Recent media reports on “Racial tension in Hartbeespoort”

Open Letter to the Kormorant

Summary:

The content of the letter deals with the long-standing problem of constant noise pollution by foreshore venues at Hartbeespoort Dam. Kormorant receive complaints on a regular basis from community members and has reported on this issue in various articles over the last few years. Read Kormorant’s response to media inquiries here:

Right of reply:

“Legacy” requested to reply to the “Open Letter” . Their reply was 3200 words. Kormorant requested that the reply should be shortened to 650 words for publication. “Legacy” rejected this offer. Read the full reply here.

Fire at Bubbles Garden in Harties ‘racial spillover’ – owner

Summary:

Thabiso Mathibedi, owner of “Bubbles” says that his wife was at “Bubbles” when the fire started and called him. “This was a clear indication of an arson case.”
Mathibedi claimed the attack appears to be a culmination of brewing racial tensions, where black-owned businesses are the target.

The report states: Mathibedi believes that it’s no coincidence that a similar open letter was published in the same publication about another black-owned business four days before his restaurant was attacked.
Kormorant received an email from Jacaranda FM on 22 August 2024 at 13:58. The article was published at 17:46. Kormorant replied on 23 August 2024 at 10:09. The reply was not published by Jacaranda FM. Read Kormorant’s response to Jacaranda FM here inquiries here:

Hartbeespoort racial spat rages on

Summary:

“A raging racial war has intensified within the community of Schoemansville in Hartbeespoort where Afrikaans-speaking people are accused of attempting to drive out black people who are setting up businesses there.”

“It has been hell because the white community here feel we don’t belong here…They were clear that as a black person I’m not wanted on the dam and that there was no way that I was going to build here. I did it anyway,” he (Thabiso Mathibedi) told The Star.

Hartebeespoort Dam Tour Operators allege they are under siege from Racist Attacks including Arson

Summary:

Black tour operators have claimed that they are under siege at the Hartebeespoort Dam and have accused their counterparts of waging systematic and racist attacks to flush them out of the North West prime tourist attraction.

The latest arson attack was at Bubbles Champagne Garden along the dam’s shoreline owned by Thabiso Mathibedi who complained that this was a clear racist motivated attack to force him out of the area.
Mathibedi said this in line with threats by racist elements in the area that black business people must move “back to Soweto where they belong”.

Fear and loathing living in Harties

Summary:

Black businessmen in Hartbeespoort in the North West are fearing for their lives after simmering racial tensions have been on the rise in the area following what seems to be business rivalry.

The predominantly white area, known for its vibrant tourism and entertainment opportunities, has historically been dominated by white residents.
Recently, an influx of Black business owners has led to significant racial tensions and confrontations.

Black business call for government intervention after simmering racial tensions on the rise, in Hartbeespoort

Summary:

Black business owners operating in Hartbeespoort Schoemansville  are calling for the government’s intervention as racial tensions escalate – following what seems to be business rivalry.

The businesses want the South African Human Rights Commission to help after two black owned properties were set on fire, the latest having been burned to the ground last week. Thabiso Tema speaks with Thabiso Mathibedi, CEO and Founder of Bubbles Champagne Garden and Black Bull Aviation, Thabiso Mathibedi.

Long-standing racial tensions persist in Harties

Summary:

Interview with the spokesperson for the Hartbeespoort Community Development Initiative, Russell Baloyi

“We are sitting with here is a situation where Hartbeespoort over the years has actually became a safe haven for any racist and unfortunately they are not showing off their racism only to black businesses but also to normal black people who go there …”

Hartbeespoort’s Racial Tensions: Unpacking the Conflict

Summary:

“In this compelling video, we focus on the escalating racial tensions in Hartbeespoort, where a low-intensity “race war” is unfolding. We examine the recent events surrounding the destruction of Thabiso Mathibedi’s Bubbles Champagne Garden Restaurant, a tragic incident linked to simmering racial conflicts.”

“As Black tenants assert their rights to access state-owned recreational facilities, they face opposition from long-standing white business occupiers. We delve into the community’s divided perspectives and the implications of these clashes on local relationships.”

Racial clash allegations in Hartbeespoort

Summary:

The Water and Sanitation Department says it’s investigating allegations of racial clashes in Hartbeespoort in the North West province. This followed simmering tensions that saw one of the black-owned business properties razed to ashes recently.

Affected business owners claim the incident was racially motivated and have accused some white community members of refusing them the right to do business on the dam’s shoreline.

State is to blame for low-intensity ‘race war’ around Harties

Summary:

The fight for access to the state-owned recreational facilities along the serene banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam in North West has sparked a low-intensity race war in the small holiday town.

Tension has reached boiling point, resulting in verbal and violent confrontations and property damage. The alleged assaults and the recent burning down of a black-owned restaurant along the dam, a popular holiday and weekend destination, have added to the tension.

Reports of racial tensions in Hartbeespoort

Summary:

The North West government is investigating alleged racial tensions in Hartbeespoort. This follows allegations that Afrikaans-speaking individuals torched properties belonging to black-owned businesses to force them out of the area. Businessman Hartley Ngoato and Harties Community Development’s Russell Baloyi have more.

Russell Baloyi: “You have a situation where the typical population of white people in Hartbeespoort is old people – Hartbeespoort has been sort of a typical pocket of excellence for racism.”

Hartbeespoort Dam belongs to the state – Mahlobo

Summary:

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo says the Hartbeespoort Dam belongs to the government, however, apartheid laws allocated the use of the facility to only a particular race. He adds that there were 99 year leases given to “white privilege” on the basis of the apartheid system.

David Mahlobo: “What has happened is criminality when individuals they choose to burn down people’s assets in terms of arson. It is a criminal act that must be dealt with decisively by law enforcement agencies.”