RAT Weekend in Hazeyview, Mpumalanga, 8 - 10th June

[Rocky]

Very, very nice, and the food looks yummy

 

[avion]

great pics dave! sounds like you guys had a great weekend, must have a chat over breakfast.

me laptops knackered, having to use the phone at the mo.

 

[DaveB]

Rioting in Pilgrim's Rest!

We rode past the historic mining town of Pilgrim's Rest early Saturday afternoon. I did notice that it looked quiet (the road goes past the town rather than through it) but I didn't see anything untoward.

Pics from a previous visit:







It was something of a shock therefore to stumble upon this:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/06/13/restless-pilgrim-s-rest

I'm incredulous!

 

[Gromit]

There's no work so they burn down the few places that do provide work. There's no housing so they strip the historical houses that are there. There's no education so they burn down what little of a school they have. I just can't be bothered anymore - in the words of Marie Antoinette: Let them eat cake :-(

 

[DaveM]

 

[CarlS]

There's no work so they burn down the few places that do provide work. There's no housing so they strip the historical houses that are there. There's no education so they burn down what little of a school they have. I just can't be bothered anymore - in the words of Marie Antoinette: Let them eat cake :-(

Gromit, I agree with you 100%.

 

[DaveB]

It appears that the plight of Pilgrim's Rest has declined rapidly:
http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Africa/Pilgrims-Rest-to-shut-down-20120705

This is nothing more than anarchic dictatorship at work in my view. I don't know if this can make any difference, but there is a petition set up:
http://www.turnitaround.co.za/petition/67/keep-pilgrims-rest-alive

 

[DaveM]

Disgusting I heard this one the news

 

[DaveM]

I picked this up from another forum

Theres a big debate on Wilddog abou this, looks like its all blown out of proportion.
read this.

a response on a news site: Please guys, I live in Pilgrim's and it is NOT closing down!!!! There is a definite shift in ownership of the shops but it is not closing down!!! New leases has been signed and yes, not everybody is happy, but the town is not DEAD!!! Do yourselves a favour and come visit us!!! Have a beer of a cup of coffee or even a ride on the donkeycart!!!! We are not going anywhere!!!! Be positive!!!!!!

So hy is net so bietjie in sy moer?

For what it's worth, a list of names of existing businesses and companies who have been awarded their tenders:

Belvedere Metal Crafts - JM Chaplin
Clewer General Store - Highwayman's Garage (Marius Brummer)
Mrs Mac's Shop - Matletle Construction and Projects
Highwayman's Garage - Mangwanyane Trading
Old Print Shop - Kensington BEE (PTY) LTD
Pilgrim's Pantry - Matletle Construction and Projects
Pilgrim's Place - Urizima 83 CC
Ponieskrantz Arts and Crafts - Silver Ruby Trading 1037 CC
Old Stables - Lorraine Swanepoel
Mona Cottage - Timbhulu Construction and Projects
Scott's Café - Mangwanyane Trading
Golf Course - Matletle Construction and Projects
The Daisy - Matletle Construction and Projects
The Iron Store - Shan Paton
The Leather Shop - Urizima 84 CC
The Vine - Timbhulu Construction and Projects
The Royal Liqour Store - Ligcabho Le'Africa Trading
Africa Silk - Nosibusiso Kock
Central Garage - NNA Gape Trading and Project
Caravan Park - Matletle Construction and Projects
Chaitows - Timbhulu Construction and Projects CC

and

and

These businesses have known for years that this current move was on the cards, but have chosen to ignore it.

When a project was launched about three years ago to revamp the town by Mpumalanga Dept of Arts, Crafts & Culture, there was a lot of antagonism from current owners who pay very little and benefit greatly from "tourist" prices, fearing that this would influence their leases. This much needed maintenance was shelved. Further, short sighted policies have made it impossible for informal traders to also grab a piece of the pie and this has killed the place as a tourist destination due to constant fighting, sometimes violent, between business owners and informal traders. For quite some time now, tour buses and organised tourism have avoided the place, resulting in the slow death currently witnessed. Even the local gold mine (TGME) wanted to contribute at one stage to uplift the town by reinstating the tram system around the town, but this was blocked by people fearing that this would hasten the renegotiation of leases.

You will probably find that those companies listed as having won tenders are still tied to existing tenants, so not much will probably change, except things will become even more expensive to cover new lease costs.

The bottom line is that a few people were subsidised heavily by the provincial government and what is happening now is a long overdue business decision by the province.

Pilgrims will not be overrun by the masses, as even RDP development there is off the cards due to dolomite formations making it impossible to provide housing or infrastructure.

This town will have to change drastically to regain its once famous status as a historical monument.

 

[DaveB]

It puts a very different perspective on the topic doesn't it?

Thanks for posting.

 

[DaveM]

Yes what the media does not tell us like normal