Community Safety is the Key to Tourism Growth in the Eastern Cape
The success of tourism in South Africa—especially in the Eastern Cape—relies heavily on one non-negotiable factor: safety. This was the message echoed by residents, guest house owners, and community leaders during a recent Tourism Safety Community Engagement held in Motherwell.
With the goal of rebuilding confidence in township tourism, voices from the ground shared their frustrations and solutions with Deputy Ministers, law enforcement, and local government stakeholders.
“The Police Are Only as Good as the Community They Serve”
One Motherwell resident boldly stated, “The police are only as good as the community they serve,” stressing the urgent need for residents to work hand-in-hand with police in identifying criminals. Many community members know who the culprits are—yet choose silence over safety.
A hijacking that happened just a day before the event was a chilling reminder that if the community doesn’t act, criminals will continue to roam freely.
Support the Police, Fix the Streets
Nikita, a representative from Ward 56 in the Alex cluster, pointed out the persistent stigma attached to townships like Motherwell. “There’s a negative concept about townships, and that needs to change,” he said. While he praised the municipality for its efforts in delivering services, he also urged for consistent maintenance.
He listed key issues such as:
- Over 19,000 broken streetlights, making areas unsafe at night.
- Potholes damaging vehicles and discouraging travel.
- Surveillance cameras that are either not installed or not working—a major concern for crime prevention.
He called for working CCTV systems in townships, just like in more developed areas, to deter criminal activity and rebuild public trust.
Guesthouse Owners Are Feeling the Pain
Cliff Hanks, who owns a beachfront guesthouse, shared a heartbreaking plea: “Visitors aren’t staying because they don’t feel safe.” He revealed that most tourists only stay for one night, if at all, citing:
- Public drinking on the beachfront,
- Lack of visible police presence, and
- Increasing crime rates as reasons for their early departures.
Hanks emphasized that his business—and many others—are on the verge of collapse. “If safety isn’t prioritized, we’re going to lose what little tourism we have left,” he warned.
A United Call for Action
Tourism is more than just leisure—it’s jobs, opportunity, and growth. But none of that can exist without safety. Deputy Ministers at the event emphasized the importance of community-police collaboration, urging citizens to report criminal activity and work together to make townships safer for both locals and visitors.
It’s clear: when a community stands behind its police force, the streets become safer, businesses thrive, and tourism grows.
