Cattle Welcome in Mapungubwe National Park

[Dindingwe]

Just introduce Lions to the Park ..Problem solved

There are already Lions in the park, they even cross the Limpopo between ZA and Zim

[Richprins]

And buffalo? It is a disease problem...

[Peter Betts]

Why arent the lions DECIMATING the illegal Zim Cattle

[Klipspringer]

Conrad Strauss (Park manager) on FB:

Mapungubwe National Park & World Heritage Site is part of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL) and resemble the interaction of man and wildlife from time immemorial, thus what makes it unique throughout the world, and only one of two parks together with Richtersveld National Park that accommodate different types of land-use in South Africa.
The outstanding universal values for the cultural properties listed in Article 24(a) of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and identified for the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL) in the World Heritage nomination dossier amongst others are:
· (ii) it exhibits an important interchange of human values, over the time period between AD 900 and 1300 in Southern Africa, on developments in technology and town-planning
· (iv) it is an outstanding example of traditional human settlement and land-use which is representative of a culture that became vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
· Under Article 39, as a cultural landscape, it falls into the category of: (ii) an organically evolved landscape.
The interaction and trade within this cultural landscape never knew colonial boundaries and man-made structures like fences etc. in order to restrict wildlife and domestic livestock to feed/graze together within their ecosystem. The free movement of both wildlife and livestock existed from AD 900. Mapungubwe is therefore a live cultural landscape, which we all need to appreciate and enjoy for what it is, since each National Park were declared for different purpose. Together they provide evidence for a richly layered tangible and intangible history of people and landscape in this part of the Limpopo Valley that covers millions of years and places the MCL in historical and geographical perspective. The dynamic interaction between society and landscape laid the foundation for a new type of social organisation in the region. The site illustrates important interactions between people and the landscape. A key aspect of the selection of this site for the establishment of a major centre was the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers which, combined with the narrowing of the river, resulted in slowing of the water and deposition of soil. This Nile-type system of annual soil replenishment made it possible to establish intensive agriculture to feed a large settlement in all three countries. Both the ecological and cultural boundaries of the MCL extend beyond the Park boundaries.
The Landscape has evolved and developed over many years with cattle as integral part of it, securing the livelihoods of people living in harmony with nature.
The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area (Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe), which forms part of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape therefore represents the culture and values of people that lived in and with their surroundings. These cultures have therefore never been confined to colonial boundaries stating the case for a cultural landscape stretching over International Boundaries.
Cattle is therefore not an abnormally to be found within this cultural landscape, as it did form part of a civilisation that once roamed the Mapungubwe Valley.
We are constantly engaging with the Zimbabwe rural district council as well as Government through the GMTFCA structures to address these matters, as it is rather management interventions that is necessary to ensure numbers are kept to an acceptable norm without impacting on the ecological values of the park. The cultural value as well as ecological integrity needs to be balanced to ensure the objectives of the cultural landscape is achieved.
Respecting the on-going interactions as part of the GMTFCA and the people forming part of this living landscape, our position is to maintain the International negotiations and relationships and engage the communities without creating long-term conflicts which will have unintended outcomes of jeopardising the Transfrontier co-operations, ecological integrity as well as safety and security risks.
Currently the land use within the MCL as a living culture include Rural Communities and their livelihoods, game ranching, National Park & World Heritage Site, agricultural activities and mining. The presence of livestock is normal for the Maramani rural district and their only source of water is the Limpopo River, which is shared between the three countries, their presence is more visible during the dry season when there is limited grazing and water in the vicinity.
The riverine fence is an obstacle towards achieving the objectives of a Transfrontier Conservation Area as well as the ecological integrity of the conservation area. As part of establishing Transfrontier Conservation Areas, which enhance the ecological viability of ecosystems, these fences will all be removed in due course to allow free movement of animals. Moving towards landscape conservation rather than fenced off areas contribute immensely towards the health and persistence of any natural system, hence the establishment of such.
There has not been an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease within this area for many years, and the risk for that happening seems very low and manageable at this stage. Animals gets monitored for any signs of F&M on a regular basis during daily patrols and any abnormalities will immediately be reported to relevant authorities.
SANParks will continue monitoring for such and gather information of cross border outbreaks that might influence the area.
In the interim the park acknowledges cattle crossing the Limpopo from Zimbabwe in too great numbers, thus impacting negatively on the ambience of the park. As part of operations, SANParks have Rangers in place patrolling the 12km river boundary on a daily basis. They herd the cattle back to Zimbabwe as often as possible to prevent major impact on Biodiversity objectives.
SANParks remains committed and is enthusiastic regarding the establishment of this mega park and the many agreeable spin-offs this initiative will hold for the benefit of the park and the general public experience in the GMTFCA. All possible safety measures gets implemented to ensure our guests can enjoy the sheer beauty and differences of all our National Parks without fear or threat to our Natural Heritage. We will strive towards that delicate balance necessary to achieve all objectives within this World Heritage Site and the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape to protect an integrated Natural system into perpetuity.

from here:

[Peter Betts]

Out of Control ..Glad I was able to give my kids tthe real Africa ...as there will be nothing left to show my Grand Children

[Bushcraft]

Out of Control ..Glad I was able to give my kids tthe real Africa ...as there will be nothing left to show my Grand Children

Yes, I don't have grand kids yet, hopefully still a few years away but I have my doubts that there will be much of the real Africa left for them to see

[Richprins]

These cultures have therefore never been confined to colonial boundaries stating the case for a cultural landscape stretching over International Boundaries.
Cattle is therefore not an abnormally to be found within this cultural landscape, as it did form part of a civilisation that once roamed the Mapungubwe Valley.

In the interim the park acknowledges cattle crossing the Limpopo from Zimbabwe in too great numbers, thus impacting negatively on the ambience of the park.


So which is it?

And donkeys and goats?

And illegal immigrants/emigrants?

[Peter Betts]

These cultures have therefore never been confined to colonial boundaries stating the case for a cultural landscape stretching over International Boundaries.
Cattle is therefore not an abnormally to be found within this cultural landscape, as it did form part of a civilisation that once roamed the Mapungubwe Valley.

In the interim the park acknowledges cattle crossing the Limpopo from Zimbabwe in too great numbers, thus impacting negatively on the ambience of the park.


So which is it?

And donkeys and goats?

And illegal immigrants/emigrants?

In the same vein are the developments of hotels , conference facilities etc at Skukuza part of the CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

[Lisbeth]

Not quite, the cattle can be easily removed

[Peter Betts]

Not quite, the cattle can be easily removed

BUT THEY ARE NOT BEING REMOVED ..thats the real problem ..they are wanted ..to get rid of Colonialism