“People leave their homes with electricity and water in villages looking for job opportunities in town, but when they get there they start protests for electricity and water while we actually provided them with those services in the villagers.
“Now we must to a double job for one person; that is not right,” the mayor said.
The new facility has 10 double storey units, 14 single storey units, two backpacker chalets and staff accommodation.
Pakati said “the resort can accommodate a total of 68 people”.
“In addition to this, there is a mini conference facility to accommodate 150 people which will be completed at the end of November this year.
“In the construction phase, around 164 people were employed and there are many economic spin offs that the people of this area will derive from its existence.”
A total of 24 jobs will be created when the resort is operational and villagers will be given rights to facilitate and conduct “adventure-based activities such as canoeing, quad-biking, diving, tour guiding, restaurant operator and river cruises”.
Residents who initiated the project were in a jovial mood this week when the resort was opened.
Chief Nongenile Pato from Tsholomnqa said the resort would benefit the area’s economy.
“We are very happy to finally see the resort back to life.
“It’s been long overdue and it’s been our dream to see the resort back to life again. We have fond memories as Kiwane Beach is one of the few beaches where black people were allowed under apartheid,” Pato said.
“Rural areas are usually neglected and suffer from poverty. We believe this will benefit our young people with job opportunities.”
BCM spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, said the city was in talks with the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa to rate the establishment, which would ultimately give a clear indication of the rates to be charged.
Asked about security measures in place to prevent vandalism again, Ngwenya said: “The resort is fully fenced. Furthermore, there are security cameras that have been put in place.
“There is a security personnel available 24/7.
“We have met with SAPS in Tsholomnqa as well for visibility and regular patrol at the resort.”
Kiwane Resort restored
BCM steps in to complete the project dumped by the tourism department
Image: Michael Pinyana
The previously vandalised and neglected Kiwane Resort in Tsholomnqa came back to life this week when a newly renovated and extended campsite resort was officially opened by the Buffalo City Metro.
This comes after the metro injected R16m towards revitalising the resort after the national department of tourism dumped the project due to budget constraints.
Opening for business next month, the resort already promises tourism fanatics with a refreshing view of the Kiwane River, beautiful chalets for singles and families and outdoor activities such as canoeing and quad biking, for now.
It within a walking distance of Kiwane Beach.
The resort was officially handed over and opened to the community by BCM mayor Xola Pakati, who told hundreds of villagers that they should open their homes to operate homestays, as tourism in the area would soon boom and demand for more accommodation facilities would increase.
“It is with great joy that I stand before you to open the Kiwane Campsite Resort which is set to provide a decisive link between tourism and rural development in our metro.
“It’s very important that we develop the villages otherwise residents flock to the townships and live in shacks,” Pakati said.
Image: Michael Pinyana
“People leave their homes with electricity and water in villages looking for job opportunities in town, but when they get there they start protests for electricity and water while we actually provided them with those services in the villagers.
“Now we must to a double job for one person; that is not right,” the mayor said.
The new facility has 10 double storey units, 14 single storey units, two backpacker chalets and staff accommodation.
Pakati said “the resort can accommodate a total of 68 people”.
“In addition to this, there is a mini conference facility to accommodate 150 people which will be completed at the end of November this year.
“In the construction phase, around 164 people were employed and there are many economic spin offs that the people of this area will derive from its existence.”
A total of 24 jobs will be created when the resort is operational and villagers will be given rights to facilitate and conduct “adventure-based activities such as canoeing, quad-biking, diving, tour guiding, restaurant operator and river cruises”.
Residents who initiated the project were in a jovial mood this week when the resort was opened.
Chief Nongenile Pato from Tsholomnqa said the resort would benefit the area’s economy.
“We are very happy to finally see the resort back to life.
“It’s been long overdue and it’s been our dream to see the resort back to life again. We have fond memories as Kiwane Beach is one of the few beaches where black people were allowed under apartheid,” Pato said.
“Rural areas are usually neglected and suffer from poverty. We believe this will benefit our young people with job opportunities.”
BCM spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, said the city was in talks with the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa to rate the establishment, which would ultimately give a clear indication of the rates to be charged.
Asked about security measures in place to prevent vandalism again, Ngwenya said: “The resort is fully fenced. Furthermore, there are security cameras that have been put in place.
“There is a security personnel available 24/7.
“We have met with SAPS in Tsholomnqa as well for visibility and regular patrol at the resort.”
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