FRONTIER TIMES DECEMBER 2019 - SANParks
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FRONTIER TIMES DECEMBER 2019
KAROO AND WILDERNESS REJOICE AT KUDU AWARDS
Karoo and Wilderness National Parks were the big winners from the The Awards evening also included the Chief Executive Awards,
Frontier Region at this year’s annual SANParks Kudu Awards. The which recognises dedication and selfless efforts of SANParks
event was hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand in employees towards achieving the goals of SANParks’ mandate. A
Gauteng on Friday 29 November. The awards are made possible total of 29 Chief Executive Awards were given out this year.
thanks to our forward-thinking and progressive partners, First
National Bank (FNB) and Total South Africa. At this event, both The following were brought back to the Frontier Region:
internal and external stakeholders are recognised who have
demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability, Best Constituency Builder - Karoo National Park’s People and
improving livelihoods and achieving real change on the ground in Conservation Department, made up of Esna van Zyl and Jan Jacobs
our national parks.
Best Performing Gate and Reception – Karoo National Park,
The Kudu Awards and the Chief Executive Awards recognise accepted by Patricia Sazela and Markus Louw
multiple stakeholders as well as SANParks employees and
disciplines who play a pivotal role in strengthening conservation in Shield Award for Bravery – Jonathan Britton
South Africa. According to Fundisile Mketeni, SANParks CEO,
“Awareness of conservation issues is of vital importance and if we Best Performing Park of the Year – Wilderness National Park,
want to better protect our national parks either through anti- accepted by Park Manager, Sandra Taljaard.
poaching efforts or finding solutions to climate change we need to
educate and inform the public.” Congratulations to all the winners.
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Compliments Camdeboo receives and
donates water
Addo
We had an amazing time at Addo. The game drives, the Over the weekend of
elephants, the restaurant, the accommodation and all the staff 1 December, Evan
were amazing . Thank you. Rothman and friends from
Just came back from Nyathi. It gives you private access to the the Subaru Fun Run Club
northern end of the Park and a bit more off road experience in Port Elizabeth delivered
than the main park itself. Accommodation is fantastic and the a donation of
view was breathtaking. Can’t wait to return......all the way from
approximately 1 000 litres
Scotland.
of water to the Park.
Karoo Some of this water was
Spent a wonderful three days in the Park. Clean, neat, really
comfortable and well maintained camping site. Even watched
donated to the Midlands
a snake drink water from the swimming pool, was just too late Hospital which has been
to take a photo, but managed to do so just before it without water for weeks.
disappeared into the rocks.
Ek wil net graag meedeel met hoe beïndruk ek is met die Park staff have been
vriendelike diens en uitsonderlike netheid van die Park. Die distributing water to the
kampterrein is uiters gerieflik en die fasiliteite uitstekend. Baie needy since the beginning
dankie vir 'n uitstekende vakansie. of the drought in Graaff-
Mountain Zebra Reinet.
My favourite Park. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Clean and
neat.
SANParks Offering 50% Discount on Long-Stay Camping
South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering the public a discount of 50% on
camp sites in several National Parks for stays of 30 consecutive nights or longer.
SANParks already offers senior South Africa citizens (60 years and older) up to 40%
discounted tariffs on accommodation and camping at various times throughout the
year. SANParks Acting Head of Communications Reynold Thakhuli says, “This
discount will be available to all long-stay campers at the selected camps during
2020”.
“SANParks wants to encourage South Africans to explore their national parks and get
to know the natural and cultural heritage of the country.” Guests who would like to
make use of these tariffs are advised to e-mail longstaycamping@sanparks.org with
their booking request. All reservations will be subject to deposit, modification and
cancellation terms that will be communicated at the time the booking is made.
The discounts are available at the following Parks and Camps in the Frontier Region:
Camdeboo National Park:
·01/01/2020 to 31/03/2020
· 01/05/2020 to 31/08/2020
· 01/10/2020 to 30/11/2020
Garden Route National Park (all camps):
·01/02/2020 to 30/11/2020
Karoo National Park:
· 01/06/2020 to 31/08/2020
Mountain Zebra National Park:
· 01/06/2020 to 31/08/2020
The offer is available on a single campsite per night per individual booking and is not
available to the Travel Trade. Dates and destinations for 2021 long-staying campers
will be communicated on the SANParks website early in the New Year.
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Addo hosts beach clean-up
Addo Elephant National Park celebrated National Marine Week at the Woody Cape Section. The People and Conservation
staff partnered with the Conservation department to create a programme for 20 Grade 11 students from the Ukhanyo
Secondary School, from the neighbouring community of Alexandria. These students initiated an environmental club for their
school which shows their interest in environmental conservation.
The programme of the day included a brief history of Addo Elephant National Park and also the the importance of keeping
our oceans clean for the benefit of both the marine biome and surrounding communities. Marine Rangers spoke about the
Marine Protected Area and their duties as marine rangers. The group also had a beach clean-up which covered a 4km stretch
of coastline.
The day was a success as students gained more knowledge about marine conservation with the majority visiting the Park for
the first time.
Addo's People and Conservation visits J-Bay
The People and Conservation department participated in a career expo at Mentorskraal in Jeffreys Bay recently. The event was hosted by
the Department of Sports and Recreation. Together with SANParks they invited a number of different organisations such as Love Life,
Chippa United, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environmental Affairs to present on the
possible careers the learners could pursue within these organisations. The learners were representatives from various school districts in
the Eastern Cape from Grades 9 to 11.
The learners were divided into groups of 20 and each organisation had a stall with a different group of learners. Each was given a time
period of 15 minutes to present on careers and had a Q&A session with each group. At the SANParks stall the P&C officer and intern
presented on the various administrative and tourism careers. The research assistant from the Scientific Services department presented on
conservation careers and answered questions based on nature conservation.
The feedback from the learners was positive. Many were very set on what they would like to become while others' minds were opened to
careers they did not know existed. The event expanded the learners' horizons to career paths they could follow, making the event a huge
success.
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Frontier Parks celebrate long service awards
Hardworking staff were not only recognised at the prestigious Kudu awards but also at Parks level. Both Mountain Zebra National Park and Addo
Elephant National Park celebrated staff achievement awards. Long service staff were also celebrated ranging from five years to 25 years in the parks.
Lindile Mitiyo Nolubabalo Ngxande
-25 years of service -15 years of service
Nkosinathi Baliwe Agnes Noti
-25 years of service -35 years of service
Masindi Raselabe
Mbulelo Kima
10 years of service
-10 years of service
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SANParks Regulations and other useful information
The function of SANParks is to protect, conserve and control the
national parks and other protected areas assigned to it and that all
guests are subject to the conditions set in terms of Section 86 of the
National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) and the
National Environmental Act: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) for
the duration of your stay in the National Park. Visitors’ attention is
specifically drawn to section 64(1) (a), (b) & (c) which refers to
penalties in terms of the Act.
To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the
rules and regulations under the Protected Areas Act. Transgression of
the rules and
regulations as summarised below may result in prosecution and or
penalties.
1. INDEMNITY: Guests entering national parks will be required to sign a document indemnifying SANParks against any claim, action, judgment,
costs and/or expenses which may be made against SANParks.
2. IDENTIFICATION: Please ensure that acceptable means of identification are taken along when visiting parks. This does not only apply only to
the drivers of vehicles but all adults that enter or visit parks.
3. CONSERVATION FEES: Daily conservation fees are payable for every day/night stayed in national parks.
4. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE: In most of the national parks there is a possible threat from dangerous animals. In such parks guests may only alight
from vehicles in designated areas. No part of your body may protrude from a window or sunroof and doors should remain closed at all times.
5. THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT: Please take careful note of the speed limits applicable in the various areas of the parks. Note that not all roads
are accessible to caravans and/or vehicles exceeding a certain mass, type or size.
6. DRIVE SAFELY: General rules of the road apply within the parks. It is an offence to drive on South African roads without a recognised driver’s
license or under the influence of alcohol. Driving or operating any vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner or in a deliberate disregard for the
safety of a person, animal or property is a serious offence and can result in a summons being issued. Driving a vehicle in a manner that constitutes
a nuisance, disturbance, inconvenience or danger to any other person may also be subject to a summons being issued.
7. ADHERE TO GATE TIMES: Gate times must be strictly adhered to. Please take note of the different times that apply at gates and also camps
and lodges within the parks. Guests must plan their travelling thoroughly and make adequate provision for contingencies. After hours driving is
not allowed and could result in a summons being issued.
8. AGE RESTRICTIONS: For safety reasons some activities conducted in parks have age restrictions. Please take cognizance of these in order to
prevent disappointments.
9. DRIVING AREAS: Vehicles must remain on the designated roads at all times and off-road driving or driving on closed or no-entry roads is a
serious offence. In many areas, overnight facilities are to be accessed only by booked overnight guests.
10. FEEDING OF WILDLIFE IS PROHIBITED: The feeding or intentional disturbance of wildlife is a serious offence. By feeding any wildlife you are
potentially SIGNING THEIR DEATH WARRANT, AS THEY MAY BECOME DEPENDENT AND OFTEN BECOME AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS AND THUS
HAVE TO BE EXTERMINATED.
11. FLORA & FAUNA: No plant, animal, wildlife or any natural or cultural items may be removed from the park without permission. To cut,
damage, destroy or be in possession of any plant or part thereof, including dry wood or firewood is a serious offence. Importing of any specimen of
an alien or listed invasive species into a national park is prohibited.
12. VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS: There are restrictions to the type of vehicle that may enter national parks. Please take careful note of vehicle
restrictions applicable to the different roads and areas of the parks.
13. PETS: No pets (dogs, cats, birds or any other) may be brought into a park. Transgressors will be dealt with firmly, issued with a summons and
the pets will be destroyed. Guide dogs for visually impaired guests are one exception, but only in consultation with park management and if the
owner has the necessary inoculations and permits as ordained by the state veterinary department;
14. LITTER-FREE ZONE: Littering is prohibited. Depositing or leaving of any litter except in receptacles for that purpose will result in a fine.
15. DECLARE FIREARMS AT GATE: All firearms/dangerous weapons of any sort, any explosive, trap or poison must be declared upon entry and
firearms will be sealed.
16. NO KILLING OF ANIMALS: Poaching and killing or injuring of animals is strictly prohibited.
17. FIRE HAZARD: Starting or causing of any fire, whether it be intentional or unintentional other than in a fireplace or container purposely made
available is strictly prohibited and will result in a summons being issued’.
18. BEHAVIOUR: Behaving in an offensive, improper, indecent or disorderly manner including the playing of any radio, music system, musical
system or instrument, or in any way to cause any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person is strictly
prohibited and will be fined if not adhered to. The hindering, intimidating or obstructing of an authorised official in the execution if his/her duties
or the performance of his/her functions will not be tolerated and is subject to a penalty. Violation, refusal or failure to obey or comply with any
prohibition, request or instruction imposed by these regulations or by the management authority or authorised official will result in prosecution.
19. BICYCLES: Please enlighten yourself with the rules and regulations applicable to the use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes
for the park/s that you will be visiting as there are restrictions in some of the parks.
20. DRONES: The use of drones inside (and over) national parks is strictly prohibited.
Yours in conservation
South African National Parks
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