The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga will write to Public Works MEC, Mandla Ndlovu, urging intervention and rescue of the historic Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest, currently being operated illegally due relationship breakdown between employees and the current tenant, Kruger on Sabie (KOS).
KOS took over the running of the 129-year-old Hotel in September 2022 after the previous tenant, Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust’s (MRTT) lease ended. Despite initially absorbing all 50 employees, KOS later realised that they could not afford this and tried to introduce a shift work system; however.
Due to this breakdown, KOS was forced to vacate the premises until the dispute was resolved, however, it’s been 15-months, and nothing has been resolved.
According to a recent report from the Department of Public Works, the employees are currently running the hotel illegally, and this has placed the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and tourists at potential risk. The hotel infrastructure as well as the assets inside the Hotel are at risk too.
It is very disheartening that the provincial government as well as all stakeholders involved have not been able to resolve the issue with the illegal occupation and running of this Hotel. It is of utmost importance that the provincial government as well as all stake holders involved work earnestly to resolve these issues.
The DA will write to MEC Ndlovu, urging him to send a task team to the Hotel to resolve these issues. Mpumalanga Tourism cannot afford to lose this hotel. Pilgrims Rest and Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest are part of Mpumalanga’s heritage. This historic 129-year-old hotel attracts thousands of tourists every year to the area of Pilgrim’s Rest, so we can’t afford to let it drown.
The small town of Pilgrim’s Rest itself has a rich history. It is currently protected as a Mpumalanga provincial heritage site. It is an old gold mining town dating back to 1873. It has also been declared a national monument offering historical attractions linked to gold as well as many outdoor adventure activities.
Besides rescuing Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest, the DA also want MEC Ndlovu to present a rescue plan for the rest of Pilgrims Rest as little has been done by the Mpumalanga provincial government since 2012 to protect this historical town.