Ratelrivier

The neglect at the Ratelrivier Farmstead was pointed out earlier after a visit on 20 February 2024. We requested certain information from the SANParks Business Development Office in Pretoria since the parks and the heritage sites within belong to the people of South Africa and is only managed by SANParks on the people’s behalf. We did not receive an answer and a letter of concern was sent on 12 March to Heritage Western Cape. Here is an excerpt from our March 2024 Newsletter:

"The Ratelrivier farmstead 

The Agulhas Heritage Society recently undertook a visit to the Ratelrivier farmstead on February 20, a visit long overdue.

Ratelrivier is one of the most iconic heritage sites in the Agulhas Plain and Strandveld, as was recently conveyed to our members through the Ratelrivier Book. What a shock awaited the group. The historic buildings and werf are in an appalling state of neglect and the most basic tourism activity that should be available at a facility as was intended for Ratelrivier, the restaurant and industrial kitchen, are not operational as they should be.

The Ratelrivier farmstead has been a concession since 2019 together with the Rietfontein farmstead, also one of the iconic heritage sites situated in Agulhas National Park. A letter of concern was sent to the SANParks Business Development office at Groenkloof, Pretoria requesting the following:

• the name of the concession holder and an authorized representative of the concession holder in terms of the contract for both Ratelrivier and Rietfontein. It needs to be mentioned that Rietfontein was never in operation but was looted and vandalised over the years and destroyed during the recent fire.

• a copy of the contract with the concession holder listing the concession period and expiry date; the responsibilities of the concessionaire, as well as the registration and accreditation documents.

• a copy of the “Operational Environmental Management Plan” and an “Operational Heritage Management Plan”.

• proof of an approved change in concession holder by SANParks.

In conclusion, we stressed the fact that Agulhas National Park, which includes Ratelrivier, belongs to the people of South Africa and is only managed by SANParks on the people’s behalf. Unfortunately, what we have seen and experience SANParks is failing dismally and spectacularly. A letter of concern was also directed to Heritage Western Cape.

Additional information about the fire

The following extract come from a news article which appeared on the Times Live web page on the 4th of November:

“It took about half an hour for the whole roof to burn down. The big house is completely down. It’s terrible, terrible, terrible, but what can you do. Thanks to the Almighty nobody was hurt,” said Davids, a Cape Town businessman. He said it was not known what had sparked the fire. “All of a sudden the roof started burning.” Asked if it was possibly a braai fire out of control, Davids said: “I don’t know my friend. Only God knows, hey.”

He said the building, which had a thatched roof, was too badly damaged to be repaired. “I don’t think they can restore it. They can’t fix the walls because the walls are so badly damaged. There’s nothing we can do now, we just have to wait for the insurance people to come out.” 

The tourism concession was originally granted to Yzerfontein lawyer Sakkie de Villiers and Fesi, a Cape Town entrepreneur, in 2016. De Villiers soon transferred his interest to Fesi, who formed a joint venture to operate it with Louw, a community activist from Hangberg in Hout Bay, and Davids.  

Davids and his concession partners — Greg Louw and Fikiswe Fesi — have been locked in a legal battle with SANParks since 2021, when their contract was terminated. The partners continued to operate their tourism business regardless, and late last year SANParks hired lawyers to obtain an eviction order. "

Credits: Photographer unknown