SANParks.org Forums

Thanks to everyone who is helping all of us understand what is going on. I am absolutely heartbroken to see these pictures. So so sad. Shingwedzi is my favorite camp.



Do take care and be safe.

Thanks everyone for the amazing pictures, so sad to see Shingwedzi like that, it's just such a great camp. Was there in Sept. With such amazing staff I am sure it will be up and running again soon... Look how quick Letaba got back on its feet after the floods in 2012. No doubt plenty of hard work will be called for.... Good luck to all with the repairs....

Thanks for the picture of the Limpopo Johan ... such a legendary river amazing to see it in "full" flow!

To all posting pictures and updates - much appreciated.

Thoughts are with the staff who have lost homes, belongings and have a long road ahead to replace and rejuvenate. seriously any help needed let us know!

I am so proud of the people who went in and rescued everyone. I cant believe the devastation. I know the North needed water but this seems impossible to imagine. I hope it can be turned around and repaired. SHingwedzi was one of the old and historical camps. If I was not so far away I would be there too helping. Still anything that can be done please let us all know.
Maybe donations etc?

This is so unreal to see the pictures of Shingwedzi.

Moreover as only a couple of weeks ago it was so dry there and now that - That's Nature and the power of water Gladly that everybody could be rescued I wish them power and energy to bring back the old charme to Shingwedzi so that we can enjoy same one day again.

We are all with you

Here are some photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65597679@N06/

From Facebook:

Michelle Van Der Merwe (SANParks Regional Tourism Manager)
what a heartbreaking visit to Shingwedzi camp today. A true miracle that no lives were lost. All the staff were taken their today in the hope that they can collect some personal belongings, but with no success. These people have nothing left! Emotional and sad to witness!

That is just so tragic!
but thankfully no lives have been lost which is what I guess we should be grateful for.

Hi DB and Lesego

Do the staff need help in replacing their belongings? For some, it may be the second time in as many years that they have been flooded out.

Is there an official fund ( SANParks or Hon. rangers) that we can contribute to ( via PayPal if possible) to assist staff in replacing their stuff?

Not sure if they are covered by Sanparks insurance.

Please let us know for those who want to contribute ( ESP those of us too far away to donate clothing etc ).

Thanks
Janine

Thank you cheetahlady, and the other mites here who have so kindly and thoughtfully offered and asked if there is anyway they can assist the staff and the park. We have passed these offers on, and will let you know as soon as we hear of any needs or collections or funds being set up.

SANParks has a very strict system of accepting donations (which we all can appreciate the need for) so we need to ensure we work within that, but we will keep in touch with them and keep you guys posted.

Staff in the staff village in Shingwedzi has lost everything. Here is a photo of the staff village during the flooding.





Staff had to be evacuated by helicopter.



All members of staff are now safe and are receiving trauma counselling. There were no serious injuries.

The people in the village have lost everything.

The SANParks Honorary Rangers will assist these people as much as we can. We have asked our Bushveld region based in Phalaborwa to take the lead in the effort. They will communicate with KNP management and report back on how we can assist.

We will keep you updated on how the public can assist. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Louis Lemmer
SANParks Honorary Rangers

Kruger rains should have dissipated, and the satellite photo below should be testament to that.

http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/clouds-high-resolution.html

Shame that is so tragic, I really hope that sanparks will get the assistance they desperately need im pretty sure if they asked radio jacaranda and SABC 2 for assistance in asking for donations forming a trust fund for help for all those who lost everything their would be people country wide who would assist, the park is one of the most treasured aspects we have here and no one likes devastation and that's what makes us truly south African cos when tragedys like this do strike we all do stand together to assist and even if their is still money left in that set up trust fund to make use of it again for future disasters

Thanks Lesego!

I phoned SANParks reservations this morning to book for our holiday in June. Out of curiosity I asked the friendly lady on the other side what is happening currently in terms of reservations. She firstly told me that it is quite sad that a lot of the reservations that now need to be moved are pensioners, who were making use of the discount from Jan to March. Many of them are now moved to times or camps where they have to pay more - which is a pity for them. I then asked her how future reservations are handled currently. Apparently they are not taking bookings for any of the camps that had access roads damaged for the next 2 months. And for now, one cannot make bookings for Shingwedzi for the next YEAR!

No - they are not taking any bookings to go and stay at places like Talamati for the next 2 months, ie you cannot book to go and stay in Talamati in Feb. I'm sure you can book now for Dec. They are probably just doing this to allow for the next two months for repairs to be done. And if all the repairs are done sooner - I am sure they'll open the bookings sooner.