Botshabelo is open for business again and from next year, the Place of Refuge will again be run like it should as a business.

For more than a decade, Botshabelo has seen a decline in its tourism potential following years of neglect on maintenance.

After handover to the Botshabelo Community Development Trust in 2005, the infighting between the 1000 strong claimant community became so dire, that the trust’s bank account had to be frozen by the High Court.

The looting of historical artifacts also became so bad, that the municipality decided to remove what was left and safeguard it for the owners.

The historical village was infiltrated by some claimants which led to tourists avoiding the once thriving international destination.

After the previous board was dissolved and interim board had been chosen and Ms Penny Riba appointed.

Ms Riba had started her hospitality career under the former Botshabelo curator, Ms Jeanette Fraser.

She told www.mobserver.co.za that it feels that she had returned home.

The church built in the 1860’s had been rebuilt and upgrades on overnight facilities are also in full swing.

Ablution facilities had been redone and the electricity connection is back on.

Since the departure of all residential claimants, Botshabelo is again open to the public and bookings are open.

Watch: VIDEO: Botshabelo –  then and now

Read: Botshabelo decline results in tourism slump

Read: Mayor weighs in on Botshabelo

Watch: VIDEO – Bothsabelo church collapse