The Eastern Cape Tourism Agency has launched an investigation into allegations of racism at a facility which is allegedly registered with the agency.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Sybert Liebenberg says the investigation emanates from an incident, where it is alleged that an 11-year-old black child was barred from spending a holiday on the farm with his 12-year-old white friend. It is alleged the pair of schoolboy friends; one white and one black were unable to holiday together at a farm in Chintsa because the parents had been told the black child would not be welcome at the site.
The white boy's mother was quoted as saying that despite paying for a six-day holiday for two adults, her son and his friend, she was informed that the son's friend would not be allowed on the property. The mother was reportedly told that only blacks who are workers at the site were allowed entry and the black child did not join the family for the holiday.
Liebenberg has set up his team led by one of his Executive Directors, Eddie Marafane to investigate the allegations. The report is expected to be completed in two weeks time and will be made public by the 25th of January after consultation with the MEC for the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
Through this investigation will be able to determine if indeed the said tourism facility is registered with the ECPTA as a tourism product. If so, we will use the legislation and our mandate to deal with them accordingly. We will not tolerate racism in any shape or form. We take a dim view to the negative effect that this could have on the Eastern Cape tourism brand," said Liebenberg.
