News

According to Mr. Mabunda, “Operation Prevail” is a turnaround strategy whose objective is to balance the high HR costs of the Park while repositioning it as an efficient and cost-effective organisation. “Operational Prevail” was initiated at the SANParks Head and Regional Offices in Pretoria and Cape Town in March and resulted in 23 positions at those offices being declared redundant.

In Kruger, “Operational Prevail” started with wide consultations with staff in supervisory positions, senior managers and the unions. It culminated in a comprehensive restructuring plan that was submitted to the SANParks Chief Executive and Directorate for approval on 15 March.

The approved plan envisages the structural re-organisation of the Park into four regions (Far North, North, Central and Southern Regions) and makes provision for some 663 positions being made redundant. This will result in a 26% reduction in the Park”s HR bill, one of the contributing factors in the Park”s tight financial situation. Each region will be headed by a Regional Manager who will be responsible for all conservation and tourism activities as well as social ecology.

The Scientific Research section has also been streamlined according to the specialist nature of its functions. Emphasis will be put on procuring external research and academic services from universities, technikons and research institutions rather than providing these services in-house. The game ranger management areas have been reduced from 22 to 12.

In terms of the tourism component of the Park, the emphasis is now on the introduction of a professional hospitality service for the restcamps in the four regions. Professional front-office management, duty management, visitor services, and efficient and effective house-keeping systems will be introduced.

Notices of redundancies have been delivered to the staff members affected by the redundancies and negotiations, in terms of the Labour Relations Act, are underway. Operation Prevail is expected to conclude by the end of June.

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
Public Relations Manager
Kruger National Park
Telephone: 013-735-4363
Email:[email protected]