The dark side of African ‘green’ development

During our decades of work in community journalism, much of our work focused on the role of developers in the political realm.

One thing a reporter quickly learns is that people who develop real estate for profit exploit the dreams of politicians and buyers to cloak their own dreams of wealth to win approval of their projects. [That real estate developers are also the leading contributors to election campaigns also plays a significant role.]

The same is true when it comes to selling their complete developments.

And at a time when anxieties about climate change and environment degradation reign, what better way to sell developments to the rich that by enshrouding them with a mantle of green?

Consider the following from the Dutch Public Broadcasting service VPRO:

Program notes:

Climate change warnings are leading to large investments in conservation and wildlife management in Africa. But the ambition to guard nature and animals increases social inequality and creates green apartheid.

Bram Vermeulen is in Hoedspruit. This small town on the edge of South Africa’s Kruger Park has been transformed in a short time into a five-star resort, full of restaurants, souvenir shops and real estate agents selling a big promise. For relatively little money you can buy land and luxury villas here, amidst nature and wildlife. A paradise for those who can afford it. But what lies behind this green dream?

A Dutch entrepreneur is among the property developers marketing the ‘Out Of Africa dream’, particularly to Dutch buyers.

An African farmer breeds the animals needed to fill the game parks for hunting and pleasure; from rhinos to sable antelopes. And a militarized anti-poaching unit guards the green paradise we all want so badly.

But on the edges of the town, things are brewing. The staff who work at the resorts are tucked away in a slum. And there appear to be land claims on the land where the private game parks and resorts are springing up.

Thousands of black South Africans are demanding back the land they were driven from during apartheid. The land on which the Dutch entrepreneur is building is also being claimed.

Meanwhile, the private anti-poaching unit that guards the parks and resorts is embroiled in a war with crime syndicates that want to sell the horns of killed rhinos to the Far East for a lot of money.