SANParks : A champion for conservation and our wildlife

LATE Environmental Affairs Minister, Dr Edna Molewa, was instrumental in putting conservation on the Government’s agenda, and was hands-on in getting allies to help in the fight against illegal wildlife trade, says SANParks Chief Executive, Mr Fundisile Mketeni.

“We are at a loss for words at her untimely passing. Minister Molewa was not only committed to ensuring species such as the rhino survived for future generations, but was a leader in getting all departments and entities tasked with addressing crime and security involved in combatting wildlife crime in South Africa,” said Mr Mketeni.

It was this commitment that saw Minister Molewa sign Memoranda of Understanding with countries such as Vietnam, China, Laos, Mozambique, Chad and Kenya in the field of Biodiversity Management and Conservation so that there could be greater collaboration between all countries linked in the chain of wildlife crime to combating this scourge.

Her work was, however, not limited to conservation. She was also active in lobbying to mitigate the effects of global warming at the United Nations, while leading the charge for the sustainable utilisation of natural resources as the country met its promises of job creation and economic growth in a country able to adapt to, and mitigate, the effects of severe weather conditions brought on by climate change.

SANParks’ contribution to the Biodiversity Economy which Minister Molewa was passionate about has seen national parks donate wildlife to emerging black game farmers across the country. These donations and the development of the wildlife economy are key to the Minister’s desire to transform an economic sector that employs thousands of people in game lodges, hunting, the game meat, leather and related industries.

One of her proudest moments was the sod turning of the R269.5 million 128bed Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park in February 2017. It ushered in the beginning of the development of the first of the SANParks-owned brand of Wild Hotels, Lodges and Resorts.

The tourism sector is recognised as one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in South Africa that attracts significant investment. Dr Molewa worked closely with SANParks, as an entity of the Department of Environmental Affairs, leading a number of public events such as South African National Parks Week, World Rhino Day and World Ranger Day.

SANParks, the custodian of South Africa’s rich biodiversity and national parks, has measured a number of milestones during Minister Molewa’s tenure.

Earlier this year, Minister Molewa witnessed the loading of the first six black rhino to be translocated to Chad in Central Africa as part of an initiative to restore rhino populations in that country.

In 2017, Minister Molewa celebrated the donation of wildlife to Erin Game Farm in the Northern Cape, which is part of the #Khomani Cultural Landscape that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

Another achievement was the downlisting of the Cape mountain zebra sub-species off the list of endangered species threatened with extinction at CITES COP17 in Johannesburg in 2016. The Mountain Zebra National Park played a principle role in conserving this previously endangered species and has translocated many Cape mountain zebra over the years to nature reserves and private game farms to create breeding populations.

Her love for rangers was well-known and she was a keen participant in the annual World Ranger Day on 31 July, or any other events where she was able to interact directly with those who spent their days working to conserve the country’s natural heritage.

But, it was poaching in the national parks that saw the Minister and SANParks play a central and leading role in the implementation of the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros in which the ranger corps play a key role.

“Her work speaks volumes and her legacy will remain with us forever,” said Mr Mketeni.