Klipfontein still neglected

THE PUBLIC is repeatedly told by politicians that Tourism is an economic sector with astounding potential. This is even said in AbaQulusi Municipality whose every IDP (Integrated Development Plan) document mentions Tourism’s potential for this area. But it would appear that nobody with any real influence actually understands Tourism.

A tourist does not necessarily have to come from Europe, America, Japan nor other African countries. A tourist is someone who visits Vryheid, someone not usually resident in this town, someone who spends money here which was earned elsewhere.

Vryheid has few enough attractions that a tourist would want to see. One of those attractions is Klipfontein Dam because it is recognised as being one of the top three fresh water fishing dams in the country. People come from around the province, and from around the country, to fish Klipfontein Dam, sometimes in competitions recognised by provincial and national angling associations.

These people bring money to Vryheid, money earned elsewhere.

But there are also people who live in Vryheid who for whom Klipfontein is a popular recreation site. Fishing, swimming, relaxing, canoeing, boating, skiing, yachting all take place at Klipfontein Dam.

People, local and tourists, pay to get into this recreational area but what do they get?

Very little.

True, the grass in specific areas is cut, but that’s it. Don’t expect to use the camping site and have a shower. Don’t expect water to come out the taps so that you can wash your hands. Don’t, for pity’s sake, use a toilet.

Only one of the three ablution blocks had water over the Festive Season and that was the one which gets its water supply via Inkamana Abbey. The other two blocks are without water and many of the fixtures have been vandalised.

The Jojo reservoir tank that fed the ablution blocks was stolen last year, but on Monday this week seemed to have been replaced. But there was still no water, and it there seemed to be evidence that the pipes had again been vandalised or stolen.

It is a problem.

The municipality has in the past repaired the facilities, but no sooner had it done so than they were again wrecked. They even cemented into the floor the toilet bowls which had been stolen a number of times before. And while it is believed that there was (is?) security patrolling the area, if it exists it is ineffectual.

So what to do? How can Klipfontein be restored to the condition it was when the old Natal Parks Board administered it?

Local fishing clubs are apparently thinking about making a proposal to the municipality to take over the running of the facilities, for the benefit of visitors whether local or tourists. Among the ideas is one to upgrade the camping site to include a restricting palisade fence. A petition has been circulated which once signatures are collected will be presented to the municipality’s Director of Community Services. It calls for repairs to be done to the facilities, facilities which are disproportionate to the steadily rising entrance fees charged at the gate.

Whether the petition will have an effect is not known, nor whether the municipality will consider the “privatisation” of the dam’s facilities. Perhaps the municipality is not in a position to make that decision since the dam actually belongs to the Department of Water Affairs.

In the meantime, this summer, when you want to relax at the dam, don’t rely on the ablution blocks for your toilet requirements.

But you might ask yourself what you are paying for when you go through the gate.

We don’t know.