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Dutch prince slammed for villa in Mozambique

The prince is among a small group of wealthy investors involved in developing a small luxury estate that includes 220 villas and a five-star holiday resort on the Machangula peninsula in southern Mozambique.

Oct 5, 2009 1:55 PM | By Sapa-dpa

Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands came under fire from some of his staunchest supporters on Monday for building a luxury villa in the impoverished southern African country of Mozambique.


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Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Photograph by: © Oleg Popov / Reuters
Credit: REUTERS

"It is most unfortunate to pick a country as poor as Mozambique as your holiday destination, particularly if you do so for privacy reasons," the chairman of the Orange associations Michiel Zonnevyle told the daily Volkskrant.

Orange associations, known as the staunchest supporters of the royals, are responsible for, among other things, coordinating local festivities and ceremonies marking events that involve the monarchy, such as Queen's Day.

"Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Queen Beatrix should discuss the matter," he said. "I would value the cancellation of this project enormously."

Balkenende, in response to lawmakers' criticism of the project, has said Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima would not cancel their plans in Mozambique.

Zonnevyle said the villa project has caused heated debate among the Netherlands' biggest Orange fans.

"I fully understand this," he added.

The royal couple are among a small group of wealthy investors involved in developing a small luxury estate that includes 220 villas and a five-star holiday resort on the Machangula peninsula in southern Mozambique.

Both the prince and the property developer, Panorama, have said the project would benefit the local population, since the construction of schools and a local clinic formed part of the project.

Critics however have expressed doubt, saying nearby villages would still not have electricity, water or sanitation facilities.

On September 20, Dutch television channel RTL reported that a land dispute had resulted in a shoot-out between Panorama's builders and locals in Machangula.

RTL said Panorama had claimed more land from local landowners for the luxury resort than previously agreed. The Mozambican army intervened, but could not prevent the incident.

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Oct 5 2009 02:11:22 PM
mcritic
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What is wrong about investing in Africa? Those people are valuable to the local community and create jobs - which ultimately would lead to better facilities and conditions of living for everyone.

The problem here is that the Dutch Royal family is seldom in the limelight and when they do something like this - it is blown out of proportion.

The Dutch royals have done much for Africa and also South Africa. There was a close relationship woith Anton Rupert and Prince Berhardt and Queen Juliana. Queen Beatrix younger sister started an extensive community support service in the Graaf reinet area - but rarely mentioned in the media. As far as it is known she is tstill invilved there..

However - there is one thing the Dutch know how to do - and that is to save money. After all Queen Beatrix is by far rhe wealthiest woman in the world - and she is so because of the general tendency to save and not spend money

The Prince must have seen some opportunity to have luxury holidays out of the public eye - while using Euro's and saving a fortune in the process.

Wise lot that family.

Oct 5 2009 02:20:52 PM
pws80
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Times, Noseweek has been running this one for months now. Maybe you should subscribe! :-)

What you neglect to mention is that this development is against the wall, and the Crown Prince will likely lose his investment to date.
Oct 5 2009 02:25:04 PM
Spitfire
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When will the western nations and businesses learn that investing in Africa is not a good idea.
Rather a villa on the Med or a ranch in Wyoming.
Stay out of Africa and let it go back to what it once was - rabble tribes murdering each other, raping women and children,
Hmmm come to think of it - it's nearly that already>
Oct 5 2009 02:31:43 PM
pws80
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Oct 5 2009 02:11:22
mcritic

You are right, but the issue is not really around the investment, but the NATURE of how the investment was put together, outside of the Princes knowledge.

the problems start with the bribery and corruption of Moz government officials in having the land allocated, and how ownership was structured, as Moz has a lease rule (normally 99 years). The developer is dodgy, costing some other investors millions in a separate deal, and building has basically stopped because of the shenanigans going on.

This is not in the times article, but in at least two Noseweek articles.
Oct 5 2009 04:38:18 PM
cynicaloldliberal
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how much employment will a rich man provide in Mozambique ? at least 3 full-time jobs which will probably feed 12 people or more.

the investment in the actual construction will be the normal short-term labour, whch the builders will be very happy to provide.

he will probably also sponsor a couple of kids to go to school.

whether he will train anyone is unknown.

so, let's deny him a villa in Mozambique and deny all these beneficiaries as well, because he is white.
Oct 5 2009 06:42:37 PM
Lobo
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Prince Bernard came to Africa mostly to drink champagne and f* around. They have done nothing for Africa, and little for Holland, where the Royal Family is allergic to any criticism, while costing the taxpayers more than 1 billion Rands a year. This Prince should take his colonialist imperialist project elsewhere. The local population will only benefit working as slaves. Sickening really, he could invest money in waterworks, his hobby/alibi for doing nothing.
Oct 5 2009 07:02:41 PM
Spitfire
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9 06:42:37
Lobo
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This Prince should take his colonialist imperialist project elsewhere. The local population will only benefit working as slaves. Sickening really, he could invest money in waterworks, his hobby/alibi for doing nothing.

Typical response from a loser - probably jealous as can be because someone is better off.
The west must stay out of Africa - no aid, no investment, no white man's muti and let it degenerate into what it was 150 years ago.
Oct 5 2009 08:42:43 PM
bart
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I agree with Lobo, these royal families cost their countries millions - look at Swaziland, look at the Zulu monarchy, and the poms take the cake. Rather build a modest holiday home in Moz and invest in a school nearby, why do individuals need so much to be happy - it's materialism which is driving this planet to ruin. For that matter wealthy celebs that come from poor backgrounds like hip-hop stars should put back into the communities they came from instead of living lives of extreme materialism and excess, and selling that false lifestyle as something to look up to.


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