Body Of A Suspected Poacher Found In Kruger National Park
This morning Kruger National Park (KNP) Management received reports about the body of a suspected poacher that was left along the road in the Pretoriu...
Media Release: Food Parcels and Water Tanks Donated to Most Destitute Communities Bordering Marakele National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO Fundisile Mketeni today led a SANParks initiative to distribute food parcels and water tanks to vulnerable communities bordering Marakele National Park in Limpopo.
“Because of the national Covid-19 lockdown, tourism, which is the main source of income for these communities, has dried up. This has affected the well-being of the families reliant on our national parks for an income. That is why we decided to try and make their lives a little easier in these trying times,” said Mketeni.
Most national parks, if not all, are situated in rural areas affected by poverty, unemployment and a range of other socio-economic problems. These communities rely on the national parks for their survival, either through jobs or business opportunities. “This period requires all of us to join hands to assist the most vulnerable members of society in our country,” Mketeni said.
Funding for the initiative, which is being extended to communities bordering national parks countrywide, has been sourced from SANParks, the SANParks Honorary Rangers and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
A total of R13 million will be used to purchase food parcels, hygiene products, education materials and water tanks. A total of 7 500 families will be supported nationally. Mketeni and senior officials from Thabazimbi Local Municipality handed out the much-needed support to the community of Thabazimbi.
The 150 parcels included a bar of soap, cleaning detergents, masks and groceries. “We will ensure that these donations benefit families that have been identified as vulnerable during this unprecedented time,” said Mketeni. ? “We are aware that children, unemployed women and old people living with small children head some of the families. It’s important that as we hand over these much-needed food parcels, we ensure that help is provided directly where it is needed most.”
Issued jointly by:
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and South African National Parks
Media Enquiries
Albi Modise
Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
Head of Communications
083 490 2871
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications
073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]