RUMOUR BUSTED
Kgaswane Nature Reserve is not being privatised
Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – Last week, Platinum Weekly reported on public outcry over massive – and in some cases extreme – tariff hikes proposed for North West provincial nature reserves, raising concerns about access, affordability, and the future of local tourism.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West has slammed what it calls “extreme and irrational” increases announced by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB), set to take effect on 1 December 2025. The DA also questioned the timing, given that MEC Lenkopane recently announced a R400 million investment into biodiversity management and infrastructure upgrades.
Amid this controversy, a new rumour surfaced on social media claiming that Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) intended to privatise the Kgaswane Nature Reserve.
To verify the claim, Platinum Weekly reached out to Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) on Monday, 1 December 2025. RLM’s acting communications manager, Odirile Madiba, provided the following official response: “The municipality has not privatised any nature reserve. We currently do not have any vacant/open land that is being sold for developing a nature reserve. The Kgaswane Nature Reserve falls within the mandate of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.”
Representatives from Kgaswane Nature Reserve confirmed the same. No – the rumour is not true.
Kgaswane remains publicly protected land under the custodianship of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
Photo: Kgaswane Nature Reserve — untouched by privatisation rumours. Both the Municipality and Reserve officials confirm the land remains publicly protected.
