are we going to do about this?”

He expressed fear that tourism in the region could grind to a halt if nothing gets done. “After Cape Town the Lowveld is the most visited area of our country,” he said. “When I talk to guests, they always mention the Panorama Route with the Kruger National Park the main reason why they visit this area. Then you see their disappointment when you tell them that it might not be possible for them to go on that route because the roads could be closed due to protest action.”

He acknowledged the fact that the local people have issues and needs and pleaded with the local government to step in and attend to their issues.

He also mentioned potholes, neglected and unsafe roads as further factors that endanger a thriving tourism industry in the Lowveld. “This has to stop,” he said. “People of South Africa, we need tourism, it is our livelihood. Help us make it better.”

His plea was echoed by the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) last week.

“The KLCBT notes with concern the increase in violent service-delivery protests that seem to be taking place every second day in Ehlanzeni,” its president, Oupa Pilane said. “The protests have a huge impact on tourism and business growth as some of our members have not been able to operate and have had their shops looted.”

He also expressed understanding of the seriousness and the impact that a lack of service delivery has on the lives of people. “We are fully behind them, raising their concerns, which are our concerns, and that of our employees.”

He strongly condemned all criminal acts in the form of violence, closing roads and making it difficult for tourists to travel, destruction of property and looting, under the guise of “service-delivery protests”.

He said it was worrying that authorities fail to put an end to the unrest, clearly displaying the incompetence of those who are given the responsibility of serving those communities. He further noted that some areas resemble a war zone and that protesters are wreaking havoc.

The KLCBT has had reports from its members who cannot get to work and from tourists who are trapped and unable to travel. “This is particularly distressing as tourists are helping to create much-needed jobs in our country,” he said.

The KLCBT thus called on all leaders in government to work with all organs of civil society to ensure that any service delivery issues are properly raised and attended to, so that damage to the economy and investor confidence can be avoided.

“We want those in leadership positions in government to know that the people come first in everything they do, not their pockets and selfish interests. There is no place for corruption, complacency, cynicism, or excuses,” said Pilane and appealed to people to raise their concerns around service delivery in a nonviolent manner.

On Monday it was reported that the Public Order Police (SAPS) from Hazyview cleared the R532 (Ohrigstad Road) and that access to the potholes was possible. It was also alleged that they have reached an agreement with strike leaders to rather carry on with their protest inside the village and not to close the provincial road affecting businesses.