When I first heard about the new lodge development at Gwe Gwe beach in the Mkambati Nature reserve it was not getting good press and was being seen by many in the same light as anti-conservation projects like Shell oil exploration and Titanium mining… the same people who fought against those mega projects were gearing for a fight against Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Association (the managing body), the Mkambati Land Trust (the owners of the land) and Mkambati Matters (the developers of the lodge).
Of course there are always two sides to the story; the project has the support of many respectable people who have dedicated their lives to the sustainable conservation and development of the Transkei. So, I pursued Colin Bell and Keith Stannard whose company, Mkambati Matters, has been granted the concession to develop the Northern part of Mkambati. They were suspicious of the motivations of a Transkei loving hippy Youtuber who didn’t even have an actual channel at that stage. It took some convincing but finally they kindly agreed to give me access to the site and Keith’s mind. This film is the result of those meetings.
I think the film accurately portrays the world view of the developers and the land owners who are introducing to the Transkei this new development model that has been successful in other places. The film outlines the model and addresses some of the controversial questions that those in opposition to the project have in their minds. It may not answer all their questions, but that's okay... the story is not over.
I am deeply grateful to Colin and Keith for their trust and their hospitality. They have both been privy to edits of the film as it progressed and we swapped many notes; a process I offer to anyone participating in my films. I took into account their concerns regarding the portrayal without losing my intention or my independence. I think we have achieved a good balance. I’m very pleased with the results and stand by every word in the film. I look forward to working with them again.
I hope that this film will inspire others, especially those who are against the development, to come forward and offer stories of their own. I am especially interested in an episode that can demonstrate a realistic alternative model to the Gwe Gwe development. I am interested in exploring whether the privatisation and commodification of “national assets” is the right way to develop tourism.
We all want the same thing… the sustainable conservation and development of the Wild Coast, the Transkei and South Africa. I believe anyone who is passionately pursuing these objectives deserves to have their voice heard. No one alone has the answers to our future. I believe that the more we share our stories the closer we will grow to each other and the sooner we will find ways to a sustainable future underpinned by love, peace and security for all.
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00:00 Intro to Gwe Gwe Lodge - The Challenge
00:29 Beautiful Mkambati Reserve
00:59 History of Mkambati - Leprocy
01:48 Mkambati Land Trust - Owners of Mkambati
02:16 Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism - Biodiversity
03:12 Tourism - Freedom of the Wild Coast
04:29 The End of Freedom - The Problem
05:06 Reply by Project Manager Keith Stannard
05:30 The Developers Side of The Story - Previous Models Have not Benefitted the Community
06:19 Conservation Needs Capital
07:08 How the Development was Developed
08:23 Permits were Issued - Intro to the Luxury Lodge
09:47 Blends in with the Environment
10:31 How do the Beneficiaries Benefit from the Resort
11:23 Employment in the Eastern Cape
12:00 Split of Profits
13:01 How does Nature Conservation Benefit
13:31 Developers View on Capitalism
13:58 Environmental Impact of Development
14:49 The Mpondoland Dwarf Ghekko
15:20 Decree 9 - Can the Lodge be built within 1km of the shoreline
15:53 Dogs chase cars and bark... Chairman of the Mkambati Land Trust
16:34 Was Public Consultation done properly
18:20 Restriction of Access to Mkambati
19:31 Cost of entry to Mkambati
20:42 Customary Traversing Rights
21:46 Having to Book Visiting the Waterfalls
22:32 Things have changed on The Wild Coast
24:39 Conclusions
