The sanctity and charm of an important Venda national heritage site, the long-term viability of an important sector of the tourism industry in the Soutpansberg area, together with the lives of residents of the town Louis Trichardt, could be jeopardized seriously by a controversial new residential development.

The development is being implemented by the Makhado Municipality in collaboration with the Limpopo Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing.

The construction of a massive RDP-type residential development on the ecologically sensitive top of the Soutpansberg, at the picturesque and historically significant cultural heritage site of the Songozwi village, where the curator of the Ramabulana royal cemetery traditionally resides, was described this week as “outrageously short-sighted, tragically insensitive, grossly irresponsible and probably unlawful.”

A member of the royal council described it as “a serious official blunder.” Concern was also expressed about the adverse impact of such a development on existing tourist establishments along the adjacent conservancy, which represent a multi-million rand private investment.

The housing project, which demonstrates scant concern for environmental, cultural and historical considerations, defies the legal national, provincial and municipal administrative procedures and openly contravenes a court order, received high-level attention this week. A visit by the Green Scorpions is also ex-pected soon.

No confirmation could be found this week whether the required impact studies and consultations with stakeholders had taken place before the project started. An authoritative impact study is an essential prerequisite to start such a development. Without it, such a project is unlawful.

The Makhado municipal spokesperson, Mr. Louis Bobodi, when questioned about the size, cost and reason for such a development at such a place, said “Government is building the houses for disadvantaged farm workers at Songozwi. The whole project will cost R3,3 million and comprises 63 houses. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.” He said the project was listed in the official IDP of the municipality. Fifteen of the houses, which are being erected within the historical royal kraal, will be chalet-styled thatched-roof structures with lightning arrestors. The rest of the houses immediately adjacent to the royal kraal are RDP-type houses “with ceilings.”

A high-ranking offi-cial of the Limpopo Heritage Authority (LIHRA) visited the project last week, which was also brought to the attention of the MEC for Sports, Art and Culture, as well as the Departments of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and Local Government and Housing. The spokesperson for the LIHRA, Mr Tlou Setumu, said a meeting would be scheduled with representatives of the appropriate provincial department and the Makhado Municipality to resolve the issue.

The spokesperson for the Department of Local Government and Housing, Mr Malusi Mogale, when questioned about the project, said he would refer the entire issue to his seniors for an official response. None was re-ceived.

Some 20 of the RDP-type tin-roofed houses are already in various stages of completion in close proximity to the traditional, predominantly thatch-roofed, Songozwi village and dangerously close to unique and vulnerable mountain vegetation. Loads of building materials are being carted to the site along a farm road across private property – something which is prohibited by an official court order.

At the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism in Polokwane, the director in charge of impact studies, Mr Victor Mongwe, was requested to determine whether the development is legal or not; that is, if an authorization had been issued for such a development. He was instructed by his head of Department, Ms Mdi Nomazizi, the General Manager: Environmental Trade and Protection, to take the necessary law enforcement steps to halt the development if there was no official authorization. Mr Mongwe confirmed that enforcement officials, together with members of the Green Scorpions, will visit the site soon.

A member of the Sinthemule royal family council, Mr Radzilani Ramabulana, when asked for comment, said it was the wish of the royal council that the traditional character of the village should remain intact.

“The village is meant to exclusively accommodate the nucleus of the family looking after the graves. It is not meant to accommodate other individuals. Jeopardizing its character with the development of RDP-type housing is really a serious official blunder.” The royal cemetery at Songozwi is utilized by members of the Sinthumule-, Kutama- en Mpephu houses of the Ramabulana royal family. The unique Songozwi village, with its strong links to the ancient history and rich culture of the Venda people, has long been regarded as having lucrative potential for controlled cultural tourism, if its traditional architecture and atmosphere can be preserved.