Africa Wild

Another SANParks' contribution to government's mandate towards social development:

SANparks contributes in supporting early childhood development

The above:




MATSULU – As part of SANParks Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, the Kruger National Park (KNP)’s Managing Executive, Mr Abe Sibiya officially handed over a jungle gym to Pre-School learners of Takheleni Primary School at Matsulu Village on Friday.

Sibiya said that the park’s support for neighbouring communities included providing infrastructure and related resources in areas of education, youth development, health and other identified needs.

“It is for the very fact that we are donating this playing equipment,”he said.

In addition to that, he mentioned that KNP’s People and Conservation Department have programmes such as environmental education and kids in parks where learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are given free access to the parks and learn more about nature conservation.

“A percentage of community levy is charged on all reservations for accommodation and activities in order to fund projects that support the surrounding communities.

That is done in order to improve their lives by creating health and education facilities. We also assist in creating water and sanitation projects in communities bordering our parks,” said Sibiya.

During the same event, SANParks officials also conducted a sod-turning ceremony for a kitchen block which is also part of the donation to Takhelani Pre-School. Construction will commence soon.

In 2012, SANParks launched its new vision which says “Connecting to Society” as a strategy to reach out to communities and ultimately contribute to the government’s mandate towards social development.

“Just last year in 2013, we donated an administration block at Dumisani High School, a village outside Kruger Gate and a Computer Laboratory at Masiza High School in Phalaborwa.” concluded Sibiya.


I wonder what the grand total is that is generated from the "community" levy every year? Shouldn't ALL of it be spent on projects?

These little projects are very good PR, and clearly evenly distributed around Kruger's denser border areas. Hopefully it is an attempt to make the community aware of the benefits of having SANParks at their doorstep? But surely that is being addresed by the the existing "programmes such as environmental education and kids in parks.", which have been going on for years?

If one were to be more sinister, one may say that these are just "sugar coating" projects", while most of the money goes elsewhere?

Richprins wrote:If one were to be more sinister, one may say that these are just "sugar coating" projects", while most of the money goes elsewhere?

Well to begin with, there is up-coming a general election!!!

Our democracy entitles us to transparency then call for a public audit
on both books, ,...

In all fairness I have no gripe with Sanparks getting involved with emmediate
communities bordering in fact I respect that very much so!!!!,,, However,..

Local fraternity must clearly understand that Sanparks are willingly opening their
arms to local community in support and I iterate,....must clearly make it understood
that the fences are not coming down to suit that local population!!!

This is where the commercialization strategy falters, with all due respect leaving
great big loopholes for abuse, from both sides!!!

The world out there must clearly understand that these
last few bastions of nature are not for common
deliberation, therefore cannot be maligned with financial
issues and even social/political issues!!!

It should be seen as a circumstance way apart from our
personal issues! In fact these bastions of nature should
be seen as a place where all hotheads can get together,
resolve and leave in peace, the sanctuary, "their playground"
untouched and intact!!!,....

This is scary:

Mr Sibiya explained that currently SANParks employed about 12 000 people and were hoping to employ even more taking into account immediate projects. SANParks was also looking at adding two lodges which would add to the staff complement under the expanded public works project.


http://www.pmg.org.za/report/20140701-d ... tland-park

The EPW is a grand government project promised before the elections, mostly with temporary jobs.

Why on earth a conservation organisation should spend tourist money to support this, or link to this, while Rome is burning, proverbially, is beyond me?

The two lodges would be the two hotels in Kruger, or maybe one in KTP?

Interestingly, latest developments indicate that the Skukuza "Lodge" may one day be privatised, and Malelane will not be a SP project...

Well, if it was already admitted at the last meeting at Groenkloef that the to-be-built lodge might be privatised,
I reckon, this is as good as a definite answer to the privatising aspect.

Malelane will we community-owned by a percentage.

Talking about job creation.

That's the important question for all these PPPs and the Skukza hotel, how many local jobs (permant and only for construction phase) will be created

Is there any info available?

Calrson will run Malelane with local stuff mainly?

SANParks will run Skukuza or will outsource?