WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2006: A two-day workshop of representatives of communities along the Wild Coast concluded with an overwhelming agreement to further explore the possibility of establishing a national park along the Wild Coast area. This event took place from 23 to 24 January 2006 at the Wild Coast Sun and was attended by between 150 and 200 delegates, representing communities stretching along the Wild Coast. “This workshop was convened by my department following a request for it by community representatives at another consultative workshop of my Minister and the Premier that took place last year in November” said Director General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pam Yako, as she explained reasons for the workshop. She further adds ”Consistent with principles and approach of Government, we will venture for a park whose very existence and benefits are rooted in economic growth, job creation and improved lives of surrounding communities. We remain convinced that for this to be realized, government cannot go it alone. From here our efforts will be premised on principles of developing partnerships, ensuring proper representivity and ensuring adequate consultations”.

Inputs at the workshop included case studies of surrounding communities at the Greater Addo National Park and the Makuleke communities in the northern parts of Kruger National Park. Representatives from these communities highlighted both benefits and challenges that are likely to be experienced in a process of developing beneficial relations between a park and its impoverished communities.

The final boundaries and look of the park will be concluded after further community consultations. The present planning domain spans from Umtamvuna River (in Port Edward)v, at the border of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces until up to the Umzimvubu River (in Port St. Johns). It is estimated at about four to twenty kilometers inland, including the already proclaimed marine protected area which covers 130 000 hectares. Participants at the workshop also expressed a need for the planning domain to be extended up to the Kei River.

“Technical studies suggest that the establishment of a national park in the Wild Coast is a viable and sustainable land use option. This is pertinent considering the national and global biodiversity value of this area. We should also keep into focus the fact this area was declared a Presidential node due its desperate and high levels of poverty” finally concluded Yako.