The DA today marched with Upington community members, organizations and other political parties to hand over a memorandum to Dawid Kruiper municipality, demanding that the legendary tourism attraction, known as “Sakkie se Arkie” is saved.
We were disappointed that the Mayor, Speaker and Municipal Manager conveniently opted not to avail themselves to receive the memorandum, leaving it to the Director of Corporate services and two councillors of the Mayoral Committee. We will not be deterred as we fight to secure Upington’s tourism industry.
“Sakkie se Arkie” is a tourism icon with an international reputation and is featured on tourism websites and TV inserts. It has been moored on the banks of the Orange River, at Olivierpark, for the past 25 years. It is the anchor tenant of the local tourism industry and offers birdwatching and sunset cruises, attracting visitors from near and far.
The DA supports the community position that the renowned tourism gem should be treasured and not trashed.
Yet the ANC majority Council of Dawid Kruiper Municipality persists with its narrow-minded approach to shut down this established tourism attraction that helped place Upington on the map.
The municipality drastically pushed up the lease costs. It opted for public tender, when it already had a valuable tenant for a quarter of a century. It has even gone so far as to become embroiled in a legal battle, that has now come to a very low blow for tourism, with an eviction order pending for “Sakkie se Arkie”.
Dawid Kruiper’s selective and misguided use of different means to award resorts to preferred recipients, is proving detrimental to tourist locations.
Last week, it hastily awarded the lease of another former award-winning attraction, “Die Eiland” by excluding many other viable applicants wanting a chance at presenting their proposals for this prime tourist location.
Due to the disregard of “Sakkie se Arkie” and the decay of public recreational facilities such as the Eiland, Reitzpark and Rosepark, we have added our voices to those of the community, insisting that the municipality saves “Sakkie se Arkie” by entering into private negotiations to ensure the survival of this tourist attraction.
We are also insisting upon public participation in respect of decisions being taken about Upington landmarks.
The role that tourism plays in generating revenue for Upington must be harnessed, not overlooked.