R3 million budget for Sopa
Global scientists gather at Kruger Park
WITH a budget of approximately R3 million and around 3 000 guests in attendance, the Northern Cape State of the Province address (Sopa) by Premier Zamani Saul took place at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley yesterday.
The Speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Newrene Klaaste, pointed out that various issues affecting the Province would be highlighted during the address.
Klaaste pointed out that guests in attendance included members of the National Assembly (NA), the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the business sector, the religious sector, government stakeholders and entities, municipal mayors and speakers. The various political parties represented in the legislature - including the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Freedom Front+ – were also all invitees.
Premier Saul outlined key priorities for growing the economy of the Province in an effort to create more jobs and intensify the fight against poverty. Better education and quality health care
THE KRUGER National Park (KNP) is set to welcome scientists, researchers and protected area managers from across the globe for the 21st annual Savanna Science Network Meeting, scheduled for March 3 to 7 in Skukuza.
Representing a diverse array of scientific and conservation organisations from 25 countries, a total of 208 delegates will convene, with 99 hailing from South Africa alone, representing 30 institutions spanning governmental bodies, academic institutions, research organisations, NGOS and conservation agencies.
For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on Youtube for remote participation, as announced for the residents of the Province were also prioritised.
Klaaste said the address would also be broadcast live on several local radio stations and social media platforms.
“The State of the Province address will be conducted as a hybrid house sitting and all other guests will log onto the platform virtually, through a designated link, which will be widely publicised over the legislature’s social media platforms. This will enable broader access to the premier’s speech,” she said.
Klaaste added that although Parliament had banned the EFF from attending the State of the Nation address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Northern Cape provincial government was confident that there would not be any disruptions during Sopa.
“We have representatives of the EFF in the legislature but we have a relationship with all political parties. We have built relationships with members of the DA and FF+. The interest is not on the EFF, but for the Premier to outline the vision of the provincial government to our communities. There is no way any political party can disrupt this event,” Klaaste said earlier this week. by Cathy Greaver, the acting general manager of the Savanna Research Unit at Sanparks.
The conference agenda will tackle a wide range of ecological and social science topics through presentations and posters over the course of the four-day event.
Key themes include the study of ecological patterns such as animal space-use patterns and large-scale biodiversity patterns, as well as the understanding of ecological processes including erosion, predation, plant recruitment, herbivory, fire, disease and decomposition.
Additionally, this year's programme will feature discussions on cultural heritage, tourism, human-wildlife conflict, co-existence, the wildlife economy and wildlife crime, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation efforts.