Latest Update
Dear Mr Smith,
Thank you for contacting UNESCO regarding Isimangaliso World Heritage site. I have been requested by Mr. Rao to carefully study this issue.
I will come back to you with more details.
Best regards
Lazare Eloundou
Chief, Africa Unit
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Dear Mr Smith
Thank you for our mail and issues touched therein.
The world heritage issues at UNESCO are under supervision of the World Heritage Centre which is headed by Mr Kishore Rao.
May I respectfully ask to get in touch with Mr Rao (k.rao@unesco.org) who would be well suited to advise on possible remedies for the situation.
Thank you
Janis Karklins
Dear Sir
I am writing this on behalf of regular Tourists and Neighbours to Sodwana Bay which falls in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa.
Please find below a detailed letter that I have send to our local authorities for investigation. My feeling is that they do not know the correct channels of Authority or recognise the urgency of the matter and therefore I have thought to address UNESCO. I would appreciate it very much if you could take the time to carefully read my letter below so that you could have a clear understanding of what we Tourists and Neighbours have experienced at Sodwana Bay. This mainly relates to the difficulties that we have to gain access into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park at Sodwana Bay over peak holiday seasons. I have read through your (UNESCO-World Heritage Site) website and would like to point out the items which I have highlighted. – See below in yellow and blue. Also, please find all correspondence as to which I have received at the bottom of this mail.
As I have mentioned in my original letter there are not much benefits to Tourists, Neighbours and the local Community over peak holiday seasons at Sodwana Bay which is in contradiction of the Integrity Values of a World Heritage Site.
Can this please be treated at a high level? I would kindly like to know whether this issue will be attended to and if possible some details as to the way forward.
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
+27 824953355
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Integrity
The property consists of 13 separate but contiguous conservation units totalling 239,566 ha including some 85,000 ha of marine reserves. Its history of conservation management dates back to 1895 when the first reserves were created by the Zululand Government, and later proposals for titanium sand mining were rejected. Ongoing integrity issues include the protection of catchment area and regional development (upstream water abstraction, agricultural practices and road construction); land claims (which may result in further boundary issues); resource harvesting and local community issues; and restoration of degraded habitats. A unified management system for all 13 components was also requested.
The park is not inhabited by people apart from six small townships in the Kosi Bay Coastal Forest Reserve (insert current number of inhabitants). There are also two villages (Makakatana and St Lucia Estuary) which are enclaves within the Park but not part of it. About 100,000 people from 48 tribal groups live in villages surrounding the Park and community conservation programmes are key to minimising conflicts and maximising benefits. A progressive neighbour-relations policy fosters good relations with communities who live near the Park to ensure that they derive direct benefits from the protected area such as free access, business and employment.
Benefits of World Heritage listing
Once a site is inscribed on the World Heritage List, it joins an
international community that values and appreciates
outstanding examples of natural wealth. Today the World
Heritage concept is so well understood that sites on the list
are a magnet for international cooperation and receive
financial assistance for conservation projects from a variety
of sources. Finally, inscription of a site on the World Heritage
List brings an increase in public awareness of the site and its
OUV and can lead to increased tourist activities at the site.
When tourism is well planned and organized around
sustainable tourism principles, it can bring important funds
to the site and the local economy. The prestige that comes
from having sites inscribed on the World Heritage List often
serves as a catalyst to raising awareness for conserving
marine natural heritage for future generations.
Assessing Marine World Heritage
from an Ecosystem Perspective
The Western Indian Ocean
Integrity – Many of the issues and challenges identified by
the World Heritage Committee at the time of the inscription
of iSimangaliso as a World Heritage site have been
resolved. Previously comprising fragmented parcels of land,
iSimangaliso has been consolidated into one proclaimed
protected area under South African legislation, the World
Heritage Convention Act. Importantly this act adopts the
Convention and writes the protection of the World
Heritage sites into South African law, whilst also recognising
the need to deliver economic and social benefits to
neighbouring communities, without which the long term
integrity of the Property could be compromised. Added to
this, a zone of influence (buffer zone) has been delineated
along iSimangaliso's boundary, where development controls
afford the Park an additional layer of protection. The
necessary conservation and visitor infrastructure that is
required for effective conservation and interpretation of the
Park's universal values has largely been put in place
including, fencing most of the Park. Conservation
programmes include the reintroduction of native species
and removal of alien commercial plantation species from
iSimangaliso, with on-going and rigorous alien plant
control programmes being applied. Additional terrestrial
and marine areas of ecological significance to the
iSimangaliso has also been incorporated into the Park. Nine
of the 14 land claims have been settled under a National
Government policy framework which ensures that
iSimangaliso will be managed by the state in perpetuity as
a conservation area.
Protection and management – South Africa has solid
legislation that affords iSimangaliso the necessary legal
protection. Furthermore, the Park is managed by a dedicated
agency founded in South African law, the
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. The iSimangaliso
Authority has made significant progress in the past 10
years. Policies and plans have been formulated and systematically
implemented, monitored for effectiveness,
reviewed and adapted. A range of challenges that require
management and intervention remain; two critical issues
being the diminished hydrological functioning of the
Umfolozi River and the delivery of meaningful benefits to
communities. To meet the many and varied challenges the
iSimangaliso Authority has developed and consulted its
Integrated Management Plan. This updated five year plan
will guide the on-going protection and development of
iSimangaliso, ensuring its integrity and the values for
which it was originally inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Dedicated programmes aimed at enhancing the hydrological
functioning of the Umfolozi River and implementing
the iSimangaliso People and Parks' programme have been
put in place. In addition, WH listing helped prevent further
proposals to mine Titanium in the sand dunes and other
industrial activities which would have negatively impacted
the area.
Dear Minister of Tourism,
I am writing this letter on behalf of myself and other holiday-makers (Tourists) to Sodwana Bay which falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu Natal. I hope you find the contents to be constructive and positive, rather than being negative and criticism.
I really appreciate the efforts by Government; Department of Environmental Affairs as well as Department of Tourism via Statutory body: iSimangaliso Wetland Park for their great initiative to protect our coastline for Generations to come.
Since the early 1970's my Parents came to Sodwana Bay for holidays. This tradition grew on to the new generation which is me. I am 36 years old and I have been coming to Sodwana Bay almost every year since I was born. In 2007 after having some bad experiences in the campsite (theft) and knowing that I would soon start a family, I started seeking alternative accommodation. I bought a piece of property in 2007 outside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park were my wife and children will be comfortable without the difficulty of camping. I could also bring my pets along over a long December holiday.
I am a keen off-shore fisherman who spends long hours on the ocean and therefore would like my family to also be happy and to enjoy the stay at Sodwana Bay. I have tagged and released a number of Billfish from Sodwana Bay and some Black Marlin has been Satellite Tagged off Sodwana Bay by some of my fisherman-friends and family earlier this year. The Sattelite Tags are still on the fish and the information will be received after the Tags have popped up to the surface 180 days after it has been deployed. This information will be the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean and we will have a better understanding of the migration patterns of the Black Marlin that roam our waters.
Unfortunately I have two difficulties to enjoy Sodwana Bay the way I was use to…
The first one being: THE ACCESS GATE OF iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK
The problem is that they are only using one Computer to grant Entrance & Exit into the Park. This causes an extremely long queue during peak holiday seasons. Due to this, one sometimes has to wait for more than 3 hours in the queue to gain access to the beach. For a mother with a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old girl this is not easy.
Due to this, my friends who joined me last year will not be coming to Sodwana Bay this year. "You can't call this a holiday". It is also interesting to note that at the time the Google Earth Street View Camera Crew approached the Gate there was a queue… See below.
Can iSimangaliso please do something about this?
For example getting three or more Computers…
A better, more user-friendly system?
The second difficulty I have: TO OBTAIN A BEACH PERMIT
Last year December (2011) I couldn't help feeling like a Guinea pig. At thirst the Public was told to obtain a Beach Permit from the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Offices from four in the afternoon. This caused huge problems as there were not sufficient parking and there were way more people looking for Beach Permits than the 200 issued. See Hello Peter Complaint below. After noting that this caused major problems, iSimangaliso Staff changed the arrangements that Permits would be issued in the mornings. This caused me to wake up every morning at 3:30 to ensure a Beach Permit. I parked in the queue and it would take approximately an hour and a half to issue the 100 permits to the Residents staying outside the Park from the time the iSimangaliso Staff arrives. So from 3:30 am to 6:45 am, I have to stand in a queue to obtain a beach permit for my wife and children. Charter boats launch at 6:00 am, so the other fisherman were waiting for me on the beach. The reason I so desperately want a Beach Permit is for my wife to be able to drive onto the beach with all the necessary items such as: a Gazebo, a Cooler Box, Toys, Towels, etc. If she had to park at the top it would be impossible to carry two children and the other necessities… At some stage there were rumours regarding a shuttle service to at least transport people and their necessities to and from the beach to which I have not noticed anything.
In December 2010 the arrangement regarding Beach Permits was a little better in the way that it was issued at the gate which gives access to the beach. If a vehicle returned from the beach another vehicle could gain access and in this way at least give more people the opportunity to visit the beach with their vehicles. I cannot understand the logic of issuing 200 Beach Permits only to 200 vehicles (in December 2011) knowing that there are more than 1000 people looking for permits. At least a lot more Tourists will have the opportunity to access the beach with their vehicles if the logic of December 2010 was followed. The people who got Beach Permits have been awake since 3:30 am and will therefore maybe only arrive at 10:00 as they might have gone back to bed at 7:00 am. During this time other Tourist might have had the opportunity to visit the beach.
If you combine the two problems that I have: queuing from 3:30 am to 7:00 for a Beach Permit and then again from 10:00 to 12:00 to gain access to the beach via iSimangaliso's "one Computer gate" (Total 5.5hrs) I can honestly not call this a holiday…
Can we (Tourists) at least know a.s.a.p. exactly what the arrangements will be in December 2012? If I at least know what I am in for, I still have the change to reconsider to go somewhere else than to iSimangaliso Authorities where I can have a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
Sodwana Bay has more than 300 Campsites, more than 30 Lodges, Guesthouses, Dive Operator's and lots of Private properties. Can iSimangaliso not share the 220km of Coastline a little more user friendly towards Tourists?
Have iSimangaliso done the necessary studies in terms of Tourism regarding Sodwana Bay? For example: How many people come to Sodwana Bay over December holidays? What will be done to accommodate this amount of Tourists? Who is the majority of Tourists? Are we considered Tourists or are we Guinea pigs? Is Sodwana Bay no longer for the people who use to come here for many years?
I am sure that International Tourist who has to endure this discomfort will not return. I can assure you at this stage that people who visited Sodwana Bay in December 2011 will not agree as to iSimangaliso Wetland Park being a finalist for "Tourism for Tomorrow 2011" I witnessed Tourists cutting their holidays short and demanding refunds due to the lack of gaining access to the beach and for queuing long hours. As it is, there is no benefit to me as a Tourist to visit Sodwana Bay and nor to the Community as is mentioned below in the attachments.
One other concern is the way in which Tourists gets treated by Officials and by Alpha Security who man these gates. Information has not been made clear to Tourists in the past and caused many confrontations. Officials and the Security at Sodwana Bay are definitely not carrying out the Values of the Department of Tourism. See below (Bottom of page) "We will act with integrity by being accountable, showing respect and serving with honesty, respect and trustworthiness."
I would not agree at this stage as to what was said by yourself and Mr. Ndabo Khoza on the iSimangaliso Award Dinner on 18th May 2011. "It is an indication that the world recognises the efforts of government through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority in conserving iSimangaliso's environment and developing tourism for the benefit of communities and visitors." "CEO of KZN Tourism Authority, Mr Ndabo Khoza, says "iSimangaliso is an important provider of benefits to people in the region and a key KZN tourism attraction." "It is also a very strategic product for the area and will help them fulfil their mandate for economic development as it attracts more investors to the area which ultimately creates more jobs for people from surrounding areas."
I am sure that a lot less Tourists will visit Sodwana Bay during December 2012 due to these difficulties and therefore not contribute to the local economy as is potentially possible. Tourists might seek alternatives like Mozambique which will hold no advantage to Tourism in South Africa.
Can we expect to see some quick solutions and actions regarding these difficulties to improve Tourism to Sodwana Bay?
I cannot wait for my children to be able to enjoy and share this Jewel (Sodwana Bay) the way I did. Or is it not to be shared?
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
0824953355
GOOGLE EARTH – STREET VIEW - iSIMANGALISO ENTRANCE GATE @ SODWANA BAY
HELLO PETER
EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE
iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - VALUES
RESPONSE RECEIVED UP TO THIS POINT AS at 3 September 2012
DEAR COLLEAGUES
MAY YOU PLEASE RESPOND TO THE EMAIL BELOW
regards
Nomxolisi Matyana
Chief of Staff: Office of the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
Private Bag X313
Pretoria
0001
012 336 8504 (tel)
012 3368311 (fax)
0826554126
Matyanan2@dwa.gov.za
From: Nelius.Smith [mailto:nelius.smith@gmail.com]
Sent: 24 August 2012 02:07 PM
To: Matyana Nomxolisi (KEY)
Cc: 'Nontuthuzelo Nqabeni'; 'Hannelie Theron'; 'Jay Singh'; 'Riaan Aucamp'; 'Sanet Pienaar'; 'Trevor Bloem'; 'Ministry Capetown'; 'Melene Rossouw'; mmayekiso@environment.gov.za; Madlala Ntombi; Moripe Nchedi; matyanaN2@dwaf.gov.za; andrew@iSimangaliso.com; apz@worldonline.com; debbie@isimangaliso.com; 'Sipho Mkhwanazi'; 'Duduzile Nkosi'
Subject: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism???
Dear Ms. Matyana,
Please see all correspondence below.
Is it possible for you to please confirm that the Department of Water & Environmental Affairs as well as Statutory body iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is paying attention to this urgent matter and when we can expect some feedback?
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
From: Nontuthuzelo Nqabeni [mailto:nnqabeni@tourism.gov.za]
Sent: 24 August 2012 12:41 PM
To: Ministry Capetown; Melene Rossouw; Nelius.Smith
Cc: Hannelie Theron; Jay Singh; Riaan Aucamp; Sanet Pienaar; Trevor Bloem
Subject: RE: FW: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism???
Dear Mr, Smith
Let me give you an email for the Head of Office for the Deputy Minister of Environment: MatyanaN2@dwa.gov.za. Ms. Matyana will give you the persons to respond to your letter.
Thanks
>>> "Nelius.Smith" <nelius.smith@gmail.com> 8/24/2012 11:32 AM >>>
Dear Ms Nqabeni,
Can you please send me the contact details and persons responsible at the DDG and the DEA who these letters where refer to and from who we can expect feedback?
I have also send the letter to the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Mr. SS Mkhwanazi- Manager, Tourism Development) – See below
He has forwarded my letter to the iSimangaliso CEO to which I have had no response yet.
Is it possible for you to please confirm with the DEA that iSimangaliso is paying attention to this urgent matter and when we can expect some feedback?
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sipho Mkhwanazi [mailto:MkhwanaziS@kznded.gov.za]
Sent: 22 August 2012 09:22 AM
To: andrew@iSimangaliso.com; apz@worldonline.com
Cc: debbie@isimangaliso.com; nelius.smith@gmail.com
Subject: FW: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism
Dear Andrew
Attached please find an email from Mr Smith who is a regular visitor of Isimangaliso for your attention and consideration. It would be appreciated if your office could liaise directly with Mr Smith once you have considered the issues at hand.
With kind regards
SS Mkhwanazi
DEDT –KZN
From: Nelius.Smith [mailto:nelius.smith@gmail.com]
Sent: 20 August 2012 09:06 PM
To: Sipho Mkhwanazi
Cc: Duduzile Nkosi
Subject: RE: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism
Dear Mr Mkhwanazi,
Thank you very much for the quick response. I have not send this to the CEO of iSimangaliso. I do not have any objections and hopefully he will understand my concern regarding tourism in the area.
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
From: Sipho Mkhwanazi [mailto:MkhwanaziS@kznded.gov.za]
Sent: 20 August 2012 04:48 PM
To: Nelius.Smith
Cc: Duduzile Nkosi
Subject: RE: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism
Dear Mr Smith
Thanks for your mail as well as the bold step you took of highlighting issues of concern that need to be addressed. Just checking has this been taken up with the Isimangaliso CEO and what was his response. If not, I will refer the matter to him for his attention and I hope you won't have any objections.
As you correctly put it, Isimangaliso falls within the National Department of environmental Affairs however as tourism custodian we do have interest on the developments at the site.
With kind regards
SS Mkhwanazi
DEDT
From: Nelius.Smith [mailto:nelius.smith@gmail.com]
Sent: 20 August 2012 03:55 PM
To: Sipho Mkhwanazi; Duduzile Nkosi
Subject: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism
Dear Sir/s
I wanted to bring the following to your attention: Please see below.
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
0824953355
From: Nelius.Smith [mailto:nelius.smith@gmail.com]
Sent: 17 August 2012 09:29 AM
To: ministry@tourism. gov. za (ministry@tourism.gov.za)
Cc: 'raucamp@tourism.gov.za'; 'spienaar@tourism.gov.za'; 'mrossouw@tourism.gov.za'; 'nnqabeni@tourism.gov.za'; 'tbloem@tourism.gov.za'; 'jsingh@tourism.gov.za'; 'htheron@tourism.gov.za'
Subject: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism
Dear Minister of Tourism,
I am writing this letter on behalf of myself and other holiday-makers (Tourists) to Sodwana Bay which falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu Natal. I hope you find the contents to be constructive and positive, rather than being negative and criticism.
I really appreciate the efforts by Government; Department of Environmental Affairs as well as Department of Tourism via Statutory body: iSimangaliso Wetland Park for their great initiative to protect our coastline for Generations to come.
Since the early 1970's my Parents came to Sodwana Bay for holidays. This tradition grew on to the new generation which is me. I am 36 years old and I have been coming to Sodwana Bay almost every year since I was born. In 2007 after having some bad experiences in the campsite (theft) and knowing that I would soon start a family, I started seeking alternative accommodation. I bought a piece of property in 2007 outside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park were my wife and children will be comfortable without the difficulty of camping. I could also bring my pets along over a long December holiday.
I am a keen off-shore fisherman who spends long hours on the ocean and therefore would like my family to also be happy and to enjoy the stay at Sodwana Bay. I have tagged and released a number of Billfish from Sodwana Bay and some Black Marlin has been Satellite Tagged off Sodwana Bay by some of my fisherman-friends and family earlier this year. The Sattelite Tags are still on the fish and the information will be received after the Tags have popped up to the surface 180 days after it has been deployed. This information will be the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean and we will have a better understanding of the migration patterns of the Black Marlin that roam our waters.
Unfortunately I have two difficulties to enjoy Sodwana Bay the way I was use to…
The first one being: THE ACCESS GATE OF iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK
The problem is that they are only using one Computer to grant Entrance & Exit into the Park. This causes an extremely long queue during peak holiday seasons. Due to this, one sometimes has to wait for more than 3 hours in the queue to gain access to the beach. For a mother with a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old girl this is not easy.
Due to this, my friends who joined me last year will not be coming to Sodwana Bay this year. "You can't call this a holiday". It is also interesting to note that at the time the Google Earth Street View Camera Crew approached the Gate there was a queue… See below.
Can iSimangaliso please do something about this?
For example getting three or more Computers…
A better, more user-friendly system?
The second difficulty I have: TO OBTAIN A BEACH PERMIT
Last year December (2011) I couldn't help feeling like a Guinea pig. At thirst the Public was told to obtain a Beach Permit from the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Offices from four in the afternoon. This caused huge problems as there were not sufficient parking and there were way more people looking for Beach Permits than the 200 issued. See Hello Peter Complaint below. After noting that this caused major problems, iSimangaliso Staff changed the arrangements that Permits would be issued in the mornings. This caused me to wake up every morning at 3:30 to ensure a Beach Permit. I parked in the queue and it would take approximately an hour and a half to issue the 100 permits to the Residents staying outside the Park from the time the iSimangaliso Staff arrives. So from 3:30 am to 6:45 am, I have to stand in a queue to obtain a beach permit for my wife and children. Charter boats launch at 6:00 am, so the other fisherman were waiting for me on the beach. The reason I so desperately want a Beach Permit is for my wife to be able to drive onto the beach with all the necessary items such as: a Gazebo, a Cooler Box, Toys, Towels, etc. If she had to park at the top it would be impossible to carry two children and the other necessities… At some stage there were rumours regarding a shuttle service to at least transport people and their necessities to and from the beach to which I have not noticed anything.
In December 2010 the arrangement regarding Beach Permits was a little better in the way that it was issued at the gate which gives access to the beach. If a vehicle returned from the beach another vehicle could gain access and in this way at least give more people the opportunity to visit the beach with their vehicles. I cannot understand the logic of issuing 200 Beach Permits only to 200 vehicles (in December 2011) knowing that there are more than 1000 people looking for permits. At least a lot more Tourists will have the opportunity to access the beach with their vehicles if the logic of December 2010 was followed. The people who got Beach Permits have been awake since 3:30 am and will therefore maybe only arrive at 10:00 as they might have gone back to bed at 7:00 am. During this time other Tourist might have had the opportunity to visit the beach.
If you combine the two problems that I have: queuing from 3:30 am to 7:00 for a Beach Permit and then again from 10:00 to 12:00 to gain access to the beach via iSimangaliso's "one Computer gate" (Total 5.5hrs) I can honestly not call this a holiday…
Can we (Tourists) at least know a.s.a.p. exactly what the arrangements will be in December 2012? If I at least know what I am in for, I still have the change to reconsider to go somewhere else than to iSimangaliso Authorities where I can have a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
Sodwana Bay has more than 300 Campsites, more than 30 Lodges, Guesthouses, Dive Operator's and lots of Private properties. Can iSimangaliso not share the 220km of Coastline a little more user friendly towards Tourists?
Have iSimangaliso done the necessary studies in terms of Tourism regarding Sodwana Bay? For example: How many people come to Sodwana Bay over December holidays? What will be done to accommodate this amount of Tourists? Who is the majority of Tourists? Are we considered Tourists or are we Guinea pigs? Is Sodwana Bay no longer for the people who use to come here for many years?
I am sure that International Tourist who has to endure this discomfort will not return. I can assure you at this stage that people who visited Sodwana Bay in December 2011 will not agree as to iSimangaliso Wetland Park being a finalist for "Tourism for Tomorrow 2011" I witnessed Tourists cutting their holidays short and demanding refunds due to the lack of gaining access to the beach and for queuing long hours. As it is, there is no benefit to me as a Tourist to visit Sodwana Bay and nor to the Community as is mentioned below in the attachments.
One other concern is the way in which Tourists gets treated by Officials and by Alpha Security who man these gates. Information has not been made clear to Tourists in the past and caused many confrontations. Officials and the Security at Sodwana Bay are definitely not carrying out the Values of the Department of Tourism. See below (Bottom of page) "We will act with integrity by being accountable, showing respect and serving with honesty, respect and trustworthiness."
I would not agree at this stage as to what was said by yourself and Mr. Ndabo Khoza on the iSimangaliso Award Dinner on 18th May 2011. "It is an indication that the world recognises the efforts of government through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority in conserving iSimangaliso's environment and developing tourism for the benefit of communities and visitors." "CEO of KZN Tourism Authority, Mr Ndabo Khoza, says "iSimangaliso is an important provider of benefits to people in the region and a key KZN tourism attraction." "It is also a very strategic product for the area and will help them fulfil their mandate for economic development as it attracts more investors to the area which ultimately creates more jobs for people from surrounding areas."
I am sure that a lot less Tourists will visit Sodwana Bay during December 2012 due to these difficulties and therefore not contribute to the local economy as is potentially possible. Tourists might seek alternatives like Mozambique which will hold no advantage to Tourism in South Africa.
Can we expect to see some quick solutions and actions regarding these difficulties to improve Tourism to Sodwana Bay?
I cannot wait for my children to be able to enjoy and share this Jewel (Sodwana Bay) the way I did. Or is it not to be shared?
Best Regards
Nelius Smith
0824953355
From: Nontuthuzelo Nqabeni [mailto:nnqabeni@tourism.gov.za]
Sent: 22 August 2012 02:59 PM
To: Ministry Capetown; Melene Rossouw; Louis Nell
Cc: Hannelie Theron; Jay Singh; Riaan Aucamp; Sanet Pienaar; Trevor Bloem
Subject: RE: FW: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism???
Dear Mr. Nell
I have also forwarded your email to the Department of Environmental Affairs and it has been referred to the DDG responsible for Parks. The DEA will get back to you.
Thanks
>>> "Nell, Louis" <Louis.Nell@fnb.co.za> 8/22/2012 1:17 PM >>>
Good Day Ms Russouw
Thank you for your response on Friday 17 August.
As the above subject and the contents of my email below refer, this matter is of utmost importance to me, my family and friends.
As yet I have not received any feedback beside your response and I am very worried that my email has not been dealt with or that the powers to be do not think of this as a matter of urgency…!
Please advice at your soonest convenience?
Kind Regards
Louis Nell
From: Melene Rossouw [mailto:mrossouw@tourism.gov.za]
Sent: 17 August 2012 01:55 PM
To: Nell, Louis; Ministry Capetown
Cc: Hannelie Theron; Jay Singh; Nontuthuzelo Nqabeni; Riaan Aucamp; Sanet Pienaar; Trevor Bloem
Subject: Re: FW: iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Tourism???
Dear Mr Nell
We take note of your email and will revert to you soonest.
Yours sincerely
Ms. Melene Rossouw
Director: Media Liaison
Ministry of Tourism
Republic of South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 465 7240
Fax: +27 (0) 21 465 3216
Cell: +27 (0) 82 753 7107
Email: mrossouw@tourism.gov.za
Website: www.tourism.gov.za
>>> "Nell, Louis" <Louis.Nell@fnb.co.za> 2012/08/17 13:36 PM >>>
Dear Minister of Tourism,
I am writing this letter on behalf of myself and other holiday-makers (Tourists) to Sodwana Bay which falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu Natal. I hope you find the contents to be constructive and positive, rather than being negative and criticism.
I really appreciate the efforts by Government; Department of Environmental Affairs as well as Department of Tourism via Statutory body: iSimangaliso Wetland Park for their great initiative to protect our coastline for Generations to come.
Since the early 1968's my Parents and their parents came to Sodwana Bay for holidays. This tradition grew on to the new generation which is me. I am 35 years old and I have been coming to Sodwana Bay almost every year since I was born. We always used the campsite accommodation and had memorable experiences!!!
This however changed in December 2007 when upon our arrival at the campsite we noticed that the border fencing was totally flattened. This was reported at the offices and we where assured that we had not to worry about this as safety guards where allocated to those arias for patrol. From the 27th of December that year some of the holiday makers staying in the camp site experienced the effect of crime including our site as swell!!!
This forced me to seek alternative accommodation outside the campsite.
I am a keen off-shore fisherman who spends long hours on the ocean and therefore would like my family to also be happy and to enjoy the stay at Sodwana Bay. I have tagged and released a number of Billfish from Sodwana Bay and some Black Marlin has been Satellite Tagged off Sodwana Bay by some of my fisherman-friends and family earlier this year. The Sattelite Tags are still on the fish and the information will be received after the Tags have popped up to the surface 180 days after it has been deployed. This information will be the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean and we will have a better understanding of the migration patterns of the Black Marlin that roam our waters.
Unfortunately I have two difficulties to enjoy Sodwana Bay the way I was use to…
The first one being: THE ACCESS GATE OF iSIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK
The problem is that they are only using one Computer to grant Entrance & Exit into the Park. This causes an extremely long queue during peak holiday seasons. Due to this, one sometimes has to wait for more than 3 hours in the queue to gain access to the beach. For a mother with a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old girl this is not easy.
Due to this, my friends and family who joined me last year will not be coming to Sodwana Bay this year. "You can't call this a holiday". It is also interesting to note that at the time the Google Earth Street View Camera Crew approached the Gate there was a queue… See below.
Can iSimangaliso please do something about this PLEASE?
For example getting three or more Computers…
A better, more user-friendly system?
The second difficulty I have: TO OBTAIN A BEACH PERMIT
Last year December (2011) I couldn't help feeling like a Guinea pig. At first the Public was told to obtain a Beach Permit from the Ezemvelo KZNWildlife Offices from four in the afternoon. This caused huge problems as there were not sufficient parking and there were way more people looking for Beach Permits than the 200 issued. See Hello Peter Complaint below. This caused major problems and then iSimangaliso Staff changed the arrangements that Permits would be issued in the mornings.
This however caused me to wake up every morning at 3:30 to ensure a Beach Permit. (remember this is what I must now do on my annual holiday….) I parked in the queue and it would take approximately an hour and a half to issue the 100 permits to the Residents staying outside the Park from the time the iSimangaliso Staff arrives. So from 3:30 am to 6:45 am, I have to stand in a queue to obtain a beach permit for my wife and children. Charter boats launch at 6:00 am, so the other fisherman were waiting for me on the beach. The reason I so desperately want a Beach Permit is for my wife to be able to drive onto the beach with all the necessary items such as: a Gazebo, Toys for the kids and Towels etc. This is what we've always done and never was any damage done! If she had to park at the top it would be impossible to carry the children and the other necessities…
In December 2010 the arrangement regarding Beach Permits was a little better in the way that it was issued at the gate which gives access to the beach. If a vehicle returned from the beach another vehicle could gain access and in this way at least give more people the opportunity to visit the beach with their vehicles. I cannot understand the logic of issuing 200 Beach Permits only to 200 vehicles (in December 2011) knowing that there are more than 1000 people looking for permits. At least a lot more Tourists will have the opportunity to access the beach with their vehicles if the logic of December 2010 was followed. The people who got Beach Permits have been awake since 3:30 am and will therefore maybe only arrive at 10:00 as they might have gone back to bed at 7:00 am. During this time other Tourist might have had the opportunity to visit the beach.
If you combine the two problems that I have: queuing from 3:30 am to 7:00 for a Beach Permit and then again from 10:00 to 12:00 to gain access to the beach via iSimangaliso's "one Computer gate" (Total 5.5hrs) I can honestly not call this a holiday…!
Can we (Tourists) at least know a.s.a.p. exactly what the arrangements will be in December 2012? If I at least know what I am in for, I still have the change to reconsider to go somewhere else than to iSimangaliso Authorities where I can have a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
Sodwana Bay has more than 300 Campsites, more than 30 Lodges, Guesthouses, Dive Operator's and lots of Private properties. Can iSimangaliso not share the 220km of Coastline a little more user friendly towards Tourists?
Have iSimangaliso done the necessary studies in terms of Tourism regarding Sodwana Bay? For example: How many people come to Sodwana Bay over December holidays? What will be done to accommodate this amount of Tourists? Who is the majority of Tourists? Are we considered Tourists or are we Guinea pigs? Is Sodwana Bay no longer for the people who use to come here for many years?
I am sure that International Tourist who has to endure this discomfort will not return. I can assure you at this stage that people who visited Sodwana Bay in December 2011 will not agree as to iSimangaliso Wetland Park being a finalist for "Tourism for Tomorrow 2011" I witnessed Tourists cutting their holidays short and demanding refunds due to the lack of gaining access to the beach and for queuing long hours. As it is, there is no benefit to me as a Tourist to visit Sodwana Bay and nor to the Community as is mentioned below in the attachments.
One other concern is the way in which Tourists gets treated by Officials and by Alpha Security who man these gates. Information has not been made clear to Tourists in the past and caused many confrontations. Officials and the Security at Sodwana Bay are definitely not carrying out the Values of the Department of Tourism. See below (Bottom of page) "We will act with integrity by being accountable, showing respect and serving with honesty, respect and trustworthiness."
I would not agree at this stage as to what was said by yourself and Mr. Ndabo Khoza on the iSimangaliso Award Dinner on 18th May 2011. "It is an indication that the world recognises the efforts of government through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority in conserving iSimangaliso's environment and developing tourism for the benefit of communities and visitors." "CEO of KZN Tourism Authority, Mr Ndabo Khoza, says "iSimangaliso is an important provider of benefits to people in the region and a key KZN tourism attraction." "It is also a very strategic product for the area and will help them fulfil their mandate for economic development as it attracts more investors to the area which ultimately creates more jobs for people from surrounding areas."
I am sure that a lot less Tourists will visit Sodwana Bay during December 2012 due to these difficulties and therefore not contribute to the local economy as is potentially possible. Tourists might seek alternatives like Mozambique which will hold no advantage to Tourism in South Africa.
Can we expect to see some quick solutions and actions regarding these difficulties to improve Tourism to Sodwana Bay?
I cannot wait for my children to be able to enjoy and share this Jewel (Sodwana Bay) the way I did. Or is it not to be shared?
Kind Regards
Louis Nell
083 288 2434
Ps: I am also a Gold Rhino Card member.
