Africa Wild

Sharifa wrote:Sometimes it would be nice to get a clean, well maintained Rondavel

Haven't had the privilege lately.... in fact, can't remember when last.

Lisbeth wrote:Put me on the list

And here's another one for such list.

SANParks is paying close attention to what visitors say they want, while making sure that new developments stay in line with the triedand- trusted values of the National Parks.

This does not apply one iota regarding zonation. An absolutely unilateral policy decision applying not just to Kruger.

Anyway, the initial discussion here: https://africawild-forum.com/viewforum.php?f=191



Zoom in on zoning: The different zones and what they mean

Wilderness / Remote
These areas are essentially undeveloped and without roads. Controlled access: only visitors on foot. Could have footpaths where erosion is a problem.

Primitive
An almost completely natural state to be maintained; development footprints an absolute minimum. Controlled access: 4x4s, horseriding. Small basic overnight facilities.

Quiet
General natural state to be maintained. Only non-motorised access, but access not specifically controlled. Ablution facilities can
be allowed.

Low-Intensity Leisure
Small to medium-sized camps with basic facilities. Infrastructure should be minimised in order to maintain natural state. Motorised self-drive access.

High-Intensity Leisure
High-density tourism development node with concentrated human activities. High-volume roads, high-density camps with modern amenities.

Buffer
Land adjacent to national-/ contractual Parks. Activities with which SANParks is comfortable to be associated with and will promote.


This zoning policy has changed at least once in general, and once again in response to the rejection of the EIA regarding the Malelane Hotel, as per the thread.

The point is, SP hope that all is good now, as the magic zones justify unrestricted development within 2km of Kruger's borders, and also a magic zone outside park borders (3km), where they have the say regarding ANY future development. Unless it changes again using the sweep of a pen.

Try to explain this to private individuals neighbouring a Park?

This Zonation plan has NEVER been approved by the relevant Ministry, and I must stress that!

Hence the impasse regarding the Malelane Hotel at the moment.

If approved, however, it would give absolute Carte Blanche regarding any peripheral hotel development just inside Kruger, or maybe just outside, from Malelane to Nsikaze to Orpen to Phalaborwa to Shangoni to Punda Maria to Pafuri to Giriyondo.

Some concerning things have been happening lately, raising questions regarding the actual validity of SANParks' mission. I and many others are convinced the mandate of SP as a primarily conservation organisation, actually formerly one of the most historically respected in the world, has changed to instead being a simple commercial and political Parastatal extention of SA Government and our Nationl Fiscus.

Some Prime examples (There are many others):


The Skukuza Conference Centre.

This project was paid for by Kruger Visitors...environmental tourists, to the value of in excess of R20 Million. The justification was to grab a share of the so-called lucrative Convention market, despite there already being an abundant supply of such facilities in the Lowveld. It has been impossible to gain an accurate report of how much money this venture has generated since its completion.

The Skukuza Luxury Lodge project.

This is also to be paid for using Environmental Tourism money, in effect, to the tune of at least R200 000 000, already over budget, and likely to cost at least double that. More than Nkandla. Reliable surveys have indicated average tourists have little interest in this sort of accommodation, and similar luxury concessions in Kruger struggle to make ends meet.

Continued rhino sales from Kruger.

This practice continues, albeit at a slow pace, despite there being no reliable aerial census regarding white rhino numbers in the Park. Over 400 rhino have been poached in Kruger this year already. Animal sales form part of SP annual budget, regardless.

Shangoni Gate.

This project has been approved despite earlier denials from SP, and has officially been acknowledged to be part of a plan to provide easier access to traffic from Mozambique, which will have nothing to do with conservation.

Management Anomalies.

A disconcerting number of senior SP officials have been suspended or fired, or not had their contracts renewed. Lately the entire Board has been replaced, bar one, with nary an announcement by SP. Allegations of financial mismanagement has featured in many of these cases!

Sanparks do not even answer if you pose a question on any of the above subjects. There is a new board of directors, but they have not revealed the names of the members as yet. Why should that be difficult to answer, sooner or later the names will be known in any case. Maybe they think that it is none of our business

With regard to the PDZ, two kilometres within the park and three outside,
a question posed at Sanparks, since they were not present regarding hotelling
outside it's periphery!!! The blunt reply was that they would not have control
over such situation!!!

Now I beg of you some simple understanding of such principles????