Dorothy Day:
“The legal battle against segregation is won
but the community battle goes on.”

Why won’t they reveal their budget?

You may have heard of my dispute with Knysna Tourism. If not, please view previous blogs here at The KEEP. There are several blogs criticizing Tourism and it’s chief, Shaun van Eck, for lack of transparency.

Knysna needs to act for Knysna and not lillywhite shenanigans. Pick ‘n Pay’s Oyster Festival is one such example. I don’t disparage individual organizers. I know how hard it is to erect an event. I applaud those individuals. I applaud those few who try help their neighbours. I applaud those who are battling to survive during this recession…for surviving. But i DO NOT applaud the Knysna Municipality, Knysna Tourism and the Board of Tourism for not fulfilling their responsibilities to All Knysnians. There has to be change!

My blogging method has been controversial and i have been questioned regarding it. My answer is that i faced a brick wall and no answers! In a democracy, or when people having nothing to hide, that should not happen. I have been questioned why i “dragged” the DA into it. I did so because Georlene Wolmarans, in the role as Mayor and as a Tourism Board Member, should have pursued Tourism to release the info. In the street, i have twice being accused as being against my own kind (whites) which is simply ridiculous and smacks of petty racism in itself. The DA claims to be for all races and all i am pursuing is the Truth and a better Knysna. If the ANC or COPE were in power, i’d be doing the same. I’m not for any party, i simply want to be for Knysna. Political parties have their roles but the only time our roles coincide is if they believe, and pursue, a better Knysna for its People.

I’m sick of cronyism and the new apartheid which has non-white people dislocated from Knysna. I love Knysna and i want it to change. I want it to be for All. I acted first where i had some insight which is Knysna Tourism and Shaun van Eck.

I have more planned as it’s bigger than Tourism. Undoubtedly i will have tough times ahead as there will be people gunning for me. I did not commit to this action without the expectation of consequence. It’s likely that i will be defamed, sued and threatened. It will be practically impossible to do business. But any challenges will only be met with more determination by me.

Please join the real world. Don’t be a gossiper. Don’t be a crony. Don’t be one of the many hoping for crumbs from Tourism. I don’t ask you to believe or support in my methods. But i do ask you to question yourself on the state of this town. And ask yourself what are the main facts? What is the real issue? It’s not me. Yes, i have a personal dispute with Shaun van Eck over the cancellation of intended community projects but this is bigger than just that and i have clearly stated so on the blog.

Currently, the issue i’ve been presenting is the request to the Knysna Board and the Mayor for transparency. I should not have to ask. Not in a democracy. Provide (and open for public debate):

• Knysna Tourism’s 2010 & 2011 budgets.
• Knysna Tourism’s 2010 community projects and statistics (not the advertorial, real information).
• Knysna Tourism’s 2011 community project plan.
• Pick ‘n Pay Oyster Fest 2010 & 2011 budget breakdown.
• Pick ‘n Pay & Worldsport’s mandate for Oyster Fest.
• The deals with people who work both for both Knysna Tourism and Worldsport.

Remember that before this protest began, or had gotten so far, Knysna Tourism CEO, Shaun van Eck, the Knysna Tourism Board or the DA run municipality could simply have provided the information and called a meeting. Whether it was apathy or them deliberately hiding information, my actions are a direct result of their inaction.

No matter how pretty The Heads and the forests are, it means nothing unless you make it beautiful for all races and cultures.

Knysna needs change!