SANParks.org Forums

Pretoria: Following a yearlong challenge with the issuing of Wild Cards to loyal nature lovers, South African National Parks (SANParks) has come clean and offered an apology to hundreds of the Wild Card members.

Read here for more...

Thanks Lesego for pointing out the article

The part I found amusing was this:

To promote customer service excellence the Wild Card programme is launching the WildStar competition, inviting members to nominate staff who provide great service related to the card.
“The WildStar competition will reward staff who are singled out, as well as a member of the public who nominated their WildStar,” Phillips said.

I must give them credit for the appology even though it does not address the reason why there is such a delay. The excuse that details were incorrect was just a part of the problem, because why is it when I renewed I gave all my details then and there and then had to go home and even do it again on the sanspark site, if I gave it once why must I do it again. So Mr Phillips I nominate you because you are the first to really try to give us an appology, and as I have stated elsewhre as long as I am able to use my piece of paper I'm OK with it.

Lesego,

I do not find any reference in the link on the renewal of the New Wild card. The system for renewals did not work in October 2011 resulting in new numbers being issued and thereby a duplicate system. When will the system be ready to process renewals, because most cards will start expiring after a year since the launch in October 2010. So far Wild card members with expired cards had no option to renew.

Thanks SANParks for your feedback (apology) about the ongoing Wild Card saga.
They say hindsight is 20/20, but the rush and fanfare with which the takeover was introduced last year was asking for trouble.

However, time to move on and we eagerly await the new systems being integrated.

Hopefully in the future the system will be utilised to contain our client numbers and from that, reservation information. Then check in at gates and receptions can be done with the swipe of a card. Just think of all the trees that can be saved!

One concern has not been answered, what is the process regarding renewal of new cards. Will we get another piece of paper? Will our new card be recognised with the renewal when we book in at reception?
I am particularly concerned about this as my membership is due for renewal on 15th December. the 16th is a public holiday, so it gives me only 5 working days to sort out any problems before our trip on 26th.

Lesego, my card is due for renewal again soon. I have not yet received a new card. I would like to have it safely tucked away in my pocket before my December trip. If I pop into Groenkloof next month and pay my dues, would I be issued with a new card immediately, or would I have another postal wait?

When I renewed in the old system, the card was placed into a card reader and updated and I always kept the same number, it took fifteen minutes at the most. I would assume this will be the case with the new system or is it?

Shot Lesego and tanx for the Apology SANParks.
Will renew my card at Shingwedsi on the 17/12/2011

MM, I think I can answer this one.



Taken from here

Your name is on the card and can only be printed using specialised equipment that the parks do not have.

Everyone else. I've asked about the renewals and I've told them the renewal process has errored. If they have your contact details they will get back to you, if not please use the contact form or email address that is on the main Wild Card page in the link above.

Hi there,

I had the same query about renewing my new Wild Card and being given a new number and then saw yesterday under the thread "Renewed my wild card - got a new number!!" that you then calll the Wild Card call centre and ask them to link your two numbers, so that you keep the number of the new Wild Card.

I made the call and had my two numbers linked. I have not gone on-line yet to check if it worked and reflects the number of my new card.

It was quite a painless process and would help if we were told to do this at the time of renewing the card!

Linda

The word SORRY has unfortunately become a joke in South Africa as a means to cover up bad service without any real substance and is experienced on a daily basis wherever services are provided.

Membership purchased at Parks

If membership is purchased at the Parks, you will receive a receipt followed by a confirmation letter, which will be e-mailed to you. Both forms will be valid for 30 days from date of purchase, and may be used during this time with valid Identification, in order to access Parks.

The application process is only complete once you have completed your details here. This must occur within 30 days from date of purchase. Once completed, new members will receive their new Wild Card by registered mail.

So the piece of paper I have has already expired 30 days after I paid my subscription and received nothing even though I had registered online as well.

I renewed my card last month and got a new number, then called wildcard number and they connected the renewall onto my card. I used my card last week without any problems but did have confirmation of renewal letter with just in case.

Thanx RobertT...............I'll make my phone call tomorrow morning!!!!