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EZEMVELO KWAZULU-NATAL WILDLIFE
MEDIA RELEASE No: 2008 - 03
17 March 2008



KZN WILDLIFE CLOSES DIDIMA
For immediate release
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has decided to close the Didima camp in the Cathedral Peak area of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site from 18 -25 March 2008 due to the ongoing unrest amongst the two communities along the route to the Camp.
"Although these communities have indicated that they have no interest in the tourists who use the route, we are nevertheless concerned that the ongoing tension might involve tourists moving along the road through the community area," said Mr Khulani Mkhize, EKZNW CEO.
"The safety of our visitors is not negotiable and closing Didima at this time is purely a precautionary measure in case there is an escalation of violence that could spill over into the Park," he added.
"Our reservations staff are contacting people who have confirmed bookings at Didima during the affected period and we are doing our utmost to place these folk in alternative accommodation," said Mr Mkhize.
"This conflict comes at one of our busiest times when most of our accommodation facilities are fully booked, so closing the Didima Camp is not going to be a popular decision," addded Mr Mkhize.
"We have a responsibility to our guests and we will do our best to ensure their safety while trying to ensure that their holidays are not spoilt by this dispute," he added.
Didima is scheduled to re-open on 26 March 2008 unless the situation in the area remains volatile in which case EKZNW will re-assess the opening date.
Visitors with confirmed bookings for Didima camp from 18 - 25 March and who have not been contacted with regard to the provision of alternative accommodation may contact the following senior staff during office hours:
The Hospitality Manager at Didima Camp - 036 488 1332
The Regional Ecotourism Manager - 084 556 9198
The Executive Director of Commercial Operations - 033 845 1515



AJG/ Media Release No: 2008 - 03
Media:
For further information contact the Media Manager on 033 845 1235; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax 033 845 1299.

Latest news in, this excerpt from the East Coast Radio website:

It’s news that comes as a relief to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The tense standoff between rival communities along the only route leading to the Didima Camp, has ended…

Mediation efforts by local government have resulted in a peace accord being reached.

Ezemvelo’s Jeff Gaisford says this means the Didima camp has been re-opened with immediate effect.

“EKZNW staff at Didima Camp who were instructed by their community leaders to remain at home, have returned to work and are currently getting the Camp up and running once more,” said spokesman Jeff Gaisford.

“Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff will contact all people who had confirmed bookings at Didima Camp and who could not be accommodated elsewhere, to request them to reinstate their bookings.

“EKZNW would like to thank the provincial Cabinet and the leadership of the affected communities for resolving the situation and regrets any inconvenience to members of the public caused by the closure of Didima Camp,” he said.

Good news for those wanting to spend their easter weekend in our neck of the woods!

Just come back from Cathedral. I don't imagine that the tension it completely gone, but we didn't encounter any problems on the road.

Thanks for the Didima info, very helpful.
Is this a once-off or a disturbing trend in that area?

Hey Harry. The camp has been re-opened, but some security risk apparently still flares up from time to time... Although it does not, or should not, affect the people within the Ezemvelo protected area, the tensions evist between two groups along the road near the entrance. It has been a long and bitter feud which has been raging under the surface, but came to a head shortly before the easter weekend, forcing the closure. As a result of the closure of the camp, and the police presence along the road, high level negotiations were put into place and have apparently resolved the issues. One never knows unfortunately.

I guess it is safe to say that you are probably safer on this road, than most roads in say, Jhb, CT and Dbn! Although, your timing may be wrong.

I will shortly be doing an article for the site on the moved campsite at Cathedral and the proposed moving of the day visitor site and why... Stay tuned! It should make an interesting read!

I should perhaps say that we did have problems on that road 2 weeks back: we came very close to hitting a cop car that was on our side of the road as we came around a corner! Also some potholes are becoming rather evil, either almost taking up the width of the road or waiting in ambush when you come around a corner.


I dont imagine that this is the end of the trouble though it has now been mediated by government officials even, see this statement. I know that extra policemen have been staying in Winterton for some time and my understanding is that they are there because of the problems.

Some other info I've read on the net is that this conflict started in 1989 already! It's between the Magangangozi and Mhlwazini communities. My guess it that it's in the general area of the store at Brotherton, where the Mhlwazini river joins the Mlambonja. The Magangangozi clan have apparently been building houses on land belonging to the Mhlwazini clan.

Five people have been killed since January and more violence erupted just before Easter resulting in 20 houses being burned down, people were injured and an employee working at Didima lost his life.

I'm confident that they mean no harm to the tourists as far as this conflict is concerned. The Cathedral Peak Hotel did not close over this period. One can never be assured of safety though should there be violence along the road, so best to be cautious.

I'm sure though that members of these communities are working with the Basutho dagga smugglers and have also been responsible for the long-standing theft problems at the Cathedral Peak campsite. Both activities take place in this area.