Drakensberg Cable Car

However, the proposal has been declared economically unfeasible by various authorities and individuals, including wildlife organisation Ezemvelo.
And instead of welcoming the project, the AmaZizi, the community most affected by it, are asking why their existing upliftment and conservation projects are being ignored.
In his August budget speech, Mabuyakhulu said the Ithala Development Finance Corporation had been appointed to steer the project, which will include an environmental impact assessment and also explore funding options via the Industrial Development Corporation, the Development Bank of South Africa and National Empowerment Fund.
According to department spokesperson Bheko Madlala, Ithala "will also be looking for an operator for the cableway with global experience".
Madlala said the international research trip was necessary as the earlier studies had been “desktop” and there was a need to actually see cableways on “other world heritage sites and eco-sensitive areas”.
These could include such cableways as those in the Swiss Alps, the Mount Etna cable car in Sicily, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Cairns, Australia, and those in China’s Huangshan mountains.
Madlala said he was unable to put a price tag on the trip as the sites to be visited still had to be decided.
He said those going on the trip would be "senior government officials and other interested stakeholders".
A quick check yesterday showed that an economy class return ticket from South Africa to Huangshan costs from R20 000 to R30 000 per person, while a return to Cairns would cost a minimum of R19 500 per person next week. This excludes accommodation, food and other costs that would be borne by the taxpayer.
Ann McDonnell, DA spokesperson for economic development and a member of the portfolio committee, said she had “no idea” the trip was on the cards.
McDonnell said there was only R5 million remaining in the department’s budget, and it looked as though some of this would be spent on the trip.
She said she was "vehemently opposed" to the cableway.
"We need to get our existing tourism right and improve the roads and accommodation at the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve and bring them up to Didima standard."

The department was also looking to woo potential financial backers, including the Development Bank of South Africa, the National Empowerment Fund and the Industrial Development Corporation

MEC’s ‘pie in the sky’ project is farcical

The dogged persistence by KZN EDTEA MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu – to soldier on with his ‘pie in the sky’ Drakensberg cableway project in the face of an increasingly difficult economic climate – becomes more farcical with each day.

The involvement of Ithala Development Bank as announced today raises another red flag.

The KZN portfolio committee for Tourism has not yet met to discuss this project. To be informed by the media that Ithala is taking over the reins on this project is frankly insulting to the newly elected Legislature.

According to the media report, Ithala will be responsible for driving funding for the project, and for the business model. This is alarming in light of the failed Dolphin Whispers development in the Point area of Durban – also driven by Ithala Bank – and the many other ‘white elephants’ left in its wake around the province.

During the recent KZN Budget approval process, the DA appealed to MEC Mabuyakhulu and his department to get the basics right. This means putting any grand plans for a cableway on the back burner.

Priorities for the department should be the upgrade of roads and accommodation, particularly in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park, while access roads and signage to all KZN’s tourism sites need to be maintained to enhance the experience of a visit to our province.

The MEC has been warned. A cableway in a remote corner of the Drakensburg is doomed to fail.

Ann McDonnell, MPL