The Standerton Guesthouse Association is concerned about the current accommodation practices linked to operations at Eskom’s Tutuka Power Station.

The management of the association comprises Nana Mahamotsa as chairperson, Riana Buys as secretary, and Corné Scholtz as an additional member.

They said in a recent media statement that it has come to the attention of the association’s members that a system is being implemented to centralise accommodation bookings for Eskom employees and contractors through a specific forum or structure.

This system appears to introduce an intermediary role in allocating guests to local accommodation providers.

While we fully support initiatives aimed at transformation, inclusivity and the development of previously disadvantaged businesses, we are concerned that the current approach may have unintended consequences,” reads the media statement.

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These consequences include:

• The exclusion of certain legitimate accommodation providers from fair participation;
• The restriction of open and competitive access to business opportunities;
• The introduction of a “middle man” structure that may impact the sustainability of independently operated guesthouses;
• A lack of transparency on allocation criteria and decision-making processes.

“We believe that any system governing access to economic opportunities must align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and non- discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa, and must comply with applicable legislation, including the Competition Act.”

The Standerton Guesthouse Association calls on all relevant stakeholders, including Eskom management, to:

• Provide clarity on the status and structure of the proposed or implemented system;
• Ensure that all accommodation providers are afforded fair and equal opportunities to participate.
• Avoid the implementation of any model that may unintentionally distort the market or disadvantage compliant businesses;
• Engage transparently with all stakeholders in developing a fair and sustainable solution.

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“We remain committed to constructive engagement and to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to promote a fair, inclusive and thriving local accommodation sector that supports both economic development and service excellence.

“The Standerton Guesthouse Association reserves its rights to pursue appropriate remedies through the relevant regulatory and legal channels should these concerns not be adequately addressed.”

The association issued this statement on April 15, but has to date not received any feedback from Eskom or Tutuka.

The Standerton Advertiser also asked for comment. The newspaper first contacted Lazarus Muthimba, Communication and Stakeholder Management Practitioner for the Limlanga Cluster.

He referred us to Eskom’s media help desk (Tutuka) but could not provide a contact number or a person there.

Standerton Advertiser sent several emails over the course of the last three weeks to Eskom’s Media Desk, which remain unanswered.

Phone calls and messages to the media desk also remained unanswered. Attempts to reach Tutuka Power Station management or spokespeople also proved futile.