ON May 5, the CEO of South African National Parks, Fundisile Mketeni, and the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko, started delivery of food parcels and hygiene products to 300 households living in areas adjacent to the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.
From there, they also dispatched a further 800 hampers destined for communities around the other national parks in the region – Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks, as well as the Garden Route National Park’s Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness areas.
They were joined by Sundays Ri-ver Valley Municipality Mayor, Nombulelo Bixa ,and Speaker Simphiwe Rune.
The 300 hampers will be distribu-ted among 10 different communities bordering the different sections of Addo Elephant National Park – from Alexandria along the Eastern Cape coast to Waterford along the park’s northernmost boundary.
The impact of the lockdown on the tourism and hospitality industry in general has also affected national parks, which in turn has resulted in huge losses in income for the many families reliant on tourism and related activities.
Mketeni said, “National parks are not about animals only. Our staff and our neighbours make up a big portion of who we are and what we stand for.
“We, therefore, saw fit to come on board when the government asked if the entire nation could join hands. We all know our parks are situated in highly depressed areas and we as SANParks need to do what we can to assist.
“We know it is not enough, but it’s a small contribution and we will continue to raise funds even hereafter.” The donation is part of the South African National Parks response to Covid-19, through which a total of R6 million will be used to purchase food parcels, hygiene products, education materials and water tanks.
A total of 7 500 families will be supported nationally. Funding for the initiative, which is being extended to communities bordering national parks countrywide, has been sourced from the SANParks honorary rangers and the United Nations Development Programme.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all SANParks employees for staying at home, for staying safe and for exercising patience during this trying period.
“An even bigger thanks needs to be extended to our staff who have been working from home where needed in support services and those who had to stay behind in our parks and ensure the safety and security of our fauna and flora,” he concluded.
On April 24, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, led a similar initiative of the distribution of food parcels and water tanks to vulnerable communities bordering the Kruger National Park in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
On April 30, her Deputy Minister, Makhotso Soyu, delivered food hampers to 250 households living in areas adjacent to Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State.
