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Historic mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga
Business people and residents in the historic mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, have expressed concern about the decline in tourism.
The locals also blame governance failures for the bad condition of the town. Some business establishments remain closed due to delays in the awarding of lease agreement for the historic Royal Hotel.
Illegal miners have also descended on the town.
The historic gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest was declared a National Monument in 1986 to preserve the site of the 1873 gold rush.
It used to be one of the popular tourists destination in the province. It is here where Gold Panning Championships is held. But, the fortunes of the town are gradually fading. Unemployment and shortage of tourists further compound the socio-challenges faced by the locals.
“There are no jobs, there are only a few people that work, and the companies are closed for progress or productions. Those are the main causes that make this town a ghost town,” says a resident.
Another resident adds, “There is nothing wrong about the Zama-Zamas, they must leave the Zama-Zama alone, if they want to employ us, let the employ us. They must not come and make excuses, there is nothing wrong about them.”
This week, 10 illegal miners were arrested during police’s Operation Vala Umgodi. The Zama-Zamas were found in possession of gold bearing material and tools for illicit mining. Eight of the 10, appeared in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court, on Friday and remanded in police custody. The illegal mining continues unabated. But a local business owner, Leona Oosthuizen says illegal mining doesn’t bother them.
“Everybody reckons it’s the Zama-Zamas killing our town, its not. We have zero crime in our town, nothing, not even a little bit and we have got lots of Zama-Zamas but you can look, do you see any Zama-Zamas or any tourists. To blame the Zama-Zamas is wrong. Yes it’s bad for the environment especially the guys on the creek but is not their fault we don’t have tourism,” says Oosthuizen.
Police say more arrests are expected at the Sheba Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga, as part of an ongoing operation targeting illegal mining activities. On Monday, 24 more suspected illegal miners were taken into custody, bringing the total number of arrests since Friday to 518.… pic.twitter.com/d2CFSIl2Jz
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 4, 2025
Lease agreement
Oosthuizen says the delays in awarding a lease agreement for the some business establishments including the Royal Hotel contributes to the misfortunes of the town.
What I think the reason tourism is down in Pilgrim’s Rest is because of the way it is. I have been living in Pilgrim’s Rest for 32 years, so I have been through the ups and downs. The main concern is tenders not being awarded. The Royal Hotel, which I am sure everybody knows, is the main focal point of Pilgrim’s Rest, and it has been closed for more than a year now, waiting for a tender to be awarded by the government. I really cannot believe it takes that long,” she adds.
Provincial Public Works Departmental spokesperson, Bongani Dlamini, says plans are underway to award the lease agreement to a qualifying service provider.
“The department is currently in the process of appointing a service provider that will take over the operation s of Pilgrim’s rest hotel, at the moment the bid adjudication committee is about to recommend a name of the service provider to be appointed by the Head of Department,” says Dlamini.
Police have urged communities to assist with information that will help rid the town of illegal miners, whom most are undocumented foreign nationals.
RELATED VIDEO | Operation Vala umgodi | About 1 000 suspected illegal miners arrested in Barberton
