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Editorial Comment

Narrowing gaps in tourism
There are two discernable – and worrying – gaps in the tourism industry in the Free State. Perhaps it is a wider phenomenon, but be as it may the two gaps are, firstly, the widening gap between rich and poor and, secondly also a widening gap between government and the private sector. As for the first, it is a situation of the tourism cake is growing, but relatively less people earn more from it, while in accordance with the general economic trend the number of poor increases. It is in this light that the theme for Tourism Month this year is “Tourism is enriches” with the basic aim to get more people at the lower end of the scale to benefit from tourism. We sincerely hope that the tourism development strategy for the Free State will henceforth be better structured as to the achievements of this objective. Secondly, according to vibes picked by the Free State Business Bulletin the incoming management of the Free State Tourism Authority is actively seeking closer synergy with the private sector in the province. May this cue be picked up and may a new dawn be made to break.

Misdaad bly grootste probleem
Volgens alle getuienis bly misdaad die grootste enkele probleem in die pad van die verwesenliking van die potensiaal van Suid-Afrika as land en is dit ook van toepassing op die Vrystaat. 'n Onlangse landswye opname het selfs getoon dat mense so gewoond geraak het aan misdaad dat hul grootste beswaar tans is die geweld waarmee misdaad gepaard gaan. Met ander woorde, hulle kan nog met misdaad saamleef as dit nie is vir die moord, doodslag en blatante rowery waarmee dit gepaard gaan nie. Eintlik dui hierdie navorsingsbevinding op 'n baie siek situasie. Wat die Vrystaat betref, was misdaadsyfers wat onlangs omtrent Nederland vrygestel is, besonder insiggewend. Daarvolgens het 198 mense in 2005, die minste in 10 jaar, in Nederland aan die hand van moordenaars gesterf. Hierteenoor word bykans 1 000 mense per jaar in die Vrystaat vermoor. Dit terwyl die Vrystaatse bevolking 2,7 miljoen is teenoor die 12 miljoen van Nederland. Inderdaad 'n baie siek situasie. Wie gaan wat daaromtrent doen?

What's going on in Xhariep?
News emanating from the Xhariep District–south western Free State – on the financial and business state of affairs are not very encouraging, to say the least. Political parties express concern about the financial viability of the District Municipality, while the MEC for Local Government is quoted as having described the Municipality as “being in the intensive care unit”. Furthermore there is news that the cash constraint District Municipality must pay a former municipal manager over R2 million following a successful claim for remuneration in arrears. Stakeholders in the tourism industry, e.g. involved with the Lake Gariep Tourism Route and the Horizon Route, complain about a continuous lack of support and direction from government levels, local as well as provincial. It is our considered opinion that although the Xhariep District is not too well-endowed with natural attributes, it certainly has its own unique strengths, which should be exploited and developed accordingly. If well managed, Xhariep can make it. What's wrong?