Since the start of Ingwelala there has always been concern over the large number of units (209) and consequent usage and possible over crowding on the property and the need to judiciously use the limited natural resources and infrastructure.
This is both an aesthetic and environmental concern.
Background
Over recent years, the Board has noted a concerning trend relating to the increase in number of vehicles seen on drives and especially at unusual or good game sightings. Part of this trend is a result of shares of units being sold for traversing only and non-residential use. In some cases traversing is used by neighbouring farms for commercial purposes.
If this trend continues the potential impact could be significant, with non resident commercial users acquiring traversing shares on Ingwelala and contributing to over-utilising the property and resources. In some syndicates, there could be multiple vehicles in use on the farm at the same time. As explained in detail at the Information Sharing meeting in Johannesburg on 27 July 2010, the Board has considered the various impacts and a number of different options to control this undesirable trend.
Decision
The Board has agreed that, in terms of section 15.2 of the Use Agreement, to restrict the use of game vehicles used on the property at any one time to one vehicle per unit.
It will be up to the Members where units have multiple owners (or syndicate ownership) to arrange and ensure that only one vehicle enjoys traversing at any point in time. This includes multi ownership between regular residents and non residents.
As the majority of owners have only one vehicle this will have little or no negative impact on the majority of owners that use Ingwelala.
It does not preclude a bungalow or an individual from owning more than one vehicle, all it means is that while resident you only use one vehicle at a time.
Sibon hire and Cottage hire raise the exceptions.
Garaging
From time to time we appeal to all Members to review their personal circumstances and needs for what appears to me like a lot of “spare” vehicles house in the Workshop. Garaging is very limited and there are serious spatial challenges for further expansion.
We should be working hard to reduce our footprint and impact. This is again one of those times that I appeal to Members to review your vehicle status and consider disposing any unused or “retired” game viewers. You are welcome to contact me directly in this regard for further assistance.
If for any reason you are using your “town vehicle” for game viewing due to malfunction on your game viewer, please ensure you obtain temporary decals from Reception before traversing on Ingwelala so all vehicles are easily identifiable.
Indemnity forms
Related to the above concerns of utilising Ingwelala, the Board is also aware that there are a number of examples where non-resident users of Ingwelala do not always comply with the regulations stipulating that Authorised Users be present on vehicles whilst traversing on the reserve, and that the necessary indemnity forms are properly signed at the entrance gate.
This places Ingwelala at significant risk if an incident should occur, and proper indemnity procedures have not been followed.
Non resident users are required to sign a fresh indemnity for themselves and any family and guests for each visit, specifying the duration of use, before traversing the reserve.
Monitoring
The Ingwelala staff and security guards have been tasked to monitor which vehicles (including number of passengers) are on the reserve and will report their daily observations to Management. Management will in turn check to insure that the correct indemnity procedures have been followed and that there are concurrently no multiple vehicles (per unit) in use on the reserve.
Standard disciplinary procedures will apply to any Member not observing the above.
The Board is confident that the above steps will reduce the negative impact of multiple vehicles, commercialisation and possible over usage, as well as reducing the indemnity risk.
by John Llewellyn.