Quote:
National Parks were and still are meant to evoke patriotism of the country’s intrinsic values in addition to its socio-economic and political worth. A National Park is, therefore, not a mere physical entity, a geographical area or suite of ecosystems and species, but a mirror of society’s value system and a vigorous national symbol.
National Parks have been set aside for the highest form of protection, selecting from certain elements of the environment for perpetual protection, to be appreciated and enjoyed by future generations. National Parks are, therefore, synonymous with the flag and the national anthem. They are and always remain the pride of any nation.
ArticleWhen I read these words of Dr Mabunda, I finally understood why I feel such a sense of pride in the Kudu Kop – the symbol of the SANParks.
I wish to dedicate this 40 000th post of mine to all the amazing people who protect and care for our SANParks – from Dr Mabunda to the those who sort the waste materials; from the hundreds of folk who give freely of their skills to the millions of visitors from all corners of the globe, and all walks of life, who support the Parks.
I have a deep love for the bush – but somehow no wilderness area is as special as one under SANParks’ management. Do not ask me to explain this. The camps have their own unique atmosphere ... the staff in their uniforms, the smell of the thatch, the green tiles on the bathrooms, the soap ...
Between visits to the Parks I need to feed the longing and 5ish years ago I would buy any magazine or book on Kruger that I could lay my hands on and read the ‘old’ website regularly always on the lookout for any news about SANParks.
The site was ‘under construction’ for a while ... and then, one day there it was! A brand new website with regularly updated news and info
and with a cam, and people who discussed what was on the cam on a forum! Wow!!!
And polls on Kruger! I was beside myself at this find (and I am no internet boffin, I was a dial up connection person who used internet for banking). I read the discussions on the forums for a couple of days, and finally took the plunge to join, and after a while very tentatively made that first post.
One of a very serious nature that will please many of you. First typed up in word (those odd symbols are proof of that) and checked by my family lest I make a big fool of myself in front of the whole world! Submit.
And the rest as they say, is history.
The SANParks forums have become a very significant part of my life – here I share my passion for SANParks on a daily basis, have laughed until my sides ache, made wonderful and true friends, and yes, even at times had a bit of a fume and the odd tear.
And so, this post is also dedicated to all of the members of the SANParks forums. Each one of you makes up the exceptional community here. It is your commitment, warmth and wit that shapes these forums. It is wonderful to share in your passion and deep love for the National Parks and for Nature.
I am honoured to be a member and look to the future of these forums with a great deal of excitement. Together, combining our collective global skills, here is much we can do, and still achieve, in playing our vital role in protecting, preserving and sharing our universal heritage, the South African National Parks.
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And all this time I thought you were working. Can I hope for the odd cooked meal now?.
