Workshop to map way forward for iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Rebranding iSimangaliso Wetland Park as a tourism destination formed part of the stakeholder discussions at a three-day strategic workshop hosted in Durban last week.

The meeting was attended by board members and executive management of iSimangaliso. These included Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, KZN Tourism, the chairperson of uMkhanyakude District, traditional leaders, as well as park representatives.

The engagement unpacked plans for the conservation and management of the Unesco World Heritage Site, investment and the need for collaboration with business and local communities.

Talks also delved into whether iSimangaliso should seek commercialisation to become
self-sustainable, addressing the challenge of dependence on government funding.

Reflecting on iSimangaliso’s performance the previous financial year, CEO Sibusiso Bukhosini said the park achieved 100% of its targets set for the 2020/21 financial year.

‘The big challenge is for us to continue maintaining 100% performance in the future. However, we will commit ourselves to achieving a clean audit,’ said Bukhosini.