Africa Wild

Explicit! Well done, H.e.

Did consult Heloise van Schalkwyk,.. for a update regarding
developments in Skukuza,..the minister authorized ,....all just
seemed to have fallen flat,..a reply,...

Dear Mr De Groot

Kindly note that the decision regarding the Skukuza development was most likely taken by the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations, and not the Minister. The Minister is the appeal authority and not part of the decision making process.
I can however confirm that the Directorate: Appeals and Legal Review did not receive any appeals related to the Skukuza Lodge as indicated. Therefore if the Environmental Authorisation was authorised and the appeal period lapsed the applicant is at liberty to proceed with the project.
Hope you find the above mentioned in order.
Kind Regards
Heloise van Schalkwyk
Deputy Director: Appeals and Legal Review
012 399 8835


From: Fred de Groot [mailto:fredde@iburst.co.za]
Sent: 16 February 2016 11:35 AM
To: Heloise Van Schalkwyk
Subject: Skukuza lodge,- ref14/12/16/3/3/1/1282

Dear Heloise,

You may remember me, an appelant regarding the Malelane project
However this not the reason for my communiqué.
In the process, regarding the Skukuza development the honourable
Minister approved the venture however since there were no appellants
It would seem that all communication, regarding the matter, have ceased.

Is this normal and therefore could you please update me with the status of
This project. Has the green light been given, the final go ahead, by the minister?

Please if you could forward me the info and what can be expected in future.

Thanking you in advance,

Alfred de Groot.
Africa Wild

Interesting, Alfred!

Thanks for leaving out the email addresses!

Richprins wrote:Thanks for leaving out the email addresses

Aye but you are full of ......,...the reason I reserved a special place on
Suzies bull bar,...

Interesting this thread is our biggest "serious" one...approaching 20 000 views!

Fred de Groot Michael Wright • 6 minutes ago

Hah, Mihael, how dare you utter such crap!!!!

Where was Onne to be found in any of the meetings regarding IAP"s "Groenkloof""

Wake up lad!!! Your father did the bulldozing without Onne!!!

A media reply from SP:






Subject: RE: Skukuza hotel
The tenders have not been advertised and no contractor has been appointed yet. The plan is to appoint the contractor later this year.

Hard at work with a letter addressed too some meaningful society,..

Letter one almost pending,..

We sent out this press release yesterday:


Press Release 19 May 2016 : The Africa Wild Organisation

NEW HOTELS IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Africa Wild would like to warn the public that the impending construction of two significant large luxury accommodation projects is due to commence within the boundaries of Kruger National Park within the foreseeable future.

1. Skukuza Safari Lodge

This will be the first double story hotel in Kruger, with 250 beds. It was budgeted for at around R250 Million, using taxpayers money, in the 2015/16 SANParks Development Plan but our sources indicate the project cost has already exceeded the Half Billion Rand mark, and we expect prices to increase further as tender applications close on 15 June 2016. A large amount of money has already been spent on consultation work, and the Environmental Impact Assessment has recently been approved by the DEA, giving the go-ahead for this project.

Feasibility studies are largely non-existent regarding the need for such a development, one small online poll being instituted after the project had been approved in principle in 2009 already. We sincerely doubt whether such massive costs will ever be recouped given an inconclusive tourist demand, and are aware that the hotel could be privatised upon completion, a sinister state of affairs.

2. Malelane Safari Lodge

This is on a slightly smaller scale, a luxury tented camp (120 units) that has continually been downgraded since its approval in principle as a fixed-structure hotel in 2009, in a PPP deal with private investors and managers then. Government/SANParks spending has increasingly been brought to bear to support this hotly-contested project, as private funding has dried up, including a multi-million rand park-and-ride facility at the busy Malelane Gate sponsored by taxpayers' money, once again.

The project is different from the Skukuza venture in that it will be on undisturbed land far away from existing tar roads, and will require significant infrastructure and road development and construction in an area currently ravaged by rhino poaching, with all the relevant security concerns regarding construction vehicle access, and subsequent 24-hour tourist access.

Africa Wild has bitterly opposed these ventures over the last four years, and along with other organisations managed to delay the projects significantly through public participation meetings and relevant processes. However, Government under the guidance of SANParks slowly forges ahead with the ventures, and time is running out.

We would like to request media to assist in preparing the public for the shock of witnessing these developments, which we feel to be fast-tracked now in an election year.

Yours in conservation

The Africa Wild Committee

For further enquiries contact info@sagr.co.za


If anyone wants to use this, worldwide and locally, just PM a moderator or myself or RogerFraser for the email!

Kruger's Safari Resort postponed due to 'logistical challenges'
2017-02-02 08:40 - Louzel Lombard Steyn


Cape Town - The Radisson Blu Safari Resort in the Kruger National Park is still on the cards, but development on the resort has been postponed due to "logistical challenges".

This is according to Reynold Thakhuli, SANParks's general media manager, who told Traveller24 that "the project is slightly behind schedule due to some logistical challenges which are currently being managed".

The Safari Resort was approved in 2016, following a lengthy Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Then, following the approval, booking sites were advertising its opening for 2017.

But, according to William Mabasa, acting head of communications for SANParks, the opening date has been pushed out due to "discussions which must take place between the parties involved, in order to make sure that all is well before the development starts".

Mabasa says they are unable to say when exactly development will start.

When the development was initially approved, SANParks welcomed the proposed 240-bed Kruger National park hotel saying it will have the lowest development footprint in the world at less than 4%. The full-service facility that will be constructed on the periphery of the park at the Malelane Gate Precinct.



The lodge is meant to operate at a higher level than the traditional camps in the park, which serves the traditional self-catering market. In the initial fact sheet on the development, SANParks said that "international visitors are accustomed to resort-style accommodation in national parks around the world, and expect the same when visiting the Kruger National Park".

http://traveller24.news24.com/TravelPla ... s-20170202