The once promising multimillion rand Wisani Lodge that collapsed four years ago could see its doors opened again.

This transpired during Limpopo´s Tourism MEC Pitsi Moloto´s visit at Mhinga, where he interacted with different stakeholders in the community as part of his public participation programme.

The event was held at an open space along the road just outside the village last Friday morning. Moloto’s visit started at the local traditional offices, where he was briefed about developments in the area. He the visited the once famous lodge, which is now in a state of decay. After the site visit, Moloto came back to the ground and listened to the plight of the community.

Flanked by Thulamela Mayor Khosi Vho Thivhulawi Makumbane, Vhembe Executive Mayor Falaza Mdaka, Thulamela Speaker Faith Chauke and Chief Shilungwa Mhinga, Moloto listened attentively, taking down notes as stakeholders presented their cases and their plight to him. Many of the requests circled around the improvement of the natural resources and the tourism sector, as the village is not far from the Kruger National Park.

A representative of the local stock farmers, Mr Aaron Chauke, told the MEC that livestock farmers were on the receiving end. He said when Wisani Lodge was built, the area had been used for grazing and for arable purposes. Community members also raised concerns about the lack of compensation from the department when their livestock are killed by wild animals from the Kruger National Park, which also destroy their fields. Livestock farmers have lost more than 500 heads of cattle and many goats, costing many thousands of rands.

The representative said he was worried that the department seemed not to care about them and they had to watch helplessly while their livelihood was taken away from them. He said sale of the skins of animals could be used to compensate farmers who lost their livestock. Farming is their only form of livelihood as there are no jobs.

In response, Moloto has said that his department was close to signing a memorandum of understanding with the Kruger National Park regarding compensation of farmers.

The good news came when the MEC announced that Wisani Lodge should be opened as a way of curbing poverty and unemployment among the rural Mhinga community. He said its proximity to the Kruger National Park could ensure that it was sustainable. Moloto said he was worried that the once promising flagship of development in the area had been reduced to a dilapidated ruin.

The lodge, which is now the subject of a court case between the Mhinga Development Trust and a developer, Andre Geldenhuis, used to employ more than 40 locals, who have all lost their employment. The lodge collapsed years ago due to conflict amongst the investor Geldenhuis, the local chief and the community.