EASTERN CAPE – The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site and one of the Eastern Cape’s most important tourism destinations, is set to remain closed until the end of December following devastating floods that damaged roads and cut off communities throughout the Baviaanskloof region.
As a result, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding urgent oversight of the Baviaanskloof region following the recent flooding, which has devastated roads and cut off communities.
According to Dr Vicky Knoetze, Member of the Provincial Legislature and DA Leader of the Official Opposition in the Eastern Cape Legislature, guests with bookings at the reserve are being informed that it will remain closed until the end of December this year due to road damage.
“The closure places one of the Eastern Cape’s most important nature-based tourism destinations out of reach during a critical period for the local tourism economy,” said Knoetze.
She said the reserve is an anchor attraction for accommodation establishments, tour operators, restaurants, farm stalls, fuel stations, suppliers, and workers in the surrounding area.
Knoetze said when access to the reserve collapses, the damage spreads through the local economy.
“Bookings are cancelled, visitors are rerouted elsewhere, small businesses lose income, and workers face reduced shifts or possible retrenchment,” said Knoetze.
She said she had written to the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism MEC, Nonkqubela Pieters, to request a joint oversight inspection by her department, along with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency and the Department of Transport.
Knoetze said the inspection would assess the condition of the affected roads, the impact of the closure on tourism businesses, and the steps required to reopen the reserve safely.
She added she had also requested that local tourism organisations and affected private operators be included.
“The oversight must assess the condition of the affected roads, the impact on communities that have been cut off, the damage to local tourism businesses, and the steps required to restore safe access to the reserve,” said Knoetze.
She said the May floods caused severe damage across the Baviaanskloof, with roads, bridges, and access routes damaged or washed away.
Knoetze said further heavy rains in June again affected access, including the R332 into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve.
She said the immediate priority must be to reconnect affected communities, restore safe access, and protect the tourism economy that depends on visitors’ ability to reach the area.
“Provincial government must urgently clarify which sections of road and access infrastructure have been damaged, what emergency repair work is underway, which authorities are responsible, what support is being provided to cut-off communities, and when safe access to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve is expected to be restored,” said Knoetze.
She said the Baviaanskloof should be one of the Eastern Cape’s strongest rural tourism assets, but instead poor access is threatening the businesses and workers who rely on it.
ALSO READ: SANParks delivers emergency water to storm-affected communities
