SANParks’ Community-Based Economic Inclusion Programme On Display
South African National Parks' (SANParks) economic inclusion interventions are on display today through the support of small-scale fishing communities ...
Media Release: Young people in small towns getting practical on the job skills
SANParks has taken on new tourism safety monitors in a Programme funded by the National Department of Tourism. These monitors are based in Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma. Their primary task is to ensure the safety of visitors and ensure the access of information to visitors.
The Programme was launched in 2017 by the Department of Tourism in Soweto and rolled out. Park Manager for the Garden Route National Park, Paddy Gordon says the Programme is one way of preparing young people for the job market. Youth obtain the necessary skills to prepare them for the job market straight after school. There are a few of these Programmes within SANParks and include the employment of young people as Environmental monitors and also within Biodiversity Social Programmes.
Project Manager for the Garden Route, Siyanda Myataza said young people receive invaluable skills they can apply throughout their careers. “In Tsitsikamma, nine small, medium, micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) for the Tsitsikamma Gateway Project are funded by the Department of Tourism. The nine contractors had to employ 11 workers, preferably young people. We now employ 108 workers most of them young”. They received training in basic waste management, snake awareness, life skills training and wild cat awareness training. Further training this week includes basic computer skills and conflict management skills.
The Tsitsikamma Gateway Project is a R14,4 million project with two phases. The first phase took off after a Basic Environmental Assessment and an Environmental Authorisation gave the thumbs up for bulk services to be installed. The services which include water, electricity and sewage already provide the Storms River Village (staff houses) via a pipeline which runs under the N2.
The second phase of the project is already underway to create a precinct with a coffee shop and curio shop. Some 16 locals are involved in its construction with a contractor from the Eastern Cape Province (Simunye Developers).
Issued By
South African National Parks (SANParks)
Enquiries
Nandi Mgwadlamba
Regional Communications Manager, SANParks
Tel: 078 702 9663
Email: [email protected]