Statement
issued by the office of the minister of environmental
affairs and tourism, marthinus van schalkwyk,
on the 75th anniversary of the kalahari gemsbok
national park, 19 september 2006
20 September 2006 - Statement
issued by the office of the minister of environmental
affairs and tourism, marthinus van schalkwyk,
on the 75th anniversary of the kalahari gemsbok
national park, 19 september 2006
New Developments Set to Boost Kgalagadi Tourism
and Development
"The 75th anniversary of
the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park provides us
with an opportunity to reflect on South Africa's
history of success in both conservation and transformation.
Initially established to protect wildlife, and
in particular migratory game such as gemsbok,
the park has in recent years expanded into a transfrontier
conservation area (TFCA) and broadened its agenda
to include community development," said Minister
Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
The park was first proclaimed
in 1931 by the Minister of Lands, in response
to the concern voiced by locals over the increased
killing of wild animals. The focus on conservation
remained a priority in the ensuing years, and
due to the park's location, as well as the migratory
habits of the wildlife, a collaborative relationship
was established with the Botswana government as
far back as 1948. A milestone in this relationship
was the April 7, 1999 bilateral agreement signed
by the presidents of South Africa and Botswana,
which united the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
and the Gemsbok National Park, to create the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park the first of its kind in Africa.
Covering an area of 38 000 km2 of pristine land,
the combined park is one of the largest conservation
areas in the world.
The abundant wildlife of the
park belies the image of the Kalahari as a barren
desert. The park is currently host to 11 000 gemsbok,
as well as other migratory game. It is also a
prime location for viewing a variety of raptors,
and predators such as cheetah, leopard, brown
and spotted hyena and black-maned lion.
In the words of Minister van
Schalkwyk, "The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
benefits the people of both South Africa and Botswana,
especially the local communities adjacent to the
park. The names of various landmarks within the
park reflect its long history as a crossroads
of many cultures, which over time have included
the San, the Mier, the Huguenots and the Scottish.
I am pleased to announce that plans are well underway
to create another access route to the park, which
will culminate in the opening of the Mata Mata
gate next year. This will incorporate a border
post with Namibia and ties into a broader tourism
development strategy for the Southern African
region."
The Minister indicated that,
" the impressive track record of the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park is likely to continue in the
coming years. The park has been identified as
a priority for implementation within the first
phase of the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA)
2010 strategy, which in an official SADC initiative.
The Mata Mata access road and gateway is integral
to the strategy, and constitutes a segment of
an envisaged coast-to-coast transfrontier tourist
route being developed for the 2010 World Cup.
As a tourism border post, Mata Mata will increase
revenue for the TFCA by capitalizing on the new
TransKalahari Highway, and attracting a new stream
of visitors from Namibia."
As a peace park, Kgalagadi's
goals include increased tourism and economic development.
The park has made significant achievements in
these areas, attracting close to 22 000 visitors
in the 2005/6 season. Since 2002, DEAT's social
responsibility programme has invested more than
R40 million in the park. In terms of local economic
development, 25 small medium and micro enterprises
were established through the programme. In addition,
the programme has ensured that 17 local contractors
benefited from its activities, during the course
of which 1201 temporary jobs were created and
7581 days of training were provided. Activities
ranged from construction of facilities to upgrading
of infrastructure and accommodation, and the manufacture
of furniture providing workers with generic skills
and experience that can be applied in other settings.
Most of the programme's beneficiaries were from
the neighbouring Siyanda Municipality.
The Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, South African National Parks,
Pick n Pay and the Department of Education are
proud of our Kids in Parks programme. The programme
provides environmental education to students,
in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds,
equipping them with the requisite knowledge and
skills to manage the environment. According to
the Minister, "Kids in Parks aims to enhance
cultural resource management and indigenous knowledge,
as well as strengthen community relationships.
Since last year 643 students, guided by 31 educators,
visited the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park from
around the country, covering an average distance
of 3460 km in 2005 and 1890 km this year. To enhance
the experience of these young people, the park
management established a youth centre. This centre
is due to be upgraded as part of the Social Responsibility
Programme."
With the recent improvements
to the rest camps and facilities and further upgrades
in the pipeline, the park will be more than ready
to receive both local and international tourists
who are arriving in increasing numbers.
