General discussion on proposed hotels in KNP

[Mel]

Aha... Almost 30% of the accomm currently not taken... But we do need more accomm facilities...
And preferably bring up the domestic black visitor rate with it... Does SanParks really think this
will be happening with a - for Kruger standard - luxury overnight opportunity? Even with the
concession occupancy having gone up - black or white, I'd still rather opt for them (if I'd be keen on them, that is)
than using a hundred something bed accommodation which is bound to be much busier than a private camp.

[Richprins]

Some 2011 comments from SP that make interesting reading now?

Worthwhile to read the first link too.




The editor of Getaway Magazine (May edition 2011) summed it well when he said “The only other solution is to increase central government funding for conservation"


http://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/new ... editor.pdf








Vestiges of racism haunt Kruger Park

By Fanyana Shiburi | Jul 06, 2011 |

It is sad that a simple, and clearly explained, strategic business decision to build new tourists' facilities in Kruger National Park has been turned into a bizarre racial mudslinging game.


History is quick to point out that no debate, of whatever nature, on Kruger Park has ever been without racial overtones.

I have read with interest and sheer disbelief at the criticisms hurled at SANParks for daring "to think outside the box" following their decision to build two four-star hotel-type lodges at Kruger National Park.

I am staggered, but not at all surprised, by my ex-colleague at SANParks, Salmon Joubert's continuous attempt to "rule from the grave". Since his unceremonious departure from Kruger Park, which he used to call "my park" (in Afrikaans), Joubert's behaviour and comments have invariably insinuated that no park director has ever been good enough to administer Kruger Park.

All his successors - Harold Braack, David Mabunda, Bandile Mkhize and now Abe Sibiya - have been targets of his irrational contempt and criticism.

But whatever venom Joubert has spit at all these men, they have majestically moved on to prove him wrong through their unquestionable qualifications for the job, passion for nature and their consistent success in their management of the park.

Joubert is yet to explain to us all just what is wrong in building facilities in Kruger Park, to cater for various markets, especially overseas tourists, who prefer hotel-type accommodation they are used to in their countries.

I am equally at a loss how the lodge, built at almost the same roof height as the existing rondavels in the camps, will interfere with the biodiversity and overall environmental management of the park.

Besides what Joubert and his critical alliances say and do, the truth is that Kruger Park has always been a major subject of racism and no attempt should be made to deny this historical fact.

For at least six decades, Kruger Park was the symbol of white domination and black exclusion.

This has been the experience of the people living on the borders of Kruger National Park and black South Africans in general. Black South Africans were never allowed to go into the park except as labour to the exclusively white management.

The few blacks who eventually managed to make it into the national park - diplomats of neighbouring countries and the apartheid-created black homelands - were only accommodated in what today should be correctly named "shame" camps.

These were poorly fenced enclaves that were kept apart from the other main camps. That none of these black tourists was devoured by predators remains a mystery.

Some blacks who truly enjoyed going to these parks, despite the humiliation and degradation visited upon them, would go as far as to appropriate white surnames for the purposes of making a reservation, which would lead to great discomfort for park management and the possible embarrassment of being turned away for the nature lover.

Another undeniable piece of history is that of one of the key by-products of the apartheid system, the systematic and government-sponsored impoverishment of blacks. This exclusion from economic activity is what led the new democratic government to introduce key policies like black economic empowerment and employment equity.

Though heralded as having generally failed, these policies have fortunately created hubs of opportunities for black people as well as encouraged the emergence of the black middle class.

These are people who are now ready with their expendable cash to go on holiday within or outside of the country.

The systematic exclusion of blacks from the beautiful landscapes of South Africa and economic activity meant that black South Africans developed different patterns of holidaying to those of their fellow white citizens. The favourite holiday pastime for most blacks (to this day) is to either visit beaches during holiday times or go to visit relatives in rural farm community villages.

For those who can afford overseas holidays and luxury hotels, the popular beach spots are most convenient and preferred.

Whereas white South Africans had got used to taking their children to national parks and nature reserves for holidays exhorting the ideals of "communing with nature", blacks were already communing with nature in their villages.

The ideal nature holiday for an average white nature lover is not an ideal holiday for your average black nature lover.

Something that one would often hear being mentioned flippantly, but which holds very true when we look at this issue, is that for your average black South African, camping or sleeping in a sparsely decorated thatched rondavel or a tented chalet does not hold the same allure because it just spells poverty.

Your average black South African does not find anything to be excited about in such accommodation facilities.

After all, most of them were forced to live in such surroundings during the apartheid days.

To these days, others are still confined to such. However, this should never be read to mean that this person finds no excitement in the beauty of nature.

This is someone who gets as much thrill from seeing the big five as being told about the trees, grass, plants and landscape as much as anyone else.

But these are people who would very much like to retire to a comfortable bed at the end of the day.

Less than 10 years ago, black visitors to South Africa's national parks constituted less than 10percent of the park visitors, despite the black population comprising at least 75 to 80percent of the overall South African population.

The numbers have increased substantially since.

This was obviously an important product of the apartheid system and a serious indictment on our government. I fail to understand what could be such a bad thing when Kruger Park decided to rise to the challenge of meeting the needs of the average local and overseas visitors, by providing accommodation slightly different and more upmarket, as preferred by some visitors.

It is quite clear though that this debate is not necessarily about the hotel itself or the over-exhausted cries of loss of biodiversity because the reassurances from SANParks have been convincing enough.

The real crux of the debate is about loss of "ownership" to something that in actual fact is owned by no particular person.

There are families that have been going to Kruger National Park for many decades.

These are some of the people who are comfortable in the way things were. They are not about to embrace any changes to what they know, and are used to since time immemorial.

They are equally uncomfortable at the introduction of a predominantly black management at Kruger Park and other national parks.

Shiburi is a journalist, a trustee at Ian Player's Wilderness Foundation and former public relations and communications manager at SANParks








http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/columnists ... ruger-park

http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=1684







Date: 2011-03-31

It said that commercialisation continues to be a policy of the Board that is based on sound decision-making.

The Board re-affirmed its commitment to the building of two (2) new safari lodges in the Kruger National Park saying that this is a necessary innovation to diversify the market of the park, general enjoyment and access to the parks for all sectors of our society.

In its deliberations, the Board agreed that this decision is within its mandate, pointing out that it is one of the key responsibilities of the Board to ensure continued sustainability and financial viability of the organisation.

The Board reassures the people of South Africa that it understands its legal mandate and as such would not preside over a decision which may lead to the destruction of the natural heritage of the people of South Africa. Nowhere in the world has an accommodation facility destroyed the ecology of a park. It invited anyone to bring such scientific evidence to the table.

The Board said it is less concerned about labels attached to structures rather than the key and vital issue of managing impacts against the sensitive ecology of the parks.

The Board also dismissed the false and slanderous allegations perpetuated by one Dr Salomon Joubert, a former employee of SANParks. It invited Dr Joubert to take the time to test his allegations and accusations in a properly constituted Court of Law rather than the Trial by Media he is currently conducting.

The Board would like to also announce the confirmation of the appointment of Professor Willem van Riet as the Project Coordinator for both the Malelane Lodge and Skukuza Conference Lodge. Professor van Riet is a former Board member of SANParks with extensive experience in conservation, landscaping and development of tourism facilities in ecologically sensitive areas. Amongst his achievements he has also been responsible for the development of the Berg-En-Dal Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. Professor van Riet will be responsible for all aspects related to this project and will be reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Mabunda.


http://www.sanparks.co.za/parks/kruger/news.php?id=1632

[H. erectus]

Some skeletons rattling about in a closet,..

Maybe a wurm im the woodworks,... or maybe
just mopanie scrub on fire in the dry season!!!

[Richprins]

Ja, times appear to have changed!

[Lisbeth]

I remember that I have read it all and also the first part by Dr. Mabunda, but now after 3/4 years, one sees it in a new perspective. Generally people speak too much and do not think that it can sound very stupid and even completely wrong a few years later

[H. erectus]

Generally people speak too much and do not think that it can sound very stupid

Did you really think that they applied conscience when concocting that
verbal diarrhea,...Would place them into context!!!!

[Lisbeth]

I think that what they said at the time they said it, they were convinced that it was true, even if others might not be of the same opinion.

[H. erectus]

Some serious differences at play here,....

Skuks compared to Malelale,..,...

A clear example of double standards here!!,..hah

A joke, 2 hotels with the same bedding space, ie,240,...
The impact criteria practiced here seems to be of a
differing footprint with regard to conservation!!!

But I guess this PDZ will comfort that lousy believe!!!

By example,...Skuks, subject to a hefty traffic report,
leaving IAP's rather thought full when Malelane
comes with a feeble throwback, amongst others, in a
specialist study not relating!!, Likewise a similar thought
falling short in the Skuks run-up, about A thorough heritage
introscape,..Yet at end of day there will only be one body
responsible for all these discrepancies.

[Richprins]

People may wonder if it is worth carrying on this fight against the hotels, as they seem to be destined to be forced through no matter what AW and MANY others say.

Well, this same question began to be raised after opposition started in 2009 already, and we are now in 2015, which says a lot!

SP have been forced to make drastic changes in their approach, cow down to independent assessments and Ministerial provisos, recognise media concern and public sentiment in their annual reports, downgrade the Malelane hotel dramatically, ...lots of things!


We have made a difference, there is absolutely no doubt about that, and have received recognition from media to Parliament to other conservation NGOs.

This is a great tribute, IMO.

In this regard, the tireless sterling service of members like especially H.Erectus must be mentioned!

Also dup and leachy lately, and many others even internationally, like Toko.

We are in it for the long haul, and the more we operate, the less chance their is for the other 4, 5, or 6 Kruger hotels/lodges to begin, a fact which should not be underestimated!

I salute you, Africa Wild!

[H. erectus]

I salute you, Africa Wild!

Indeed RP, thank you for the compliment. It was seriously stressed
who I am and more the forum that I represent. There is interest there!!

AW is recognized in this sense!!

It was a heated meeting.