Nobody wants Cango Caves

2007-02-05 17:57

Port Elizabeth - The future of the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn is in jeopardy because of uncertainty about who should run the tourist attraction, The Herald Online reported on Monday.

It said neither the arts and culture department nor environmental affairs and tourism was willing to accept responsibility for the task.

Last week, caves manager Hein Gerstner told reporters the municipality was not interested in the caves and that the world-famous attraction was in danger of falling into disrepair.

Acting municipal manager Jan Smit said Gerstner spoke out of turn.

'Grievances will be probed'

"Mr Gerstner was not authorised to make such comments and I believe there are other avenues to deal with such problems."

Smit acknowledged that Gerstner had conveyed his concerns about the management and conservation of the caves to the municipality.

"All the grievances and frustrations will be thoroughly investigated and considered," he said.

Gerstner, in his quest to have the Cango Caves managed by a responsible government body, wrote to the national department of environmental affairs and tourism in August.

'Not tourism, nor culture'

Department spokesperson Riaan Aucamp said: "After having read the correspondence regarding the Cango Caves, queries should be directed to the department of arts and culture. It is not a tourism matter."

Inquiries by The Herald established that the caves were not regarded as a cultural attraction, either.

Deon van Molendorff, principal cultural officer in Oudtshoorn, said the caves did not have an impact on the region's cultural heritage as they were not known for their rock paintings.

- SAPA