Legislative and Constitutional Mandate
SANParks was initially established in terms of the now repealed National Parks Act, 57 of 1976 and continues to exist in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003, with the mandate to conserve, protect, control and manage national parks and other defined protected areas and their biological diversity (biodiversity). As a public entity, SANParks is also governed by the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 (as amended by Act 29 of 1999) and is listed as a Schedule 3 Part A: 25 public entity.
SANParks delivers a diverse and complex public good mandate* that includes management of biodiversity and cultural heritage, the sustainable use of biological resources, socio-economic development, protection of ecological infrastructure, access to nature, science, educational and cultural experiences and reconnecting and inspiring people.
Constitutional mandate Section 24(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 underpins the SANParks mandate, which states that everyone has the right to:
- An environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
- Have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
- prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
- promote conservation; and
- secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
Legislative and Policy Mandate
SANParks was initially established in terms of the now repealed National Parks Act, 57 of 1976 and continues to exist in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003; with the mandate to conserve, protect, control and manage national parks and other defined protected areas and their biological diversity (Biodiversity).
As a public entity, SANParks is also governed by the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 (as amended by Act 29 of 1999), and it is listed as a Schedule 3 Part A: 25 public entity. In accordance with revised Treasury Regulations Section 5 and 30, issued in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), to provide the necessary legal basis for the implementation of the Framework for Managing Programme Performance Information, South African National Parks (SANParks) as a public entity listed in the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999; Schedule 3 Part A: 25 is expected to submit a five-year Strategic Plan, ideally subsequent to every national election cycle, linked to the identified outcomes of the Presidency, for approval by the Ministry of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEFF) as an executive authority.