Hospitality Business
Food Solutions
Beverage Solutions
Catering Equipment
Hotel Solutions
Furnishings & DecorCheaper to live at Nahoon Caravan Park
The Nahoon caravan park may be a holiday spot to some, but for some East London families it is home.
The Dispatch visited the park yesterday after Nahoon residents raised concerns during a Civic meeting last Thursday about people renting sites for lengthy periods.
One of the local “tenants”, who asked that his name not be published, moved to the park when his family could no longer afford the R4500 rent for their Cambridge property.
At the caravan park, they are charged less than half for their little plot – R2140 – where the family has set up two tents.
“We have no option but to rent here, unless the government can provide RDP houses for poor white people,” he said. The family of four, who arrived at the park just last Saturday, said they planned on staying for “a couple of months”.
He told the Dispatch they needed a “hassle-free” place to stay while they sorted themselves out.
Another occupant, a 70-year-old man who stays with his wife, said he preferred to stay at the park while waiting for his house to be completed. He told the Dispatch he pays R2300 a month.
“I might stay here until the end of the year – it’s quiet and I enjoy it,” he said.
A worker at the caravan park said that there were also construction workers who stayed at the facilities for up to three months while working at sites around East London.
Raising their concerns at the Dispatch Civic meeting last week, Nahoon residents said the caravan park had lost its “festive atmosphere” because people occupy it for lengthy periods. Residents suggested it be revamped to “bring back the holiday vibe”.
Nahoon resident Catherine Gray described the present state of the park as an “eyesore and health hazard” in the suburb. She said it could be a natural asset and a protected area.
“People move in and stay there for lengthy periods. There are many fights at night (and) people bring dogs in to live with them,” she said.
Gray said the litter situation at the park was “out of control”, the grounds weren’t properly maintained and noise levels were uncontrollable.
Nahoon businesswoman Karen Henderson said over the past three to six months she had noticed the same people staying in the park for days or even for months.
“Is it not supposed to be a place for holidaymakers?”
Henderson said the park had lost its value and something needed to be done to revive it.
Ward 4 councillor Isabel Thompson admitted the park had lost its holiday atmosphere and was instead being used for permanent and contract workers’ accommodation.
“The park should ideally be let to a private concern who will make a holiday destination of it that all can be proud of and get the tourism injection we need.
“Caravanning is huge in this country,” added Thompson.
BCM could not be reached for comment yesterday.
User Login
