Gwe Gwe - The most expensive lodge on the Wild Coast

[@islandgardenfeatures4846]

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 .

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thanks for the encouragement. Mkambati is a special place indeed. We’ll definitely track this story… it’s got a long way to go.

[@LynnMostert]

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.

[@mamadeebuildsahouse]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

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.

[@subzeromidnight5388]

Im with u mama dee. We should developbit before whites take it. I know they are drooling to take that land

[@cameronmurie]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

I also hope it is a great success. But I also hope that the rest of the Transkei remains inexpensive, accessible and free.

[@thejoyinstitute8127]

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

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you! Yes, time will tell whether the money leads to a better future. I hope it does.

[@AllanHein-d3i]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Definitely! There is still much more to this story and I hope to get all sides. Thanks for the input.

[@ceciliasaayman6244]

A very good and informative video. Thank you. CapeTow

[@BorisRivett]

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

[@Transkei_Stories]

Thank you! We will definitely do more on this subject and will definitely get the landowner’s perspective. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@gabrielhorowitz7882]

To me it sounds like the disagreement comes from different understandings of what it means to exploit valuable places

[@Transkei_Stories]

Absolutely!

[@ceciliasaayman6244]

Wise words from you at the end, Ben. Have subscibed today.

[@charlesmanning2266]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Exactly! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

[@samanthahorowitz3039]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Yep, it’s hard to take sides in this debate. I hope it all lives up to expectation. I agree… R300 is VERY expensive!

[@markstuart-howie5242]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

👍🏼

[@LuthandoMhatu]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

You are right! There is a lot to do. Let’s just try do it!!! Thanks for the kind words. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@LuthandoMhatu]

@@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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

Don’t lose hope my friend. Keep pushing. I hope life improves for your community. 😢

[@adolfjoubert1995]

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..,

[@Transkei_Stories]

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.

[@MichaelMulheran]

@@Transkei_Stories What a jackass racist statement Adolf "bees"! They are humans. Human beings, I find Ben's stories on this Gwe Gew development very bias. Sinegugu is now recognized as a environmental international award winner, Ben you need to listen to Sin 100%, this model is a disaster, we (the World) dont need to wait and see. It is horrific. I feel sad for your extremely myopic point of view, Ben! This is a new sad African story. Listen and heed the sound expertise opinion of Sir Sinegugu Zukulu. I find it is an extreme luxury that I have been able to enjoy the whole end to end of the Wild Coast of the EC in SA and Ben I imagine you are a native So Africa and you know better than to take a unconscionable risk in your support of this Gwe Gwe development. I will never ever go there nor of course spend my money there and I will tell my friends as well. And let them know that there are nicer places in town, like Lusikisiki and PSJ rather than bourgeoisie Gwe Gwe. I am disgusted by this report. Sincerely, Michael D Mulheran of Hampton Virginia USA, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, The Wharton School of Business, class of 1989. A White American tourist of SA since 1996. My travel preferences in Africa, the whole of the EC (no. 1, nose to tail now 'cept Gwe Gwe, Durban (no. 2), Jo'berg/Pretoria (no. 3) 😪 www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/sinegugu-zukulu-nonhle-mbuthuma/

[@fiduncsiainstu]

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!

[@Transkei_Stories]

I’m sure you mean R100. I agree… it’s VERY expensive.

[@martinlowry3294]

Heartbreaking for us oldies 😢 But time waits for no man

[@Transkei_Stories]

It is, but there are still many untouched places on the wild coast to visit. Better go before it all changes. 🤣🤣🤣

[@martinlowry3294]

My dad prediction. Will be a pile of broken bricks and rubble within two years of opening.

[@martinlowry3294]

Sorry Sad. ex Bizana Boy. 1950s

[@Transkei_Stories]

@@martinlowry3294 I don't think so... I'm sure it will be well maintained. It's just going to be VERY expensive!

[@dondacurator]

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

[@Transkei_Stories]

My hope is that everyone comes out of this winning.

[@dondacurator]

@@Transkei_Stories we all do

[@childofthesoil1163]

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 .

[@Transkei_Stories]

I know what you mean, and I know a lot of people would agree with you. 😢

[@LynnMostert]

What does the community want? How can one community decide on behalf of another!

[@kathyleverton5631]

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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

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. 😢

[@kathyleverton5631]

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?

[@Transkei_Stories]

@@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.

[@kathyleverton5631]

@@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.

[@Transkei_Stories]

@@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.

[@awaywithword]

Leave the Kei as it is please..

[@Transkei_Stories]

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?

[@influencedbyyoga_studio]

But the Amapondo people have lived on this land for generations with no damage to environment(?) When those with deep pocket come in and want to place a monetary value to nature is just crazy. What $€£R amount is enough? Capitalists!!! They live a rat race kind of a life in different parts of the world and want their escape in places like these, and then take away the unique, peaceful life of people who know nothing about their world. So sad.

[@belindavandyk6128]

WHO OWNS THIS

[@Transkei_Stories]

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.

[@crispinswainstonharrison9042]

Why didn’t he interview Colin bell ?

[@Transkei_Stories]

@@crispinswainstonharrison9042I spoke to Colin. He was not available for interview. He is represented perfectly well by Keith .

[@msimelelonkomonye2036]

Eastern Cape Tourism hates locals with passion. They'll give the business opportunities in the Wild Coast to anyone as long a engengowakulalali. NaseMbhashe Municipality all the coastal land is reserved for the rich outsiders