A senior black manager at the Post Office said she was told this week she could not book into an upmarket hotel in Bushbuckridge because she was black.
But the hotel administration has denied this, saying she was prevented from entering because she had not made prior reservations.
Post Office administrator in commercial enterprises Nombulelo Malobola said she was shocked when a security guard at the Sabie River Sun hotel refused to let her enter the building because she was black. She says she then made a phone call to the hotel reception from the gate, and was told the same.
Malobola was making logistical preparations for the Post Office’s Stamp of Fortune Roadshow, which is due to take place in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, from October 23 to 25.
The roadshow aims to showcase the Post Office and the various services it provides in the different provinces.
”We had gone there to prepare logistics for that weekend and we started to look for a venue. One of our guys needed accommodation overnight and we also wanted to look at the venue. We had seen one and were unhappy with it. So we went to this Sabie River Sun hotel.
”We met two security guards at the gate who told us to our faces that we could not go in because we were black. It was really upsetting because at the time all the other white people were just made to sign and were allowed to go in without hindrance.
”I asked the security guard to give me the telephone number of the guest house. I phoned the guest house and the lady who answered the call told me that black people are not welcome at Sabie.
”I was very angry. It was totally unacceptable. I had intended to book for about 30 people who included musicians Mandoza, Doc Shebeleza and Solly Moholo who were going to perform at the venue during the roadshow.
”In this country I am free to go wherever I want. What has my colour got to do with where I go? Is my money any different from that paid by white people? Why should we be treated like rubbish?” demanded an upset Malobola.
But Southern Sun hotel operations director for the area John van Rooyen said it was most unlikely that such an incident could have taken place.
”It is impossible. We have black people who stay here every day and play golf here. Some black people own some of the time-shares at this hotel.”
Van Rooyen said both the hotel and the security company told him no racial remarks were made.
”The people who were allowed to go in were those whose cars had discs indicating that they were either staying at the hotel or playing golf there.
”The security requirements are for the protection of the guests staying there. But we are investigating the incident. We do not conduct our business with any racial connotations.
He added: ”We are in touch with the lady and we are still trying to get her business, even at special rates. We are bending over backwards to accommodate her guests. We are turning a negative into a positive.”