In a classic example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality recently unveiled a “Stay Safe in the Bay Tourism Safety Guide” which ironically directs visitors to known crime hotspots in Central.
The pamphlet includes a map that points to tourism or heritage sites in the inner city.
The problem is that some of those sites are either not well maintained or no longer safe to visit.
This guide is what tourists are to be given when looking for places to see in the city.
One site highlighted on the map is the St George’s Park — a beautiful oasis in the inner city, which is now, sadly, overrun by criminals.
Our sister publication Weekend Post reported that a Swiss couple was robbed at gunpoint of a cellphone and cash last week while picnicking at St George’s Park.
Other sites highlighted on the map include:
- St George’s Park Swimming Baths — a public pool that has not been operational for a couple of years;
- Fort Frederick — vagrants are camping nearby in makeshift shelters littered with dirt and faeces; and
- No 7 Castle Hill — vagrants and drug abusers who leave their used needles and empty liquor bottles lying around have set up camp nearby.
Safety and security role players have criticised the guide map as irresponsible, saying if the maps are handed out to tourists disembarking from cruise ships at the harbour, they could find themselves in serious trouble.
The pamphlet idea is not a bad one — that is not the concern nor the source of criticism.
It is the fact that it was not thoroughly ventilated by the relevant role players across the various departments.
It needed discussion between the sports, recreation, arts and culture department working with the tourism division and safety and security to ensure that visitors are not directed to areas that may get them into trouble.
Or, even better, ensure that those sites are properly cleaned, that they have adequate security in place and that the safety of visitors is guaranteed.
HeraldLIVE