Hero Adventure Park at Heia Safari

[L.T.G]

So.... I just read this on Heia's Facebook page and thought I'd share ...

 

"Hi there, my name is Andy Dott and I am the new owner of Heia Safari Ranch. I have been in tourism all my life and was the founder of Drifters in 1983, well known for its' overland safaris, shops as well as lodges. I am also a fairly well accomplished athlete having done Iron Man, Comrades, Duzi, Midmar, Argus etc etc. I am not blowing any trumpets here, merely justifying my credentials for taking the stand that I have. I have also known Gaby and Heia for 30 years, and so I cannot think of anyone more suited to taking over this establishment than I. Over the past 2 years, I and a few other guys, have managed to buy up most of the land surrounding the Heritage dam. We bought it out of liquidation auctions as well as basically insolvent businesses. Heia itself was on its' last legs and might well have closed its' doors in a month or so. I am intent on turning this whole business around by creating a beautiful natural Conservancy over the entire area called Cradle Moon, with the emphasis on ecologically friendly adventure sports activities. However I cannot accomplish this by allowing it to be hi-jacked by mickey mouse operators with a bucket and spade who give nothing back to the environment and put no money back into the business of Heia. I am being referred to as the Goliath which is so ironic, as all my life I have been the David, and I have worked rather hard for what I have achieved. I am being abused over the electronic media by people who only listen to one side and I even had my car "keyed" in our parking lot! Please do your homework, find out where I am coming from, and watch this space. In time sanity will prevail and we will offer the most dynamic venue at a fair price. Thank you!"

 

I am now more convinced than ever ( not that I needed it) that I support Mickey Mouse all the way!

[Oxter]

If Heia Safari was bought by a "developer" with the intent to built housing, how whould  HAP have handeled this? would their lease be able to stop this from happening or what?

[Uni]

So.... I just read this on Heia's Facebook page and thought I'd share ...

"Hi there, my name is Andy Dott

Not on FB - did the guy comment on the fact that there's a lease agreement in place and he's not honoring that? Or the fact that Mickey Mouse won the case to proceed with their business?

[L.T.G]

Not on FB - did the guy comment on the fact that there's a lease agreement in place and he's not honoring that? Or the fact that Mickey Mouse won the case to proceed with their business?

Not Hero's page for Heia... Heia's own page.

And no, conveniently for him , none of that is mentioned

[Bonus]

Things are stating to fall into place slowly. There used to be lots of people fishing at Lake Heritage when I rode there but that was stopped some months back and the reason given was that the area was becoming more "conservation based". That was long before the current situation became known.

 

I've just read the comments on FB after the piece above and the owner is being asked about the court order in favor of Heia but has not responded yet.

 

I think this single point may end up being crucial in determining what sort of character/person the new owner is. Either he is ignoring an existing agreement and the court order enforcing it, or he isn't.

[xcd]

Not on FB - did the guy comment on the fact that there's a lease agreement in place and he's not honoring that? Or the fact that Mickey Mouse won the case to proceed with their business?

I think the the Question is - Did the previous owner ( Gabbi ) Have good intionion signing a 10 year Lease ? I also believe she did not even own some of the properties that are included in the lease. When a Judge makes a judgment he only deals with the evidence presented to him.

[Crave29]

I just find this post interesting. While I do agree that supposedly shooting the hippo was not the correct method of handling this, he has gone from "boycotting Heia" to purchasing it from someone he has known for 30 years.

 

I was keen to ride there, but I have lost all interest (sorry Hero, not your guys doing). Our company also had work functions there, but I will be sure to end that too.

 

And adding to the list now is Drifters and Greenfire Tours.. 

 

Such a waste of an awesome venue if this is how it is being tackled.

[Robrider]

I think the the Question is - Did the previous owner ( Gabbi ) Have good intionion signing a 10 year Lease ? I also believe she did not even own some of the properties that are included in the lease. When a Judge makes a judgment he only deals with the evidence presented to him.

 

Yes, and the system allows both sides to present all the evidence. So why didn't he have all the evidence, as you are implying? The judge is significantly more qualified than any of us to make a judgement.

[Bigdyl]

This guy has a history with how he handles his customers and potential customers, have a look at this thread regards his previous enterprise(although now sold) 

 

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/search.php?searchid=14352612

 

or search "Drifters never again" is the link doesn't work.

 

I have been to Heia a number of times, really enjoyed the trails Hero built, won't be back though if it means supporting this tonsil.

[IceCreamMan]

^{Sad state of affairs as I really like Heia and support it a lot. its a great family place and I do all the swims there. Speaking of which the open water swims traditionally at heia have been scheduled for the new season so lets hope.}

 

^{Having recently started the mountain biking thing I was hoping to ride their trails however at 80 ront a pop and I have to pay x 3 its too rich for my blood so hoping to get clarity on that.}

 

^{Hope Trirock Cradle happens too in 2016.}

[xcd]

Yes, and the system allows both sides to present all the evidence. So why didn't he have all the evidence, as you are implying? The judge is significantly more qualified than any of us to make a judgement.

Yes !! a Judge is more qualified then us but this was not a court case. Merely an application ! (All evidence is not produced until the court case ) Once the case comes to court and both sides present their evidence, will we only know the full story. It sounds like both sides believe they have a strong case so it will be very interesting. I really believe the previous owner holds the key to what and how the circumstances are.

For example: if you know your car is going to be repossessed because your are behind in payments. You can't rent it to someone with 10 year lease. (That will be ruled as a contract with bad intent. )

[Guest notmyname]

Sorry hero but I won't be supporting Heia any further. No fault of yours.

 

 

 

Ps: Drop Heia and sort out Kings Kloof. The masses will vote with their wallets.

[Fat Boab]

I just find this post interesting. While I do agree that supposedly shooting the hippo was not the correct method of handling this, he has gone from "boycotting Heia" to purchasing it from someone he has known for 30 years.

 

I was keen to ride there, but I have lost all interest (sorry Hero, not your guys doing). Our company also had work functions there, but I will be sure to end that too.

 

And adding to the list now is Drifters and Greenfire Tours.. 

 

Such a waste of an awesome venue if this is how it is being tackled.

 

Someone else's view of the hippo saga......http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:GQ0dSH4sDMEJ:www.davidbatzofin.com/2014/04/no-hip-hip-hooray-for-this-hippo.html+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=za

[L.T.G]

Sorry hero but I won't be supporting Heia any further. No fault of yours.

 

 

 

Ps: Drop Heia and sort out Kings Kloof. The masses will vote with their wallets.

Go to Hero at Hobby Park, across the road from Kings. (sort of)

Just shy of 40km at this stage, good fun.

[Crave29]

Someone else's view of the hippo saga......http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:GQ0dSH4sDMEJ:www.davidbatzofin.com/2014/04/no-hip-hip-hooray-for-this-hippo.html+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=za

Thanks for the insight. Still a sad state of affairs, but should've ended differently. 

[Guest notmyname]

Go to Hero at Hobby Park, across the road from Kings. (sort of)

Just shy of 40km at this stage, good fun.

Will go on Sunday.