The FF Plus was shocked to learn that the railway between Hutchinson in the Karoo and Calvinia, both in the Northern Cape, is currently being disassembled. According to reports, Transnet plans to sell the rails as scrap metal.
That part of the Karoo is not only dry, but also far from the Orange River, which means that the economy is solely dependent on extensive stock farming in semi-desert conditions.
Tourism could possibly make a growing contribution to the economy.
The SKA radio telescope, which is the biggest scientific infrastructure project of its kind in the world, is being erected in the same vicinity.
While it is beneficial for South Africa on the whole, the positive impact on the Karoo is counteracted by the fact that the SKA will take about 130 000 hectares out of production. That is precisely why the Departments of Science and Innovation as well as Tourism are focusing on so-called astro-tourism.
The railway could easily, and with minimal changes, be used for a unique tourism experience. Disassembling the railway simply makes no sense.
The FF Plus is currently trying to engage with the Ministers of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, and Transport, Barbara Creecy, in an effort to halt the disassembly until a thorough investigation is done to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the railway.