THE Bhangazi Development Trust is excited about the new Bhangazi Heritage Lodge to be built at a cost of just under R30-million.
It is presently undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment, but it is hoped that it could be completed within two years.
The proposed lodge was announced by iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis, accompanied by representatives of the Bhangazi Development Trust, Raymond Mfeka and Mrs Gumede.
The lodge is being planned close to Bhangazi’s original homesteads on the eastern shores of Lake Bhangazi situated in the Eastern Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
It will consist of 22 self-catering tents and a restaurant, with a large pool and deck overlooking Lake Bhangazi.
The design of the lodge will showcase the rich heritage of the Bhangazi community and will blend into the natural environment with minimal visual impact.
Guests will be able to enjoy day and night drives, guided short walks on the Eastern Shores and possibly walks into the wilderness area to the north, guaranteed access to the Cape Vidal beach with all its related activities and canoeing on Lake Bhangazi.
The lodge itself is expected to create 61 new employment opportunities once financially sustainable, which it is hoped will be achieved after five years of operation.
The Lake Bhangazi area is an important cultural place for the Bhangazi people and they see the lodge as an opportunity to promote their history and culture.
In claiming their land, a dip tank was used as evidence to the Land Commission that the land had belonged to the community.
When the previous government wanted them to leave the area, the Bhangazi’s wealth, their cattle, was used as a lever.
The Department of Agriculture stopped providing dip solutions for their cattle, forcing them to herd their cattle into the sea.
They used the salty water to treat their livestock against ticks.
The Bhangazi community were eventually forced off their land, leaving their ancestors’ graves, their houses and livelihoods behind them.
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