Gavin August may well be unique in the extent of his financial investment in Kwakwani: an estimated $50 million to create a 12-room hotel, which he hopes will pay him back down the road, when the fortunes of the community change.
The native of Kwakwani commenced construction of the hotel in 2005. It took five years for the project to reach fruition. It took that length of time in view of the fact that his application for a loan from a local commercial bank was turned down, because even though he owns the land on which the hotel was constructed he does not as yet have title to it.
A mechanic by profession, August worked for several years as a marine technician on boats in the US Virgin Islands. He also disclosed that he has “some knowledge of the hospitality industry and customer service” although he concedes that owning a hotel is a responsibility of a different magnitude.
