While the Western Cape Government and other Powers That Be seem hellbent to trade the traditional eco-tourism based economy of the West Coast that stood the test of time for massive and ultra-invasive industrialization and mining projects, one can only wonder what the long-term effect will be . . .
Does one have to KILL one form of economy (and the entire eco-system of a region) in favour of a few short-term and experimental projects under the pretext of job creation?
Jobs for WHO? Since when has phosphate mining become the flavour of the month-industry for job creation? And WHO is going to monitor, manage and police these various industrial projects which not only have irreversible impacts on the environment but will also undoubtedly bring THOUSANDS of workers from across the country to the West Coast.
Do we have the infrastructure to accommodate an extra few thousand permanent work-seeking people and WHAT happens when the projects are complete?
One can only wonder . . . and meanwhile ENJOY the natural, unique beauty of a region that may soon be lost forever due to hasty and thoughtless decisions by people who don’t even live here? (Pictures: LornaD Photography)
