Tag Archives: Nan Raturat

Shaun Van Eck breaks his silence on what happened at Knysna Tourism

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Knysna Tourism is set to continue crawling in the mud (deservedly so). Shaun van Eck, the ex-CEO, is challenging his dismissal and charging Greg Vogt, the current CEO, with defamation. The ragged relationship between Shaun van Eck and myself is well known to the greater public, in no small part because of this blog. However, it’s been a challenge keeping this story alive and pursuing justice so i’m pleased that van Eck has finally broken his silence. He gives new takkies to the controversy, hopefully enabling it, as my pending … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Immaculate Conception of Greg Vogt (Part 3)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

As with the manufacturing of Greg Vogt, so the appearance of transparency is manufactured rather than honesty itself. A new, wise CEO, free of our town’s politics and social groups would have made bigger windows and kicked Knysna Tourism’s door wide open. The appointment of Vogt only makes sense if it’s to continue to shut the public and Tourism’s members out. The choice of the right person to head the organisation should have spoken a lot by itself but when intending the insertion of Vogt they would have been aware … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The immaculate conception of Greg Vogt (Part 2)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Part 1 can be read here. That controlled conception of Greg Vogt as CEO of Knysna Tourism (KT) was ominous. With the general public and members locked out of the CEO launch at The Director’s Club, it was an obvious move to prevent real questioning of the controversial Vogt. With taxpayers forking out more than R4million per year to Knysna Tourism (KT), and Tourism’s members supposedly having power whilst paying their fees, it was an insult to rights, transparency and democracy. Fortunately, there’s a little known video of the proceedings … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Immaculate Conception of Greg Vogt (Part 1)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The NSPCA has confirmed that Greg Vogt, the new CEO of Knysna Tourism (KT), has been charged for his alleged role in elephant abuse at Knysna Elephant Park (KEP) during his 7-year tenure as manager. His selection as CEO is controversial and I have previously stated my belief that this was in order to continue the cover-up of the financial disaster that befell Knysna Tourism and should have led to politicians and municipal staff being punished. Ironically, three of the alleged guilty, who were Board Directors with Vogt during that … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

KEP versus Greg Vogt & Knysna Tourism

Mike Hampton Posted on by

After reports of animal abuse for which the Knysna Elephant Park (KEP) has yet to be charged for, the organisation is undoubtedly facing many challenges. Two of these include Greg Vogt, their former manager, and the Knysna Tourism Board (KTB) who will appoint Vogt as their controversial CEO today, July 1 2014.  KEP is a member of KTB. Lisette Withers, the owner of the park, is outraged at the manner in which Vogt has been appointed. If there’s validity to her claims, you should be too. Withers has demanded answers … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Tourism Truth #3: Conspiracy and cover-up

Mike Hampton Posted on by

“A cover-up is an attempt, whether successful or not, to conceal evidence of wrongdoing, error, incompetence or other embarrassing information.” Why the conspiracy? Why the cover-up? The Tourism Board and the Financial sub-committee include Municipal members who are supposed to ensure all is well. Financial reports get submitted to Corporate Services at the Knysna Municipality which has its own Director who liaises with the Financial Director who both fall under the Lauren Waring (who is also on the Tourism Board where both the DA and ANC are currently represented). Despite … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna Smacked in the Face as Greg Vogt Appointed CEO of Knysna Tourism

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The worst news i’ve heard in 5 years is that Greg Vogt has been made CEO of Knysna Tourism. He is not only the man at the centre of the elephant abuse scandal (manager of the park for 7 years) but also the primary figure in covering up the nepotism and favouritism that led Knysna Tourism into financial ruin. One of his cohorts through it all was Nan Raturat who has now taken the position as Chair of the Knysna Tourism Board. She, along with Lauren Waring (Municipal Manager) and … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Did the Knysna Tourism Board Pay Half a Million to Hide Their Guilt?

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Did Knysna Tourism pay their ex-CEO, Shaun van Eck, R270,000 to leave? Was it a cover-up? I know that some of you will probably have gotten tired of this story but I hope that you understand that I’ve had to dig deep into myself to keep going even though there have been continuous explosions in the Knysna Tourism fiasco. I’m all too aware that Knysna’s bad government wins battles by exhausting the will of complainants. Worse is that Helen Zille and Alan Winde were aware of the impending catastrophe and … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!