Gwe Gwe - The most expensive lodge on the Wild Coast
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- When I first heard about the new lodge development at Gwe Gwe beach in the Mkambati Nature reserve it was not getting good press and was being seen by many in the same light as anti-conservation projects like Shell oil exploration and Titanium mining… the same people who fought against those mega projects were gearing for a fight against Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Association (the managing body), the Mkambati Land Trust (the owners of the land) and Mkambati Matters (the developers of the lodge).
Of course there are always two sides to the story; the project has the support of many respectable people who have dedicated their lives to the sustainable conservation and development of the Transkei. So, I pursued Colin Bell and Keith Stannard whose company, Mkambati Matters, has been granted the concession to develop the Northern part of Mkambati. They were suspicious of the motivations of a Transkei loving hippy TH-camr who didn’t even have an actual channel at that stage. It took some convincing but finally they kindly agreed to give me access to the site and Keith’s mind. This film is the result of those meetings.
I think the film accurately portrays the world view of the developers and the land owners who are introducing to the Transkei this new development model that has been successful in other places. The film outlines the model and addresses some of the controversial questions that those in opposition to the project have in their minds. It may not answer all their questions, but that's okay... the story is not over.
I am deeply grateful to Colin and Keith for their trust and their hospitality. They have both been privy to edits of the film as it progressed and we swapped many notes; a process I offer to anyone participating in my films. I took into account their concerns regarding the portrayal without losing my intention or my independence. I think we have achieved a good balance. I’m very pleased with the results and stand by every word in the film. I look forward to working with them again.
I hope that this film will inspire others, especially those who are against the development, to come forward and offer stories of their own. I am especially interested in an episode that can demonstrate a realistic alternative model to the Gwe Gwe development. I am interested in exploring whether the privatisation and commodification of “national assets” is the right way to develop tourism.
We all want the same thing… the sustainable conservation and development of the Wild Coast, the Transkei and South Africa. I believe anyone who is passionately pursuing these objectives deserves to have their voice heard. No one alone has the answers to our future. I believe that the more we share our stories the closer we will grow to each other and the sooner we will find ways to a sustainable future underpinned by love, peace and security for all.
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00:00 Intro to Gwe Gwe Lodge - The Challenge
00:29 Beautiful Mkambati Reserve
00:59 History of Mkambati - Leprocy
01:48 Mkambati Land Trust - Owners of Mkambati
02:16 Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism - Biodiversity
03:12 Tourism - Freedom of the Wild Coast
04:29 The End of Freedom - The Problem
05:06 Reply by Project Manager Keith Stannard
05:30 The Developers Side of The Story - Previous Models Have not Benefitted the Community
06:19 Conservation Needs Capital
07:08 How the Development was Developed
08:23 Permits were Issued - Intro to the Luxury Lodge
09:47 Blends in with the Environment
10:31 How do the Beneficiaries Benefit from the Resort
11:23 Employment in the Eastern Cape
12:00 Split of Profits
13:01 How does Nature Conservation Benefit
13:31 Developers View on Capitalism
13:58 Environmental Impact of Development
14:49 The Mpondoland Dwarf Ghekko
15:20 Decree 9 - Can the Lodge be built within 1km of the shoreline
15:53 Dogs chase cars and bark... Chairman of the Mkambati Land Trust
16:34 Was Public Consultation done properly
18:20 Restriction of Access to Mkambati
19:31 Cost of entry to Mkambati
20:42 Customary Traversing Rights
21:46 Having to Book Visiting the Waterfalls
22:32 Things have changed on The Wild Coast
24:39 Conclusions
Thanks Ben for sharing . It is so nice to get some credible news about Mkambati . I was fortunate enough in my younger years to work their as a ranger . Did a lot of field work on the endemic flora of Mkambati and the Transkei drakensburg . Very special place. Mkambati needs all the help it can get . Please keep us updated on the progress of Mkambati .
Thank you .
Thanks for the encouragement. Mkambati is a special place indeed. We’ll definitely track this story… it’s got a long way to go.
Just one final thought, having been born in the Transkei and living there into adulthood, I am very much aware that the whole area needs to be developed. All the skills and enterprises were already existing in the form of informal trade such as beading, basket and weaving works, weaving mats, wood working, tanning hides and many, many others. This is the economic development that is needed ie teaching the locals the value of their trades and helping them become small businesses. This is the development needed, not one just for the rich.
I live nearby, and I'm aware of several of the ongoing crises that affect the area. I think your production here is engaging and informative. If there is honest, transparent business taking place and all (and I mean *all*) legitimate land-use and access rights are protected; then you have a chance of long-term success. Sensitive development that understands it's market audience has to be part of protecting ecology, because the state on its own seems incapable of doing so as part of it's public duty. If there's no transparent oversight, if there is deception and sleight of hand when the apparent benefits both to the land And the people are due - well, then what you have is just another sad African story. I wish them well and hope it's a real success. An honest example of inclusive, managed democratic partnership. God knows we need some good news.
I also hope it is a great success. But I also hope that the rest of the Transkei remains inexpensive, accessible and free.
I'm a huge proponent of development in the eastern cape cause it does not makes sense that our kids leave the area to go work in places like Cape Town. I, 25 years after moving to the usa I'm coming back to Eastern Cape and building my home there. I would love to get involved somehow, even through investment. Sadly a lot of times when we, as black people, want to get involved, other black people get a crab in a bucket mentality or treat us with mistrust. My father is orignally from Lusikisiki and I would love to be part of this endeavor, even if to bring tourists from here in America.
Mama Dee… I’m sure your contribution will be much appreciated. I did some work on the Kavango River in Namibia and discovered that the places that showed the most hope of sustainable development where those places where homies were returning with some money and worldly views from extended absences due to work, study or career. Rural areas suffer terribly from a non returning diaspora.
A very good and informative video. Thank you. CapeTow
We’ve spoken before of the model in Bhutan that seeks to use tourist dollar very exclusively against a very strict environmental and social agenda. As per @cameronmurie, the transparency and integrity of the agenda is key and can ultimately conserve both the environment and the culture. There is of course risk for the Trust of selling out to the tourist dollar. They should know their agenda and values up front and stick with that. Very beautiful piece of work. Well done
Thank you! Yes, time will tell whether the money leads to a better future. I hope it does.
The Transkei coast and its people have survived for thousands of years without the "assistance" of private developers. Oh well, bye bye Transkei, hallo bloated beaurocracy and restriction of movement.
👍🏼
To me it sounds like the disagreement comes from different understandings of what it means to exploit valuable places
Absolutely!
My biggest concern would be if this cuts off access for everyone else.
In the 1970s and 1980s Mkambati was a private reserve and nobody was allowed through from the Msikaba side. People hiking the coast to PSJ had to pay an access charge.
Sure the area needs financial stimulus etc, but it needs to be done in a way that supports the local people, and everyone else, without being exploitative.
Exactly! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Ben. Please do another video. Interview the tour operators and community lodges on the other sides of Mkambati, over the Mtentu and Mzikaba rivers. This may give viewers a different perspective from this video.
Definitely! There is still much more to this story and I hope to get all sides. Thanks for the input.
Great story Ben. Brought a lot of clarity to this situation. Pity you couldn’t get some more commentary from the land owners. Would make a good episode. Well done
Thank you! We will definitely do more on this subject and will definitely get the landowner’s perspective. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Wise words from you at the end, Ben. Have subscibed today.
What does the community want? How can one community decide on behalf of another!
From being very anti this development I am thinking perhaps it is potentially a very good thing conservation wise for the biome. Mostl likely the developers are going to score the most financially.Imagine lots of politicking and fights when/ if the money comes in. The daily rate seems high especially if for a few hours only - and if you are lucky to get a slot! Those falls are out of this world. Unique so perhaps worth it.
Yep, it’s hard to take sides in this debate. I hope it all lives up to expectation. I agree… R300 is VERY expensive!
Outside of Kruger and other parks we see so many informal settlements and high crime areas that makes it unsafe to travel there. This will become a honeypot and the bees will come swarming in... I planned to go and photograph the area and waterfalls after retirement... I simply will not be able to afford it..,
The plan is that the income from the lodge will uplift the surrounding community, so living conditions will het better, not worse. Time will tell. And I agree that it’s sad that it will become so expensive to visit. Hopefully it will not happen to the whole of the Wild Coast.
Thanks Ben for the insight on our mother land, it's beautiful but there is a lot that needs to be done honestly. I just wish transkei one day could reach its potential and I just understand why government doesn't invest in such a beautiful place.
You are right! There is a lot to do. Let’s just try do it!!! Thanks for the kind words. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
@@Transkei_Stories pleasure and I in place called inkunzimbini opposite a place where they mine crash stone for many decades but the place still hasn't developed yet n it bothers me coz the community in my area doesn't benefit at all n every time I go home it saiden me to see young people giving them to alcohol abuse because they have nothing to do. But hey that's another story for another day but honestly speaking I think the transei said has a lot to offer south Africa as a whole due to the lash vegetation n the sites, it's beautiful.
Don’t lose hope my friend. Keep pushing. I hope life improves for your community. 😢
Sadly, at that price, it excludes most local people of the province, let alone the country. They should have a 'local' price of R1000. per day!
I’m sure you mean R100. I agree… it’s VERY expensive.
The problem with this project our people will be denied access to their land & what the land offers .our people have been denued so much disposed our land know in 2023 we still doing this selling our land to foreigner is a shame new way of colonization .capitalist system where do u get this except in Africa .i can go to any European country & acquire land as they do here .
I know what you mean, and I know a lot of people would agree with you. 😢
Heartbreaking for us oldies
😢
But time waits for no man
It is, but there are still many untouched places on the wild coast to visit. Better go before it all changes. 🤣🤣🤣
My dad prediction. Will be a pile of broken bricks and rubble within two years of opening.
Sorry Sad. ex Bizana Boy. 1950s
@@martinlowry3294 I don't think so... I'm sure it will be well maintained. It's just going to be VERY expensive!
Leave the Kei as it is please..
On one hand that is the best idea. But on the other, Transkei people want to improve their lives. Development is inevitable… but what is the best kind of development?
21:52 Mr Keith Stannard over here needs to familiarise himself with the SA constitutioin which enables anyone the right to access any natural resources within the country. Failing which, then he could act upon his earlier threat which is packing up and going home,, leaving this project incomplete like his zoology degree.THIS IS TRANSKAAI, a state that the south african union did not want anything to do with it and today everyone is claws on,,, well goodluck with that
My hope is that everyone comes out of this winning.
@@Transkei_Stories we all do
How is it that the developers can now also control/own the waterfall?! The waterfall is still some distance from where this is being built. I can understand them not wanting people walking across their property, but to charge people to see a waterfall? Whenever I have entered from the Msikaba side, we have paid the daily fee of R30. And I am happy to pay that for access to the reserve and everything in it! But Table Mountain, Cape Point don't even charge that much. In fact, access to Table Mountain is free. A world renowned tourist destination, and it's free. Mkambathi is beautiful, but hardly on the same scale as other reserves and parks in the country. R300-R500 is obscene. And to then say, sorry, but we have a wedding, this waterfall is now exclusive is BS. Have the wedding at the lodge and take your chances with the photos in a public place, same as everyone else for many wedding photo venues! I understand the park needs revenue, but this is not the way.
I don't understand the legality of them trying to control access to a public space. That just sounds like people on a power trip trying to make themselves rich by holding people ransom to something that they should be allowed to access. There is just no way that that place should become only accessible to the super rich who don't care about R300-R500pp. That's obscene.
I agree. It’s very expensive! It’s not like there are dangerous animals that require special care. And there won’t be many roads to maintain. Some people are saying that the high price is just to keep people out. 😢
But legally, how is that allowed? The waterfall is about 2.5km from Gwe Gwe. Are they going to blockade off all that land? What right do they have to do what they are proposing?
@@kathyleverton5631The developers, Mkambati Matters, have secured a 50 year lease to develop and manage the entire Northern half of Mkambati, from the owners of the land, the Mkambati Land Trust. Ao, they seem to be able to make the rules. It seems to be legally sound. I would be very surprised if, after so much money has been invested, that there are holes in the legalities. Of course, I’m not a legal expert… someone I know thinks the whole thing is unconstitutional, but so-far they cannot produce any evidence.
@@Transkei_Stories I wouldn't be at all surprised if there are holes in the system and/or under the table dealings. In fact, I'm willing to put money on there being bribes to get this deal in place.
This is soul destroying.
@@kathyleverton5631I understand how you feel, but you’ll need more than assumptions to do anything about it. Don’t freak yourself out. Let’s see what happens. There are a lot of eyes on Gwe Gwe. My hope is that it succeeds in uplifting the land owners, conserving the Wild Coast and somehow remain accessible to hikers and day trippers with smaller budgets.
WHO OWNS THIS
The land is owned by The Mkambati Land Trust. The beneficiaries of the trust are the 40 000 members of 7 villagers surrounding Mkambati. The development is owned by Mkambati Matters in a 3 way partnership with ECPTA and the Mkambati Land Trust.
Why didn’t he interview Colin bell ?
@@crispinswainstonharrison9042I spoke to Colin. He was not available for interview. He is represented perfectly well by Keith .