Are Africa Wild and Others having an Impact?

[Richprins]

Sep. 13th 2011

I sense a bit of a feeling of helplessness by members facing changes/deterioration in Sanparks, and not seeing any results re. combating this.

I disagree, and feel the following are examples of where public/media/ Aikona outcry have had an effect!:

- One hotel was originally scheduled to have commenced building last month already.

-The EIA company tasked with the hotels has been fired/resigned.

-Parliament launched an enquiry into these activities, something which would not have happened without public pressure, IMO!

-There was no or very little controlled burning this year, as far as I know!

-After the "Skukuza Accident", changes to the fence were made and indemnity signs posted all over the Park.

-The alcohol laws in Kruger were changed quickly and effectively.



This by no means indicates significant improvement, rather illustrates that Sanparks are at least/last aware of Public Pressure.

[Lisbeth]

Also just a notion regarding this Website.

I see, for example, over 4000 views on BC's trip report.

Now assuming us hundred or so have each viewed it 40 times, that would make sense!

But I don't think so!

I have just pulled some stats on our forum with Google search. Since we've been operating there have been 1769 links followed here from Google, so people are arriving here, our job is to make sure they find what they're looking for and stay.

Progress !!!

Beeld newspaper 28 Oct 2011

http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/B ... s-20111027

By Elize Tempelhoff

Translated and paraphrased :

"The Parliamentary Portfolio Commitee on Environmental affairs chaired by ANC MP advocate Johhny de Lange has recommended that the department of environmental affairs reconsider whether Sanparks funding strategy is in the interests of conservation .
This is as a result of opposition by non government organisations such as Wessa & Aikona to the commercialisation of Sanparks , in particular the Kruger National Park .

The DA spokesman on environmental affairs , Mr Gareth Morgan , is quoted as saying it is concerning that government funding of conservation has been reduced ."

Thanks, Serval!

Yippee!

Not bad for a bunch of losers...or what are we again? I forget! -O

Now that is something possitve I hope they get the public protector to do some investigating into SANparks afairs x0x

Not bad for a bunch of losers...or what are we again? I forget! -O

At first we were "purists", who knows what we are now! :lol:

Good news of astronomical proportions!!

Progress !!!

Beeld newspaper 28 Oct 2011

http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/B ... s-20111027

By Elize Tempelhoff

Translated and paraphrased :

"The Parliamentary Portfolio Commitee on Environmental affairs chaired by ANC MP advocate Johhny de Lange has recommended that the department of environmental affairs reconsider whether Sanparks funding strategy is in the interests of conservation.

This is as a result of opposition by non government organisations such as Wessa & Aikona to the commercialisation of Sanparks , in particular the Kruger National Park .

The DA spokesman on environmental affairs , Mr Gareth Morgan , is quoted as saying it is concerning that government funding of conservation has been reduced ."

:) :) :) :)

... and that was a known fact,

how many years ago????

The only way change can happen is when differences are voiced. Keeping quiet has never changed anything.

[Richprins]

Roughly translated:

Complaints about Kruger can now be made Online


After numerous complaints from the public re maintenance issues in KNP AW forums have provided part of their site as avenue for complaints, with the advantage that AW members will independently verify remedial steps.

This is in no way intended to undermine the present Sanparks complaints procedures, but rather to complement them.

There are also other discussion pieces available on the new website.

Members log on and go to forums...needs attention etc.

Good results have already been achieved, sometimes within hours.

Many members are foreign tourists concerned about poor service while prices are rising.

This is a far more efficient and leveraged system getting action from authorities quickly and our forum members verifying the work..So much better than that infantile and 'duck & dive' ..have you filled in a form ..let it be known it will be the last you will hear about this' currently the official method to not do anything :D

Thanks, all, but others started Africa Wild!

RP, you know how it is, it's the members that make the forum and not the other way round and then there are some outstanding ones that make a difference

[Richprins]

FRom the SANParks 2011-12 Annual Report:



Media relations and Management
SANParks and its national parks enjoyed 95% neutral/balanced to positive media reporting as at March 2012. The most negative coverage was received in March 2012 at 12%, and the least in September 2011 at 1%.
The proactive approach when attending to issues has assisted in turning the situation of dealing with negative coverage to a more favourable status. However, it has been noted that the high of 10% in March 2012 was the result of a matter that SANParks could not control, in which four employees were arrested for alleged rhinoceros poaching, and the much-publicised strike in the Kruger National Park.
The Kruger National Park topped the coverage. SANParks recorded the second highest coverage and the third highest was Table Mountain National Park, followed by the Garden Route National Park, the Karoo National Park and Addo Elephant National Park.
The issues of most media interest were:
• The KNP safari hotel developments continue to be a contested issue in various online interactive forums.
• Media interest in the poaching of rhino in the KNP.
• Extensive interest in flooding in the KNP.
• SANParks Week 2011.
• Change in Wild Card management.
SANParks’handling of issues resulted in potentially contentious issues receiving neutral rather than negative media coverage.

[lowveldboy]

Sorry cant help but laugh at that last line!!

[Richprins]

On our basically second Anniversary, despite the threats of others and the naysayers from other sources, we have survived handsomely. Our original reason for being was and continues to be watchdogging SANParks and their commercialisation excesses.

The rhino crisis has befallen the Nation since then, and we have stepped up in that regard too, generating an enormous amount of funds.

From my side I would wish to thank every single member who has made the effort to join and contribute.

Regarding our core business, so to speak, the Malelane Hotel in Kruger has not materialised, despite repeated promises to the contrary from SP since 2010. Also, Africa Wild provided a forum for discussion regarding the Kgalagadi Cycle challenge, which was cancelled.

While a lot of fun is to be had on these forums, rest assured and be assured we are on the ball regarding developing situations.....check it out!


And yes....WE is the operative word here, I think.


Well done, Africa Wild!

[Mel]

So aptly put in words, RP - there is nothing to add but a convinced 'aye'

[Toko]

[Dewi]

I hate to say this RP, but we are simply delaying the inevaitable here. The rest of the World does not give two hoots to what is going on in the natural World. We are all just barking up the wrong tree. SANParks does not really give a fu-oops about conservation and neither does any other government on this planet. Just look at what has happened to any wildlife populations over the last two or three decades.
They simply bullshipt about certain causes for a while to appease voters then forget about it once the vote is cast. It's time to stop pussyfooting around and do something that will actually save not only the wildlife, but the planet and us as well. Shame is, we are too fuppling stupid as a species to realise that.

I've been passionate about conservation since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I've not seen a grasshopper since Live aid "saved the World." We can shout, sing and protest all we can, but the reality is, that the majority just want their primetime fix and muckyflocking D's.

Best advice I can give - go out and see all you can now - it will not be here when your kids grow up.

[serval]

Dewi speaks not with a forked tongue ... !

I wholeheartedly agree with you .