SANParks.org Forums

I was sitting and enjoying all the wonderful trip reports, advice etc etc, when something very trivial came to my mind, and that is, when is advice an advertisement and when is it not. First timers ask for advice as to where they can they buy meat close to Malelane. Immediately someone suggests the Spar or Pick n Pay. This apparently is acceptable. The next person asks for a nice camping spot close to KTP, but then a pm has to be sent to the person. One of our distinguished members asked about tents and was quickly referred to Makro.

I often read about Milly's, but 'Vinnige Fanie se Vreeslike Vars Vetkoek Verkoping' is taboo.

So, the question is, when is advertisement and when is it merely an introduction.

"An introduction" is a good term Rooies That is when mites on their way to a park need some help with regard to stopping off for items considered necessary to make their trip to a SANPark comfortable. The same applies to car hire/tents.

The rest is all advertisement.

And what if I have my own business and the company's name is on my vehicle, and I am using this vehicle to visit the Park?

As far as I know you can drive that vehicle in the parks chirinda.

I understand that if a business is in direct competition with SANParks (private reserves, lodges, etc) then the subject is taboo. What confuses me is when we can discuss our favorite grocers on the doorstep of a park (which compete with park shops) but can't suggest hotels in joberg or car rental companies on a regular basis.

The line seems blurry to me. I just default to IM.

Totally agree with you, Stark.
Unable to understand why name of camping places on way to KTP can't be mentioned as they are in no way in competition to that park...........the distance is too far! If someone is coming from Jo'burg/Pretoria the chances are that they will not make the Twee Rivieren gate before closing ( unless they leave at midnight!) and will have to overnight somewhere, therefore, why can't a place be suggested?

And it is totally acceptable to advertise your business or profession by having your logo and e.mail address on the pics you post on this forum too

This is a very good thread, as there is often confusion on this issue. I know that I have made a few errors myself.

One of the ways in which I understand it is about protecting the "Sanparks brand". Branding is everywhere and it is not about right or wrong, it is just about business practices and courtesy.

When I used to run in the olden days, there were very strict rules about branded clothing. If we wore a branded t-shirt, we were not allowed to run, even if it was not a competitor of the sponsor. I have seen runners pulled off the road for wearing branded caps, or even socks.

I think that we also have to take into account that there are official sponsors of Sanparks. They enter into agreements where their brand has to be protected. We see their logos on the website. These are contracts that also have to be protected.

It is a difficult one to moderate and we do try to be fair about it. If we were to apply the rule 100% a lot will not be allowed on the forums at all.

PNF - although you do have a valid point; but in another sense, any other holiday/lodge/accommodation establishment can be seen as competition to SANParks. What if I am driving to KNP and a stop over gets recommended to me, and I love it so much, I decide to stay an extra two nights there next time and cut my KNP trip short.

With regard to the shops: the shops in the parks are not always equipped to supply visitors to the parks with all their needs. One has to purchase many items not sold in the park shops before going to the park and some parks (and many camps) do not have shops, nor even restaurants.

I cannot think of one reason why someone would choose to stay in a lodge outside Kruger, instead of inside Kruger. From my understanding, and I may be wrong, is that the majority of people stay outside because there is accommodation available inside. If a foreign visitor asks for advice about suitable tents, I can see no wrong if that visitor is given options like "Check out Makro, Game or Outdoor Warehouse" without elaborating on quality or best deals.

I know it is difficult to draw the line and to moderate but, if we are too strict then we should ban all discussions about cameras, binoculars and eating places like Milly's.

BTW mods, were there ever any complaints about the misuse of this forum for advertizing purposes, save for spam?

No, not yet

Apart from protecting SANParks, (as this is their website, and the instruction not to allow advertising comes from them) we also endeavour to protect members from for eg, being spammed in posts by other members who wish to promote their commercial ventures/websites/commercial blogs and so on.

You make a good point about SANParks setting the tone on here as owners, DB. And that there is a fine line between advertisement and a mite expressing their independent opinion.

This might be a bit deep for the thread, so please excuse my ignorance on SA Constitutional law, but can SANParks limit free speech on a government owned board if mites are expressing their opinion on a Joberg hotel while in route to KNP - as an example?

A bit more about advertising a camping or b&b on route to a SANparks
Indeed, these might not be in competition with SANparks
But please consider that we have members who own a b&b and if we allow advertisement for some we must allow it for everyone and then it might be considered spam.

But we do allow a PM to anyone seeking a good b&b or camping on route

Hi Stark,

This is really intended to protect you guys from pages and pages of spam, junk and marketing.

If we allowed this kind of advertising, you will get 20% SANParks related info, and 80% junk on our site... We just cannot allow that to happen.

And like Bert said - we always help with advice where needed.

and this is way I get into trouble from time to time