Racial tensions are on the boil in the tourist hamlet of Hartbeespoort Dam, where black residents and business owners claim they are at the receiving end of discrimination and threats by their white neighbours.
In the latest racially charged incident, a white man has been found guilty by the Brits Magistrate’s Court for pointing a gun at his black neighbour during a long-running territorial dispute.
Hartbeespoort, which is built around a dam named after the town, is a popular tourist destination and a playground for the rich who have built mansions, established gated communities and set up business mainly at the exclusion of black South Africans. But the image of the North West ‘s small paradise has been dented by long simmering racial tensions which are coming to the boil.
Hartley Ngoato, the owner of Legacy Resort, says life hasn’t been easy there. He said white people are denying blacks the opportunity to buy land and operate businesses in the area, particularly along the shoreline.
Ngoato’s plight comes a month after the Bubbles Resort, owned by black businessman Thabiso Mathibedi, was set on fire, allegedly by white community members who had allegedly said they did not want to share space with blacks.
Mathibedi was the first black person to occupy the space and own a guesthouse along the dam shores.
Speaking to Sunday World, Ngoato, who became the second black person to own a business along the shoreline in 2018, says the war at Hartbeespoort Dam was more than just a racial conflict. “It is an economic class war.
“I do not understand why so many white people are so opposed to black land occupation because it is not their land. They came together and grouped themselves to raise funds and oppose the black land occupation,” he said.
Ngoato said white people have illegally occupied a large portion of government land in Hartbeespoort Dam (Harties), and the government was quiet about it. The snake park is on government land but the owner says he is the only person who has the economic rights to the dam. There is a company that has a title deed for the bridge where people take pictures in Harties. Government land has been stolen,” said Ngoato.
He said the dam only benefits white communities, particularly the farmers.
“Water goes to white farms, free water, free soil, free sun; the only cost is seed and labour. The government must stop being ignorant; there are many instances where information has come to light and they just ignore it.
“We have seen reputable estate agents selling government land, as if they are not aware, to unsuspecting clients. A lot of them have managed to change title deeds into their names but it’s stolen land,” he said.
Ngoato was also a victim of racially motivated attack in the area. His neighbour, Ben Graham van der Sandt, was found guilty of pointing a firearm at Ngoato. This was after Ngoato wanted the overlapping tree that was damaging his property to be cut down.
Ngoato said before the tree incident, he had been fighting for a long time with his neighbour, who did not want rainwater to flow through his yard. He said the fight got to a point where Van der Sandt blocked the area where water passes with
concrete to prevent it from getting into his yard.
“I told him that he can’t stop rainwater coming from my yard going to his yard, but he got angry and waited for my next reaction. When I cut his tree that was protruding into my yard because it was damaging the roof of my Wendy house, he came out with a firearm.”
He said the incident has made black people in the area angry.
“There is a planned march towards the end of this month. People are now ready to come out to speak about the racism that they have experienced in and around Harties.
“Bubbles Resort was the first black-owned resort to open next to the shoreline. The owner has never had peace ever since, and I am the second one to own a resort on the shoreline, and I have never had peace ever since,” he said.
Van Der Sandt has promised to give his side of the story next week.
North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism
,Bitsa Lenkopane, has expressed deep concern over the recent violent incidents. “The matter has been reported to the police, and investigations are currently underway,” Lenkopane said.
Lenkopane affirmed that her department will continue collaborating with the Department of Community Safety and Transport to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for tourists.
“Roadblocks will be set up along the N4 and other major routes connecting North West to neighbouring provinces to enhance security measures.”
She called on those responsible for unlawful activities to be held accountable and urged all parties involved in the Hartbeespoort incidents to allow the law enforcement agencies to
investigate.
Lenkopane also emphasised the need for municipalities to strengthen by-laws and raise awareness of business regulations to ensure peaceful dispute resolution without resorting to violence.
She said the government has allocated nearly R70-million towards the area’s development, with plans to create a smart city featuring office parks, a five-star hotel, and other tourism-enhancing
infrastructure.
She said Madibeng Local Municipality, particularly Brits and Hartbeespoort Dam, has recorded the highest post-pandemic recovery rate in the province, at 65%.
“The area’s proximity to Gauteng’s Lanseria and OR Tambo International Airports offers North West a strategic advantage in attracting international tourists and revitalising tourism in the province.
“We cannot allow these violent incidents to derail our recovery efforts, especially during tourism month and as we approach the festive season,” said Lenkopane.
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