Mozambique tourism cries foul over exploitation by South Africans

Maputo – Stretches of pristine beaches wind around Mozambique’s coast, a slice of paradise where trouble is brewing as foreigners cash in at the expense of locals from a boom in tourism.

Practically destroyed during the civil war which ended in 1994, tourism in the former Portuguese colony has skyrocketed in recent years. Holidaymakers are drawn to its white beaches, crystal clear waters and relaxed atmosphere.

However, locals are railing against an influx of foreigners, mostly from South Africa, accusing them of entering into dodgy land deals with Mozambicans and flouting environmental concerns as they set up business.

A two-hour ferry ride from Maputo lies Inhaca Island whose 100km of breathtaking coastline and unique coral reefs are as attractive to tourists as the mangroves and forests.

It is here that tempers have flared over land disputes with South Africans. “The problem is the exploitation of the land by South Africans and the local people don’t benefit,” said Lazaro Timba, secretary of the island’s sole village.

In Mozambique, foreigners are not allowed to own land but, Timba said, many seek to circumvent the law by entering into development “partnerships” with local property owners.

“Local people approach the traditional authority ruled by the chief and say ‘this is my friend who wants to help me’. Then the South Africans bring tents or build infrastructure and start to bring a lot of people.”

Timba said that while the local authority had sent inspectors to the lodges, and had torn one or two down after finding they were operating as businesses, many still slipped through the net. “They bribe chiefs in the administration in Maputo,” says Rogerio, a local tourist guide.

His family used to own a boat ferrying locals and tourists to Maputo and nearby Portuguese Island until a South African brought in four boats and stopped all local operators from working. “He then raised prices so no local could afford to use the boat.”

Just up the beach, a sprawling campsite has been set up about 200m from the ocean. The owner of the land, a local fisherman, lives in a small room adjacent to the site on land he inherited.

He says his South African partner approached him seven years ago and promised to help him with his fishing business. “He promised to give me a boat and fix my current boat but didn’t do that.” He says he is happy with the arrangement but would like more money.

The fisherman receives a monthly sum that has remained the same for the past seven years, a time in which Mozambique’s tourism industry has gone from $63.6 million to $157 million.

“The South African was clever. He fixed a certain amount and put it on paper,” he shrugs. Gildo Neves of Mozambique Tourism says the boom in visitor numbers can be attributed to investment in infrastructure, marketing and personnel training.

In the northern province of Inhambane, similar land conflicts abound, with locals incensed about lodges which fence off beaches to keep their wealthy clients from local beachgoers, often with electric fences.

“They put barriers on the beach and when locals want to go to the beach they say you have to pay this amount,” says Natercia Mamhique, who organises leisure activities for visitors.

With some 578 million visitors in 2005, and a contribution of some 2.5% to the country’s gross domestic product, the abuse of Mozambique’s fragile eco-systems could scupper future tourism potential. “There are signs saying don’t drive the car on the beach and they do that. They don’t respect the environment,” Mamhique said.

Carlos Serra, a land and environmental lawyer who works with the country’s justice ministry, says the main problem is the implementation of the law. “Our land law gives local communities a lot of power. However, the reality in the field is very different.”

In Inhambane province, foreigners wanting to own land close to a lake made a ’special deal’ with local authorities and paid to have locals kicked off their land. “There are some people in government who are corrupt. In this case we found bad governance.”

Despite many mistakes made by government, Serra says there has been good and progressive implementation of the country’s land and environmental laws. “It’s a long process,” he said.

- Sapa-AFP

Source: www.pretorianews.co.za

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