Mtentu Lodge is a life force for its community, protecting its land from mining and its people from changing a way of life closely connected to nature:
Eastern Cape, South Africa (08 January 2024) — On the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, a hidden gem that twinkles as a community life force stands bravely.
Mtentu Lodge is not your ordinary getaway. For starters, it is an eco-lodge with a very important connection to the gorgeous natural beauty of the region; situated in the remote part of the coastline near Mkambathi Nature Reserve. On top of its breathtaking location, it is also owned in partnership with the local Amadiba community (the ACCODA Trust, which represents the people and owns the land), earmarking it as a very special community life force that many families are reliant on to survive.
Perhaps one of the deepest importances of Mtentu Lodge is that it is said to be the reason titanium mining has not won the battle for land in the area. According to its people, because it acts as an important eco-tourism setting, it has helped Mtentu narrowly escape falling by the wayside of another mining money-maker in the province.
From the perspective of those who have stayed there before, it is positioned as a rare gem in the modern world; cut off from “the noise of technology” in an area that is “one of pristine, natural beauty, untouched [and] wild,” as Janet Haw tells Good Things Guy.
But unfortunately, it’s not all paradise for Mtentu Lodge.
Near the end of December, the Lodge’s main entertainment area caught fire and burnt to a crisp.
“We lost everything that makes the lodge run including the kitchen, bar, seating area, office, store room and workshop,” share the team.
Devastated, those who rely on the lodge knew they needed to make a plan to rebuild what they could, as this was not a gem worth letting go of.
In a few weeks, support has poured in, to the tune of over R57,000. But, this is a very long way to go until they reach their goal of R500,000.
As Janet shares expressing immense concern for the people and the area:
“The Lodge is also the one and only reason why mining has not been able to commence along the coast, as the people have not allowed it.”
“It is therefore vital that they can raise enough funds to get back up and running as quickly as possible.”
“Considering families could have no other means to support their families should the lodge be unable to flourish once more.”
Anyone willing to help a bietjie and make a difference not just for the nature this lodge protects, but the people behind it, can find its rebuilding campaign here.
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