Fresh cracks in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have surfaced at the provincial level following Environment Minister Dion George’s recent visit to Mpumalanga. Originally intended to foster collaboration on environmental development, the visit has instead ignited controversy, with local leaders accusing George of racial bias.

George visited Mpumalanga to assess developmental issues at the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site (BMMWHS), a UNESCO-recognised site celebrated for its rich geological history. However, Mpumalanga’s MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Makhosazane Masilela, expressed disappointment after learning that George held separate meetings with different stakeholder groups on Monday, allegedly dividing them along racial lines.

According to Masilela, George privately met with members of the Barberton Tourism and Biodiversity Corridor (Babotic) without prior notice. Babotic, a project funded by the national tourism department, is an initiative of the Barberton Chamber of Business aimed at integrating tourism and biodiversity to drive local growth.

Allegations of Racial Bias

Masilela criticised George’s “unilateral decision” to meet Babotic separately, contrary to the initial arrangement of a unified gathering at Barberton Museum. “As the host province, we were asked by the minister to coordinate a meeting with all stakeholders at one location, and we planned to meet at the Barberton Museum,” she explained. “However, I was shocked to learn that the minister decided to meet Babotic at a private venue owned by one of its members without even informing me of this last-minute change.”

Adding to her frustration, Masilela noted that neither she nor other provincial leaders, including the executive mayors of Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande District Municipalities and the Speaker of Mbombela, were invited to the private meeting. This exclusion, she alleged, suggested a racially motivated decision.

“Why should he meet people of a different skin colour privately, and at a guest house belonging to one of them, when we agreed to hold one inclusive meeting? Is this not perpetuating racial segregation?” Masilela asked.

Rising Tensions Between National and Provincial Leadership

The minister’s actions have intensified an already strained relationship between national and provincial leadership. In response, Masilela intends to approach Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu to escalate the issue to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We cannot accept that a national leader comes to our province and disregards local leadership,” Masilela declared. “We will not accept that our people are treated differently when we are one nation.”

The situation underscores a broader challenge facing the GNU: balancing national authority with provincial autonomy while navigating sensitive racial and cultural issues. The debate over the development of BMMWHS has been a longstanding one, with previous Babotic complaints about the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s management adding to the tension.

Minister Responds to Allegations

Minister George has denied meeting Babotic directly, claiming he engaged “community members and private landowners” at “an independent venue.” He expressed disappointment that Masilela chose to voice her concerns publicly, suggesting that it detracted from pressing issues at BMMWHS. “It is unfortunate that MEC Masilela aired her grievances publicly, as this distracts from real issues at BMMWHS,” George said, clarifying that his primary goal was to address longstanding site management concerns.

George also reaffirmed his commitment to constructive dialogue. “I visited the site on Sunday and was deeply saddened by its mismanagement. I am committed to finding a solution for the community,” he said, inviting Masilela to meet with him directly to discuss her concerns.

The controversy spotlights the challenges of fostering unity within the GNU, especially when managing the intersection of national and provincial interests in a culturally diverse nation. As Mpumalanga leaders push for fair representation, the call for inclusivity remains at the forefront of discussions around BMMWHS development and other collaborative initiatives in the region.