Driving along the R74 by the Oliviershoek Pass, it is alarming to witness the collapse of culverts beneath the road, a problem that has persisted for over three years. These deteriorating structures not only threaten the integrity of the road but also pose significant risks to drivers.

The majestic peaks of the Drakensberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and cornerstone of KwaZulu-Natal’s domestic tourism, are currently framed by a crumbling reality: a road network in a severe state of disrepair.

For the hospitality businesses nestled in its valleys, this isn't just an inconvenience; it’s a threat, actively deterring visitors, compromising safety daily, and hitting the very foundation of the region’s economy.

Brett Tungay, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), describes the impact as “significant and multi-layered”.

“Poor road conditions directly affect accessibility, discouraging self-drive travellers, increasing travel times, and deterring repeat visits. For hospitality businesses in rural areas, this translates into reduced occupancy, shorter stays, cancelled bookings, and lower overall revenue,” Tungay said.

Driving along the R600 between Winterton and the N3, the reality of these massive potholes becomes clear. This vital access road to the Drakensberg Mountains is not just a route; it’s a lifeline for tourism and local businesses. Every bump and swerve poses a risk to drivers and their vehicles.

He noted that the consequences ripple out to operational costs, where “suppliers, staff, and emergency services struggle to access properties, while vehicle maintenance costs increase”.

In a province where domestic tourism is a vital lifeline, deteriorating infrastructure is actively undermining competitiveness.

Tungay stresses that beyond immediate commercial concerns, the neglect “also erodes investor confidence, limits product development, and weakens the ability of smaller, community-based tourism enterprises to participate meaningfully in the tourism value chain”.

The hospitality industry is unified in its call for action. “From an industry perspective, what is needed is a more coordinated and accountable approach to infrastructure maintenance and investment,” Tungay concluded, adding that “without reliable road infrastructure, efforts to grow tourism, stimulate rural economies, and create jobs will remain constrained”.

Source: https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-02-drakensberg-roads-a-tourism-time-bomb/