The MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism’s, Vusi Mkhatshwa, recent announcement of appointing the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as the management authority of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site has sparked mixed reactions.
Some Barbertonians said the department’s decision did not consider the community’s and private landowners’ concerns.
The declaration of the Makhonjwa Mountains as the 10th World Heritage Site in 2018 brought hope to the small town’s community members, but now they appear to be worried.
Nico Oosthuizen, community representative, chairperson of the local business chamber, and member of task team for the site said, “On behalf of the community and private landowners of the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site (WHS) the announcement is noted with concern.
“This assignment of the MTPA has ignored the long-standing resolution of 74% of the landowners of the site, comprising the community and private landowners. The long history of negotiations on the creation of the heritage site and the agreements reached with the communities and private landowners with regard to the management authority for this site was highlighted to the MEC at a meeting with the landowners held on April 13.
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“The disregard by the MEC of the concerns raised by the community and private landowners and further disregard of the previous agreements to facilitate the inclusion of the community and private land into the site, is of grave concern. It goes directly against commitments made to Unesco and now threatens the continued existence of the WHS.”
Mark Ngwenyama and Oosthuizen were elected representatives of the community and private landowners of the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site.
In the announcement speech, Mkhatshwa said the MTPA has to submit a three-year plan within 30 days on how it will manage the site.
The MTPA’s spokesperson, Kholofelo Nkambule, said the agency has a plan to develop various tourism activities to sustain the visitor experience. The agency provided a plan dated for the 2021/22 financial year to Lowvelder. The list consists plans to launch the site, proclamations and buffering mechanism manual development, construction of gateway stop road map of entry, attractions and amenities, landscaping, signage and many more.
“The MTPA readily developed the plan for the site activities as outlined for immediate implementation subsequent to the assignment of the management authority in consultation with the landowners and stakeholders. The development of the buffering mechanism is in process and the procurement process for signage and project planning process will start immediately.”
Nkambule added that the development of geo-sites, research and wildlife photography opportunities will benefit the local people with direct and indirect job opportunities.
