Tours of Hangberg offered in a bid to uplift community
SHOW 'N TELL: Roscoe Jacobs on a tour
A community activist says he is trying to uplift the name of Hangberg by attracting tourists to the area.
Roscoe Jacobs says he saw an opportunity to boost the economy in the small fishing neighbourhood near Hout Bay.
“I started the Hangberg Walking Tours because I am unemployed,” says Jacobs.
“I saw an opportunity during the Covid-19 crisis to build on the local tour market. The plan is to assist in getting more people in our community trained as tour guides.
“And we would also love to become a stop on the Red Bus which stops at Imizamo Yethu and Hout Bay Harbour.”
He says the tour costs R50.
Hangberg is known for their ongoing violent clashes over housing.
In 2010, a clash, known as the Battle of Hangberg, took place when the City wanted to move residents to Blikkiesdorp.
The City broke down structures which reportedly were built on the fire break.
The community then went berserk and drove the cops out of the Hangberg area.
More than 10 officials were injured and about five residents lost their eyes.
“The tours will present a chance to tell our stories of our community, from the force removals in the apartheid regime, to the current struggle for land and decent housing. Our journey takes tourists through the streets of Hangberg and also shows the Informal Settlement known as the HIDA.
“Also they will be told about our fishing culture and the types of food we eat this side,”he explains.
Roscoe wishes to study a Tour Guide Course.
“The course will help empower others in Hangberg,” he says.