The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) that substantial revisions will be made to the proposed Draft Regulations for the Management and Control of Government Waterworks and Surrounding State-Owned Land, following extensive stakeholder input received during the public participation process.
FEDHASA says the Department’s acknowledgement that substantial amendments are required – together with the decision to place current Resource Management Plans (RMPs) on hold pending further review – is an important and constructive development for the hospitality, tourism and broader business sectors.
FEDHASA National Chairperson, Brett Tungay, said:
“The hospitality and tourism industry welcomes the Department’s willingness to listen to the extensive concerns raised by stakeholders across the country. This is a positive and encouraging indication that meaningful public participation is being taken seriously.
The initial Draft Regulations and associated Resource Management Plans created widespread concern due to their potential impact on tourism, hospitality, recreational access, investment certainty, and water-based economic activity around many of South Africa’s dams and waterways.”
Anderson added that the industry remains deeply concerned about the broader economic implications of over-regulation within an already constrained tourism economy.
“Tourism and hospitality are key job creators in South Africa. At a time when many businesses are still recovering from the devastating impact of COVID-19 restrictions, combined with increasing operational costs and deteriorating municipal infrastructure, it is critical that future regulations support economic growth, investment certainty and sustainable tourism development – rather than unintentionally undermining it.”
FEDHASA Board Member – Rosemary Anderson, said the Department’s acknowledgement of concerns regarding general access, tourism activity and lease-related matters was particularly important.
“One of the major concerns raised by stakeholders was the potential impact that aspects of the proposed regulations and lease policy could have had on investment confidence in tourism and hospitality businesses situated around dams and inland waterways.
Tourism developments, marinas, boat-based tourism operations, lodges, restaurants and waterfront hospitality businesses require long-term investment horizons and certainty of access in order to justify substantial capital investment and job creation.
We are therefore encouraged that DWS has recognised the need for further engagement and review.”
Tunday added that the decision to revisit the role and scope of Resource Management Plans (RMPs) was also significant.
“The industry strongly supports responsible environmental management, safety and protection of water resources. However, regulations must be practical, constitutionally sound, economically rational and aligned with existing legislation and operational realities.
There now exists an important opportunity for collaborative engagement between government, tourism operators, environmental stakeholders, water users and affected communities to develop a workable framework that protects South Africa’s water resources while also supporting tourism, recreation, investment and job creation.”
FEDHASA further welcomed the Department’s commitment to additional stakeholder consultation and indicated that the organisation would continue participating constructively in the process.
“South Africa’s dams, rivers and waterways are not only strategic water assets – they are also important tourism, recreation and economic assets that support many thousands of livelihoods,” Anderson concluded.
“We believe it is possible to achieve both responsible environmental custodianship and sustainable economic development through balanced, practical and properly consultative regulation.”
