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- The famous Big Tree at Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape has been relaunched and opened to the public after a nearly three-year closure.
- The ROpenness occurs when the country’s borders are expected to be opened to the international community.
- The recently renovated Big Tree is expected to bring much-needed employment and economic development to the area.
At nearly 40 meters high, the Big Tree in Tsitsikamma’s Garden Route National Park in the Eastern Cape, towers over the forest. It was officially reopened to the public during a launch with the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.
Locals and tourists can visit the ancient Outeniqua Yellow Forest, estimated to be around 1000 years old, after it was inaccessible for almost three years due to road works in the area carried out by the South African National Highway Agency (Sanral) .
The Department of Tourism injected 17 million rand of funds into the project as a way to improve the park and bring it up to par with international standards for tourist attraction.
Kubayi-Ngubane told News24 that it was important for the department to invest in the site because the Big Tree was located near the busy N2 and attracted many tourists locally and internationally.
At nearly 40 meters high, the Great Tree of the Tsitsikamma Garden Route National Park towers over the surrounding forest.
Twitter via @Tourism_gov_za
She said this, in turn, would help boost economic development in the area and benefit locals with job opportunities.
“In terms of this site, previously there were no international standard facilities,” he said.
The wooden kiosk and toilet facilities did little to make people comfortable, he added.
A seed as big as a 50 cent piece
Park manager Nomvuselelo Songelwa told the audience at the launch that management was delighted to finally be able to reopen the upgraded facility, which also coincided with Tourism Month.
“Who would have thought that among us a seed as large as 50 cents would result in the great tree we see here today,” Songelwa said, adding that tourism in the area and education for schoolchildren and researchers have improved.
One beneficiary of the newly built facility is Big Tree Café owner Lesley-Ann Cola, who told News24 that she took the opportunity to set up a store in the national park.
“We started operating in December 2019. My husband and I love nature. So being a part of nature and this product was more attractive than being in a busy mall that only has walls and windows,” Cola said.
Blocking blow
However, the restaurant owner said the national closure dealt them a major blow, as they had to completely close their doors. They still cannot operate because it is not viable while tourist activity in the area is still slow.
“Before the coronavirus we were at the peak of the tourist season. Business was not booming as such because people did not know that the current compound had been improved, but we had some people here. The biggest loss was having to reduce staff. So after Covid-19 it’s been dead, but we look forward to the launch and exposure, [we] it will attract more people to visit the venue. We have also hired providers for some respite, “he said.
The tree will be open to view throughout the year.
