Shangoni Gate & Camps Kruger National Park

[H. erectus]

a protest letter to Sanparks

Lis, the protest will be directed at .gov for consideration.

I still cannot see how the opening of this gate will be of real NET benefit to Kruger .

Okie, Sanparks will not be a real benefactor here in the Net sense.
Rather more they are seen as a accommodating body servicing the
outside communities. Remember the "Connecting with society 2022
by G. Phillips, current CEO, KNP. Responsible tourism.

In fact those that attended the meet, me included, have great
awareness of a society neglected by .gov in that precise area.
My real concern is why should Sanparks bear the brunt of impact
studies beyond it's borders?? I refer to the hub and all tar roads leading
there!!

Blake Schraader clearly informed me that KNP finances/budgets cover only
projects within it's boundaries.

will impact on the number of entries and exits through other existing gates , especially Punda and Pafuri gates .

Indeed that was taken into account. KNP have their loss and gains
strategy in place. In fact I believe the tar road leading up to Giyani
has been resurfaced and a far better option so as to enter at Punda.

The new gate gives access to one of the last and most pristine areas of the park , and which for almost 100 years have been totally unspoilt by human activity . It should not be disturbed .

Indeed Okie, however the "unspoilt by human activity" bit I am not so sure about!!!

Basically the road already existing as a service road for the ranger.

The new gate will specifically give better access for a throughway to Mocambique

Not really Okie, access gates leading toward border posts more convenient
through Phala and Punda.

and specifically allow for such traffic to be a further conduit for poaching , and more specifically smuggling and poaching of elephant , especially of the very large populations of these animals within that region .

In this regard indeed Okie a very good point!!!!

All in all dear friends, .gov are looking at their sub-ordinates
to come forth with suggestions in as much saying it will secure
employment for the curator/employee in good faith,...
A subtle threat!!!

Sorry for being a stick in the mud Okie!!!

Nema sorely lacking in it's integrity!!

[okie]

My life's motto is as per Eccl 3:22 : Therefore I perceived that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works , for that is his portion ; for who shall bring him to see who shall come after him

[H. erectus]

Dear friends,

My submission asking for appeal, regarding this development.

For the attention Mr. Z. Hassam,
This is to certify that Africa Wild forum wish to appeal against the honourable ministers, decision in granting approval for the new Shangoni gate. The reasons for doing so are as follows.
1. Over utilization of state asset. Taking into account the purpose and intent, of providing better access to the park for the neighbouring community we wish to clearly notify you of our approval. The political intent aimed at improving living standards for the impoverished community, justified.

In isolation, as per all other developments, one would tend to see more good than bad in this endeavour, however in a cumulative sense this will place the KNP under far more strain than it can actually handle with regard to ease off access, tourist numbers, travellers to and from border posts, poaching, etc. etc.

2. Financial costs with regard to the tar road. With the current surge in poaching incidents it has been mentioned by the curator to endorse a further levy on gate fees. This for funding the combat against poaching. It is hard to believe that two major donations, in excess of 450 000 000.00 have been depleted already but clean audits will prove such is the case. Construction of this tarred road will be a costly undertaking. Instead would it then not be better a option to use this capital for the combat against poaching instead of creating a tarred surface that will be conduce for all sorts of other ulterior motives.

3. Tarred surface and the recent free entry at gates. This has been discussed in full detail on many occasions. It is a well known fact that such combinations bring with it all sorts of possibilities for all evil. To date I have yet to receive proper and concise studies completed traffic impacts from the curator, on developments that I have been involved with. The fact that most of the other studies can be seen as copy and paste products by practitioners employed by the curator on a private basis, traffic assessments seem to be a very sore point and the outcome thereof conveniently avoided. Once again this very possible because each development undertaken in its own isolated value. The cumulative situation avoided at all cost.

4. Commercialisation and PDZ(Periphery Development Zone). It is a well known fact that the KNP possesses a very powerful energy that has captivated many visitors and including its curators of the years gone by. It is spiritual by nature and has a profound effect on visitors of the park. This park has no difficulty in forcing down some kind of greater respect once there. A very rare natural sacred beauty to be experienced for those that wish to be influenced by it. Commercialisation probably the biggest threat to it in the sense of tangible values. Common values and standards will soon eradicate this sacredness merely for the sake of appeasement. A sense of being will be hard to justify. Many studies have shown the negative effects that commerce has on integrity and moral values.

5. NEMA and the trigger levels. It is very disappointing to note although the act fetches high levels of respect it somehow fails dismally when impact assessments are done. We feel this is mainly because each development gets evaluated on its own isolated circumstances.

With all said above, and taken up in the greater context, once again, the cumulative impacts will paint a totally different picture of this pristine peace of wonderland.
Mr. Hassam, I trust that you will forward this document, another one, same old, same old to the Honourable minister for her perusal.

Thanking you for this opportunity,
Fred de Groot
Africa Wild.

[Richprins]

Will add some later, H. Seems fine! Piece not peace...

[Lisbeth]

and another few errors But it's the content that counts

[H. erectus]

It would be so heartening to see comments by others
off the cuff, posted, post to any deadlines.

You have all been so very supportive!!!



I may just add, my efforts for the records only!!,

for if I did nothing,....!!!!????

[RogerFraser]

Looks good H.e.

Thanks for all the efforts

[Lisbeth]

H.e., may I correct some grammatical/ spelling errors before you send it off, please?

[Flutterby]

Thanks for your ongoing and tireless efforts H!

[Richprins]

For attention: Mr. Z. Hassam,

This is to certify that Africa Wild Forum wish to appeal against the honourable minister's decision to grant approval for the new Shangoni gate. The reasons for doing so are as follows.

1. Overutilisation of state asset: Taking into account the purpose and intent, of providing better access to the park for the neighbouring community we wish to clearly notify you of our approval. The political intent aimed at improving living standards for the impoverished community, justified.

In isolation, as per all other developments, one would tend to see more good than bad in this endeavour, however in a cumulative sense this will place the KNP under far more strain than it can actually handle with regard to ease of access, tourist numbers, travelers to and from border posts, poaching, etc. etc.

2. Financial costs with regard to the tar road: With the current surge in poaching incidents it has been mentioned by the curator to endorse a further levy on gate fees. This for funding the combat against poaching. It is hard to believe that two major donations, in excess of R450 000 000.00 have been depleted already but clean audits may prove such is the case. Construction of this tarred road will be a costly undertaking. Instead would it then not be better a option to use this capital for the fight against poaching instead of creating a tarred surface that will be conduce for all sorts of other ulterior motives?

3. Tarred surface and the recent free entry at gates: This has been discussed in full detail on many occasions. It is a well-known fact that such combinations bring with it all sorts of possibilities for all evil. To date I have yet to receive proper and concise studies completed regarding traffic impacts from the curator, on developments that I have been involved with. The fact is that most of the other studies can be seen as copy and paste products by practitioners employed by the curator on a private basis, traffic assessments seem to be a very sore point and the outcome thereof conveniently avoided. Once again this is very possible because each development is undertaken in it's own isolated value. The cumulative situation avoided at all cost.

4. Commercialization and PDZ (Peripheral Development Zone): It is a well-known fact that the KNP possesses a very powerful energy that has captivated many visitors including its curators of the years gone by. It is spiritual by nature and has a profound effect on visitors of the park. This park has no difficulty in forcing down some kind of greater respect once there. A very rare natural sacred beauty to be experienced for those that wish to be influenced by it. Commercialization probably the biggest threat to it in the sense of tangible values. Common values and standards will soon eradicate this sacredness merely for the sake of appeasement. A sense of being will be hard to justify. Many studies have shown the negative effects that commerce has on integrity and moral values.

5. NEMA and the trigger levels: It is very disappointing to note although the Act demands high levels of respect it somehow fails dismally when impact assessments are done. We feel this is mainly because each development gets evaluated in its own isolated circumstances.

With all said above, and taken up in the greater context, once again, the cumulative impacts will paint a totally different picture of this pristine peace of wonderland.
Mr. Hassam, I trust that you will forward this document, another one, same old, same old to the Honourable minister for her perusal.

Thanking you for this opportunity,
Fred de Groot
Africa Wild