Avatar photo

By Editorial staff

Journalist


Visit a national park, save our heritage

Attractions like Augrabies bring in more than R1.4 billion a year, according to Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul.


There are many jewels in the crown of natural riches of South African National Parks (SANParks) and we welcome the idea of opening up these special places to more people through the annual Parks Week.

Today, we focus on Augrabies Falls, one of the mightiest in southern Africa and all the more remarkable given that it is created by the Orange River plunging into a chasm which is, effectively, in the middle of an arid wilderness.

Attractions like Augrabies bring in more than R1.4 billion a year, according to Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul. It is the same with the other national parks around the country – they attract both foreign
and local tourists and create jobs.

ALSO READ: Kruger National Park: The gem in the heart of Africa

Best of all, tourism is an industry that can have a low environmental impact – even improving an environment in many cases – and which is sustainable, unlike our other natural resources, such as minerals which, once extracted from the earth, are gone for good.

That is why we must cherish these national parks and support them, especially as we share them with the generations who will one day lead this country.

Our natural heritage must not be destroyed on the convenient altar of political gain.

NOW READ: SANParks Week 2022: Don’t forget your ID when you visit national parks for free

Read more on these topics

Northern Cape SANParks tourism Zamani Saul

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.