The Blyde Riverwalk Estate, an estate with a beach-like crystal clear lagoon in Pretoria is allegedly charging residents and guest R250 to access the lagoon.
A first of its kind in Southern Africa, this 1.5ha lagoon, complete with beach sand was created by Chilean company Crystal Lagoons, and is part of the development by Balwin Properties.
Lmao that Lagoon at The Blyde is causing headaches for residents.., I’m so glad I moved… look at this mess 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/XlMXStEXuK
— Simphiwe Mnisi (@_thisisnotfire_) September 18, 2021
The Blyde Riverwalk Estate, Balwin Properties has defended its decision to charge more for lagoon access. Read their official statement HERE
Also Read: The Blyde Homeowners Association and Balwin defend its decision to charge more for lagoon access
Thandeka Ngwena, the short-term letting representatives at Blyde Estate, says home owners are in a bitter legal dispute with Balwin Properties, for what they say are unfair rules to force over 200 owners, who bought properties with the intention of renting them out for a short term basis.
In statement released on Friday 17th September, they outlined all their grievances.
— Blyde_BeachUnits (@BlydeBeachUnits) September 19, 2021
Nthato Raboshaga a Property Analyst was part of the speakers on a Sunday Twitter space, called The Blyde: People vs The Developer, gave insights on the issue that has caused residence so much frustration.
According to Raboshaga, “The Blyde Estate has been alleged by owners who run Air BnB at the Blyde, that Balwin has changed the rules, when a guest comes, the owners must come & sign them in, Also, Balwin is building a Hotel to compete with the successful Air BnBs owners run.”
In the space, he added the hotel next to the Blyde is part of the problem:
“There is a hotel being developed by Balwin now at the Blyde. What that means is that as an owner, that developer who sold you the property is now building another property that is directly competing with you. For clients. And that’s very important, and it’s vital. Because it would mean that the people who were going there and now a portion of them.” [sic]
— Siya 🇿🇦 (@siyayende_SA) September 19, 2021
#BalwinProperties @theblyde in Pretoria making residents and guest pay R250 entrance to the lagoon, anyone over the age 2 must pay R250 to access the lagoon! Residents have since closed all entrances and exits to the lagoon!! pic.twitter.com/2JnpeLIvNZ
— Thabo Mtsweni (@iamthabomtsweni) September 18, 2021
Owners at The Blyde Riverwalk Estate…. protesting peacefully in their estate for the R250 entrance fees for guests and residents. pic.twitter.com/yuuVWBZGlc
— kelbz (@Kelbz2) September 18, 2021
Tensions with disgruntled resisdents, the police and private security got heated into the evening on Saturday.
@SizweDhlomo tensions continued to rise well into the evening , Private security @247SecurityZA & Fidelity came cocking their weapons asking people to go out !! To which OWNERS replied WE LIVE HERE WHERE MUST WE GO ?! pic.twitter.com/sAypHsjE8R
— Blyde_BeachUnits (@BlydeBeachUnits) September 19, 2021
Not fair pic.twitter.com/nSRvOj3lFH
— EliteHolidaytravel (@Holidaytravel19) September 19, 2021



