President launches trust for biodiversity to benefit all
Government is working hard to ensure that all communities benefit from the country's rich and diverse biological resources.
LIMPOPO –Â This assurance was given by the President, Cyril Ramaphosa as he launched the Ha-Matsila Development Trust Project on Saturday.
Ramaphosa said the country has an abundance of plants and animals, which serve as a source of natural products, including cosmetics and medicine.
“They provide a great foundation for expanding eco-tourism in the country. Eco-tourism can be used to promote the economic development and empowerment of local communities. It can help to ensure that people living close to protected areas or who live in areas of high biodiversity, benefit from the significant growth in tourism in the country.”
Ramaphosa furthermore indicated that the wildlife sector has experienced noticeable growth over the years, making it a sector open to expansion, particularly among previously disadvantaged individuals.
“Entry into the wildlife sector, however, is hindered by barriers such as insufficient funds, inefficient land use, a lack of skills and experience, poor access to markets and the lack of infrastructure development support for entrepreneurs,” Ramaphosa said.
Overcoming these barriers requires coordinated efforts from government, the private sector and communities.
As part of its contribution, SANParks has undertaken to donate some 3 000 head of game to emerging wildlife farmers over the next three years.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife also pledged to donate 1 200 head of game over four years, and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency promised to donate 1 500 animals in support of transformation over the next five years.
The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has pledged to donate 1 000 animals to communities as part of the government support framework.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority has pledged 80 head of game per year.
On behalf of the private sector, Wildlife Ranching South Africa has committed to assist in unlocking socio-economic opportunities and to support the successful implementation of land reform and wildlife economy initiatives.
“These opportunities need to be developed alongside the acceleration of land reform, which is crucial for inclusive economic growth,” Ramaphosa said.
He also handed over title deeds and financial compensation to communities who have successfully claimed their land.
“We will be handing over a cheque to the value of R168 million to the Mphaphuli Traditional Authority for phase one of their claim. This claim covers a large part of Thohoyandou, including the Venda University of Technology and the Thohoyandou Botanical Garden,” Ramaphosa said.
