RHEENENDAL NEWS - Residents say they are being left behind as delays in approving a much-needed retail development continue to limit access to basic goods and services.
At the centre of the issue is a proposed U-Save Shoprite, which many in the community view as essential to improving access to affordable food.
"We are not asking for luxuries. For us, the development is not about convenience, but survival. We are asking for fair prices and the ability to feed our families without paying more than we should," community members say.
Lack of basic services
Rheenendal currently lacks key infrastructure, including a petrol station, a full-service supermarket and significant commercial investment. In its absence, residents rely on small local outlets that, according to complaints, often charge inflated prices, offer inconsistent quality and, in some cases, sell expired goods.
The lack of local options forces many to travel outside the area for basic necessities. With fuel and transport costs rising, the financial strain is increasing, leaving households to cut back on food and other essentials.
Rising costs add pressure
The situation has been worsened by the recent fuel price tensions. Negotiations led by the Rheenendal Unite Community Forum (RUCF) have resulted in a reduced R2 increase in petrol prices, down from a proposed R4 hike.
Josephine Williams, secretary of RUCF, said these combined pressures are affecting not only households but also the broader local economy.
Many residents work in Knysna's tourism and service sectors, including hotels, restaurants and construction.
"There is a direct link between these conditions and how people are able to show up for work. When basic needs become a daily struggle, everything else suffers," she said.
For many in Rheenendal, the proposed Shoprite development represents more than a retail outlet. It is viewed as a catalyst for job creation, fair pricing and improved economic stability in the area.
Municipal response
In response to queries, Knysna Municipality confirmed that the application remains under review. Hennie Smit, manager for Land Use Management, said the process is governed by the municipality's Spatial Planning and Land Use Management by-law.
"The municipality is awaiting a response from the applicant on comments received on the application. Once a satisfactory response has been received, the municipality will be in a position to move forward with the application to the assessment stage," Smit said.
Call for urgency
While the municipality maintains that due process must be followed, residents argue that delays are not without consequence. As frustration grows, the community is calling for greater urgency and decisive action, saying the time for intervention is long overdue.
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