Riverbed cycle challenge in Kgalagadi

[Lisbeth]

Thank you H.e.

[Wolf Avni]

Some very harsh things have been said about the honorary rangers... and with merit.

However, it's not so much the HR's themselves who are an enemy, but their leadership who are letting them down badly. We are beginning to get a picture that MANY HR's are not in favour of the event. More than that, although they too have been gagged and cannot express themselves freely, it is becoming clear than many senior KTP field staff, you know, game rangers, ecologists, etc, are strongly opposed to the event on the same grounds that stakeholders are.

The picture that is emerging is that the organisers have been aware from the beginning of the environmental issues and concerns... but that they intend suppressing the views of the ecologists... and prostituting the ecology to their marketing and commercial imperatives... As not much money is likely to be realised off this first inaugural event, clearly the intention must be to scale it up in subsequent events. THIS THING MUST BE STOPPED.

If to do that, the bad faith and cynicism of SANparks marketeers and tourism product 'developers' must be exposed, then so be it!!!

[Toko]

The crux is: We don't know anything about the views of any ecologists

And SANParks has "taken note of all the issues raised and is in the process of reviewing the suggestions given on the forum"

Reynold Thakhuli General Manager: Media, Events & Stakeholder Relations on SPF

[annie]

Another interesting thread is playing out on Wegry's webpage under the heading "Verloor Sanparke nou kop?" (Is Sanparks losing its mind?) For those who read Afrikaans it's another interesting debate... see it at http://www.wegry.co.za/forum/showthread ... NParke-kop

[Flutterby]

Tx Annie.

[RobertT]

The crux is: We don't know anything about the views of any ecologists

And SANParks has "taken note of all the issues raised and is in the process of reviewing the suggestions given on the forum"

Reynold Thakhuli General Manager: Media, Events & Stakeholder Relations on SPF

Unfortunately I think this is done to let things cool down and things just to quieten. I hope they do change their plans, but my personal opnion is it is not going to change (they haven't listened for years, why should it be different now), it is already planned into the bigger picture of events happening.
The other is if they change things and admit they could be wrong, what does it say about the other projects like hotels etc.

[iNdlovu]

Good points RoberT, one of the strategies of SanParks management under Mabunda is to play this exact game.......drop some hair brained scheme into the picture which they have already decided on and when public reaction is against their garbage, they go quiet and then simply action it all under the table.
The worst part is that the minister of environmental affairs goes along with most of their ill conceived plans, so she is not really someone the public can turn to.
Major frustration.

[Richprins]

The Minister postponed the Malelane Hotel due to inadequate EIA, for example...

So let's see!

[dup]

SANParks is playing it very safe , they gain the following;

- if this event goes on ,it shows their support for the HR's,remember it is inherit (HR) from the old day's.
- if it is stopped, it shows SANParks is really concern about certain issues .This action can help in future dilemma's.
etc..etc..

[iNdlovu]

If this event happens, they will be showing their contempt for the public in this country and all those that hold our parks dear. Do they care