Popular lodge needs help to rebuild after fire
The first focus is to raise enough money to rebuild the lapa.
If anyone has ever visited Mtentu Lodge they would know just how magical the place truly is, nestled on the Wild Coast.
Sadly, tragedy struck a few days after Christmas (December 28) when the main entertainment area of the lodge caught fire and burnt down.
Russell Hartshorne of Mtentu Lodge said they lost everything that makes the lodge run including the kitchen, bar, seating area, office, storeroom and workshop.
However, no guests or staff were harmed in the blaze.
Mtentu, is arguably the most wondrous Wild Coast destination available as it provides an escape from the rat race while not being too isolated. It’s some 24km beach horse ride/hike/cycle or 65km drive from The Wild Coast Sun.
Hartshorne explained that the lodge is a community partnership.
“The local community own the land and all the buildings on the land.”
For more than 10 years the lodge has become a successful tourism business supporting more than 13 staff and many local spin-off businesses.
“The lodge has attracted not only South African visitors but many international guests over the years. We also buy all our groceries and materials from shops located on the KZN South Coast. So this disaster has an impact far and wide,” said Hartshorne.
For hikers exploring the Transkei coastline, the lodge also became a popular stop-over where one could eat, drink and rest.
The lodge is also central in the fight against proposed exploitative titanium mining in the area.
“Without the lodge there is no strong cornerstone of tourism in the area. This means that there is no alternative to mining for the community and so the lodge’s success is important in the fight against the destruction that the mining will bring.”
Hartshorne said that in order to get the lodge back up and running they need to rebuild the main lapa area and restock it with everything needed to run it again.
Their first focus is to raise enough money to rebuild the lapa.
“We need to buy timber and building materials. All our tools and nearly all of our equipment was lost in the fire and it will all need to be bought again.”
Hartshorne said that in order for the lodge to have a chance of survival and for the staff and community to regain their livelihoods they need the public’s help.
He added that they do have an interim ‘Plan B’ so follow their Facebook page: Mtentu Lodge and Camp for updates.
If you can help, either donate via Backabuddy or contact Russell’s father, Ben on 071 5251698.
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