Celebrating 2011 SA National Parks Week

THE country’s body charged with the management of national parks, South African National Parks (SANParks) will officially launch the 2011 SA National Parks Week (SANPW) in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park on Monday, 12 September 2011.

SANParks, chief executive, Dr David Mabunda said SA National Parks Week offers an opportunity for all South Africans to experience their national parks and develop a sense of pride which culminates to renewed and improved efforts by all South Africans, towards taking care of the country’s conservation resources.

“Through this project, we also aim at building stronger constituencies and ambassadors of conservation and the environment.”

The week-long celebration of free access to parks by South Africans will run from 12 to 18 September, however it is important to note that the “Free Access” to national parks for South African citizens runs from the 12 to 16 September. It is also important to note that the free access will not apply to the following area: Boulders in the Table Mountain and Namaqua National Parks.

Dr Mabunda said the week will allow all South Africans free access to most national parks. This concept was launched in 2006, to encourage all South Africans to visit National Parks, out of the realisation that the majority of this country’s citizens were not accessing parks.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive, Mandlakazi Skefile said with Addo Elephant National Park on the city’s doorstep, locals should try become tourists in their own town and take advantage of the opportunity to explore the country’s biodiversity for free.

“Addo Elephant National Park is an incredible gem in our city and province’s crown – it is very important for the locals of Nelson Mandela Bay to experience this National Park both so we know what unique assets our province has on offer, and so we can share this with visiting friends and family,” said Skefile.

The objective of SANParks Week is to cultivate a culture of pride in all South Africans in their relationship with the country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, under the established theme “Know Your National Parks” and the feature element of the project is free access to all South African day visitors carrying an official Identity Document, while scholars and young persons under 16 years of age, will be allowed entry, without the requirement for proof of identity.
It should be noted that free access to parks will not include any of the commercially driven activities in parks, such as Open Safari guided tours, etc, as these are driven as commercial vehicles to ensure the sustainability of parks, with some run independently by commercial tour operators.

“The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa and this year we are focusing on involving young people and communities, to cultivate a knowledge of the importance of conservation and an appreciation for the country’s natural heritage”, added Dr. Mabunda.

“SA National Parks Week is an opportunity to showcase all national parks as key and affordable local holiday destinations, offering a unique experience, especially for families. We encourage all South Africans to take this opportunity to experience an encounter with wildlife.”

The core objective of SA National Parks Week is to establish a partnership with all South Africans, towards creating a flagship international parks resource, which attracts both local and international interest, a product that  can be conserved for future generations.

The SA National Parks Week initiative has been supported by the First National Bank (FNB) since inception.