Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

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k) Difficulties with controlling access The vast number of paths that lead down into the proposed reserve could pose a problem to controlled reserve access. 4.4.2. Problems relating to tourism a) Obstacles to tourism • Lack of infrastructure: The lack of hotels in the area was mentioned as a problem, as was the lack of facilities such as toilets, which would be needed if tourists come to Shewula. • Lack of understanding and/or capacity to interact with tourists: People don't know what a tourist is or what tourists like. • Security problems: There is concern that tourists and their property, especially their cars, would be at risk. This is exacerbated by experiences of cattle raids and the fact that there are only two policemen stationed in Shewula. • Laws: There is a law that prohibits bottle stores in rural areas, which would make the sale of liquor to tourists a problem. • The foot and mouth fence: It is felt that the fence needs to be removed and that it could be moved to the border. Checking tourist's cars and buses is, however, perceived to be problematic because they would be 'interfered with', which is not good. Also, if tourists want to buy meat, this would be a problem if they were to 'try and take it back across the fence'. b) Negative impacts associated with tourist-community interactions The possibility of tourist behaviour that is disrespectful, disruptive and/or negative, was seen as a problem that would have negative repercussions for the community in a number of ways. Not only would this have a detrimental effect on the social fabric of the community, but the reaction of the general community against such behaviour would be so negative that it would deter further tourism in the area. Comments in this regard were particularly concerned with the development of prostitution. One woman commented that prostitution would result in the male members of the community 'going with their knobkerries to the lodge, to destroy everything.' She added that toun'sts must behave themselves because otherwise they will be in trouble.' The possibility of community behaviour that is negative and/or harmful to their image was raised, such as drunkenness (especially during Marula season). There was an understanding that this would discourage tourism to the area. c) Ignoring the disadvantages and/or the possibility of disappointment The lack of discussion about the disadvantages of the tourism development proposal was highlighted as questionable. This was followed by a comment on the possibility of disappointment (and disillusionment) resulting from unmet expectations and poor investments. This was illustrated by way of examples such as time and money being wasted on making crafts that tourists don't buy; or food going to waste because its not liked by tourists. 4.4.3. Problems relating to the proposed private operator There is a concern about signing a lease agreement with a private professional operator because of the uncertainty about exactly how the lodge operator will benefit,
and therefore how the benefits to the community would be determined and ensured. The need to monitor how money is generated and where it goes to, was identified. There is also uncertainty about how the rent to be charged would be determined, because if it is too little the operator 'reaps all the benefits', but if the rent is too much (i.e. 'more than the operator will receive 1 ) the operator would not be able to meet contractual obligations, such as rental. People also commented that if the latter situation were to develop, the operator would have to close down operations, and also that if there are no tourists, there will also be no rent coming from the operator. 4.4.4. Problems relating to the project planning process and the initial stages of the tourism development a) Lack of communication and/or consultation with the community There is a sense of dissatisfaction that members of the community were excluded from the initiative and the planning process: We shouldn't be left behind, because we're part and parcel of the community.' There are allegations that the Chief did not communicate his intentions to create the game reserve. However, this has been countered by the argument that very few people ever attend general meetings called by the Chief to discuss matters relating to the project. (Approximately 60-80 people out of a population of 10,000 attend such meetings). Some observers in the community noted that those who were against the idea boycotted such meetings, even if they did not understand exactly what the proposal was, but had just heard rumours. There is concern regarding community input into the Constitution of the Lubombo Conservancy. Some felt that the community should have been consulted during the process of drafting the constitution, and that their comments were 'futile at this stage' (i.e. during the research period), since the process is already complete. (However, it should be noted that Trevor Sandwith, who drew up the first draft of the constitution, has conducted several workshops with l&APs, including leaders of the Shewula community, to identify what should be written into the constitution. Numerous meetings have also been held at the Chiefs kraal to discuss the matter.) 84 b) Lack of communication and/or consultation with other authorities There is concern that the initiative has been planned without the necessary authority and/or consultation with the relevant bodies. For example, one person expressed concern that 'we are abusing the King's authority, going there without consulting the LSDI'. (This comment raises the need to clarify the exact nature of relationships between the different role-players in the area, especially in terms of the power relations and co-operation between the various initiatives and institutions that do and could have a role to play in the area and the region.) 4.4.5. Problems relating to the Conservancy There is a perception in the community that having no boundaries between properties and/or no fences, means that the land is being taken away, and in the case of game reserves such action is associated particularly with white people. The incorporation of Shewula land into the Conservancy is therefore seen as a threat. 84 Trevor Sandwith, pers. comm.
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A Feasibility Study of the Proposed
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would
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2.3. Biophysical Context ..........
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6.1.4. Conclusions ................
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Box 9.1 Figure 6.1. Consideration o
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
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Executive Summary INTRODUCTION The
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Executive Summary The findings of t
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Executive Summary Positive aspects:
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Executive Summary • Tourism input
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Chapter 1 - Introduction This chapt
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1.2. Des
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Chapter 1 - Introduction Objective
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Chapter 1 - Introduction It has bec
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Chapter 1 - Introduction • Local
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Chapter 1 - Introduction Sustainabl
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.4.2.2. G
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Page 51 and 52: inevitably lost. In some instances,
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Page 67 and 68: parks and reserves. As SNTC oversee
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Chapter 5 - Environmental Evaluatio
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Chapter 5 - Environmental Evaluatio
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Chapter 6 - Tourism, Marketing and
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The following model was formulated
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions 7.1. INTROD
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions 7.1.3.2. Po
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions and well-be
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Chapter 8 • Recommendations shoul
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Chapter 8 - Recommendations 8.2.4.
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward proposa
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward Notes o
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward communi
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References Obua, J. 1997: The Poten
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The four questions that the study t
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3. Requirements The resources that
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Outreach programme at Mlawula could
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If the tourism development site wer
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Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

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