The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, was joined by the Northern Cape MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, to hand over a donation of 100 bulk packs of non-perishable foods and blankets to bring some relief to the community of Riemvasmaak on Mandela Day.
THE MINISTER of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, was joined by the Northern Cape MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, to hand over a donation of 100 bulk packs of non-perishable foods and blankets to bring some relief to the community of Riemvasmaak on Mandela Day.
De Lille visited Riemvasmaak in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality in the Northern Cape as part of Mandela Day activities.
The community was part of the early 1970s forced removals by the apartheid government. Around 1,500 people were divided into three groups according to their racial classification and sent to either Welcome Wood in the Ciskei, Khorixas in northern Namibia or the nearby towns of Marchand, Augrabies and Keimoes.
In 1994 the new democratic government returned the land to its original residents.
That year, 75,000 hectares of land was returned to the people of Riemvasmaak as part of the first land restitution project announced by the then State President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
Roostebrood making & shopping at the Market Tree at the Kgalagadi National Park where Khomani San crafters are selling their beautiful crafts.
Support local tourism. Sign up for deals as part of the Sho't Left campaign in Sept & see all the beauty SA has to offer. pic.twitter.com/7aWsFF9SyR— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 20, 2023
During her visit this week, De Lille elaborated that the claim was first lodged with the Advisory Commission on Land Allocation (ACLA) in 1992, just two years before the dawn of the democratically-elected government in April 1994.
“On 11 February 1994, the ACLA recommended that the land known as the Riemvasmaak Reserve be restored to the community and President Nelson Mandela accepted and approved the land restitution claim,” said De Lille.
“Riemvasmaak is 75,000 hectares of sheer mountain desert wilderness, located between the Orange and the dry Molopo rivers, approximately 57km from Kakamas and 170km from the Nakop Border Post with Namibia. The town is managed by a Riemvasmaak Board of Trustees, who realised that one way to make Riemvasmaak sustainable is through enhanced tourism development.”
A number of projects are currently under way to develop the tourism offering in this area, which are already bringing benefits to the community.
However, the community is still confronted with high levels of poverty and unemployment, thus the department assisted with the donation of non-perishable food and blankets.
“As Tata Madiba said: ‘Freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs.’ We hope that the donation will bring comfort to the community and we will continue to work with them to develop tourism projects in the area to enable sustainable economic growth for the community of Riemvasmaak,” said De Lille.
She acknowledged that the provincial Department of Tourism is working with the community to develop various tourism projects.
“One of the projects is a community-owned tourism facility where the Northern Cape Department of Tourism improved holiday chalets to the value of R649,000. The Riemvasmaak Trust is a partner on this project, which has also created several job opportunities for community members.
“The upgrade of the chalets has improved the comfort and experience of the guests, which ultimately increases guest satisfaction. This also ensures that guests return as facilities are more appealing and ultimately will lead to increased visitor numbers and income.”
Accommodation at the Riemvasmaak hot springs is available in comfortable eight-bed or four-bed chalets, all blending into their rocky background with spectacular views over the Riemvasmaak granite canyon. Each chalet has a kitchenette, toilet, shower, washbasin and braai area.
Visitors are now able to relax in the natural wonder of these therapeutic waters. Cliff faces surround the springs, towering 80 metres over those that are delighting in the warmth of the waters below.
Two swimming pools have also been constructed at the springs.
More jobs were created with the purchasing of new furniture for the chalets, artwork bought from local artists, building of ablution facilities for the day visitors and camping ground, replacement of the electricity line, replacing of the roof for the lapa at the hot springs, office equipment, two-way radios and wi-fi installation.
In addition, six young people were trained in massage therapy at the Central University of Technology with all six of the recruits passing the course with distinction. They all received a massage bed and products.
Future plans for the community include the redevelopment of the recreational area and the establishment of a day spa at the hot springs. Conceptual designs have been started for this project by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
“As the national Department of Tourism, we are working closely with the provincial department and the Northern Cape Tourism Authority on various projects and we will continue to support tourism development for all areas of the Northern Cape as one of the most unique and awe-inspiring holiday destinations in our country,” said De Lille.
“It is in our hands and we must take hands and work closer with communities to bring about economic development that will truly free all our people from poverty and hunger.
“Mandela’s life and sacrifices should be a reminder and motivator to all of us each day to serve with humility and help bring progress in any way we can to ensure all people in South Africa taste the fruits of our democracy.”
