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21 October 2022

Media Release: SANParks embark on Garden Route National Park Economic Transformation Roadshows

South African National Parks (SANParks) will embark on a series of Economic Transformation roadshows from Monday, 24 October to Thursday, 27 October 2022.

This is according to SANParks Senior Manager: Enterprise Supplier Development, Ms Hilda Mthimunye who said these roadshows are aimed at Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from communities surrounding the Garden Route National Park made up of Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma Sections.

She said the roadshows will inform participants about available business opportunities within the Garden Route National Park, as well as how to access those opportunities.

The Garden Route Economic Transformation roadshows follow the successful inaugural SANParks Economic Transformation roadshows which started in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in 2021 and saw participation from over 480 businesses near KNP.

Mthimunye said most national parks are situated in economically deprived areas, which are mostly rural… “and we have a responsibility to try and provide economic opportunities for businesses based in these communities adjacent to our parks.”

She said through the Economic Transformation Roadshows, we are trying to be open and transparent about opportunities within our parks and update the business owners on future plans. It is also an opportunity for small businesses to express how they can better service our parks in the future.

Business owners who meet the requirements to attend the roadshows will be sourced through the respective Park Forums, People & Parks structures, and District Municipalities located along the Garden Route National Park.

Target SMMEs must adhere to the following criteria:

  • The business must be located within a 50km radius of Wilderness National Park or Knysna National Park or Tsitsikamma National Park.
  • The business must have been in operation for at least three years.
  • The owner must be active in the business on a full-time basis.
  • They must provide an outline of the business they are in so it can be matched against Garden Route opportunities.

The Garden Route Economic Transformation Roadshows is scheduled as follows:

Date Park Venue Time
24 October 2022 Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park Thembalethu Thusong Centre 09:30 – 15:00
25 October 2022 Knysna Section of the Garden Route National Park Knysna Kerk 09:30 – 15:00
27 October 2022 Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park Nompumelelo Community Hall 09:30 – 15:00

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

Enquiries

Reynold Thakhuli
General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999; Email: [email protected]