Tourism dept revives centuries-old big tree site
At almost 40 metres tall, 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 Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.
Locals and tourists can visit the ancient Outeniqua yellowwood, estimated to be about a 1 000 years old, after it was inaccessible for almost three years due to roadworks in the area carried out by the South African National Roads Agency.
The department of tourism pumped R17 million of funding into the project as a way to improve the park and bring it on par with international tourist attraction standards.
Kubayi-Ngubane said it was important for the department to invest in the site because the Big Tree was situated close to the busy N2 and attracted many tourists, local and international.
She said this, in turn, would assist in driving economic development in the area and benefit the locals with job opportunities.
“In terms of this site, previously there were no facilities of international standard,” she said.
The wooden kiosk and ablution facilities did little to make people comfortable, she added.
The park’s manager, Nomvuselelo Songelwa, said at the launch that management was thrilled to be able to reopen the upgraded facility, which also coincided with Tourism Month.
“Who would have thought among us a seed as big as 50 cents would result in the big tree we see here today?” Songelwa said, adding that it had enhanced tourism in the area and education for school children and researchers.
A beneficiary of the newly built facility is the owner of the Big Tree Cafe, Lesley-Ann Cola, who said she jumped at the opportunity to set up shop at the national park.
“We started operating in December 2019. My husband and I both have a love for nature. So being part of nature and this product was more appealing than just being in a busy mall,” Cola said.
However, the eatery owner said the lockdown dealt them a huge blow as they had to close their doors.
“The biggest loss was having to retrench staff. But we are hoping [we] will attract more people to come visit the precinct,” she said.
The tree will be open to viewing all year round. – News24 Wire