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Today Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, marked an important step in advancing inclusive economic participation with the signing of the Beneficiation Scheme agreements with land claimants of the Kruger National Park. The Beneficiation Scheme is part of the overall Settlement Agreements entered with communities in line with government’s efforts to address land dispossession and follows about ten years of negotiations and deliberations.

The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, as custodian of government’s land restitution programme is also in support and committed to and signed the Beneficiation Scheme.

“The signing takes place on the eve of the official launch of the Kruger National Park Centenary that will be attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa who will deliver the keynote address. The centenary itself being a milestone that invites the country to reflect on a century of conservation while deliberately shaping a more inclusive and development-oriented future. The Beneficiation Scheme is one based on partnership, opportunity, and shared value for both these communities and the Kruger National Park,” announced Minister Aucamp.

Through the scheme, South African National Parks (SANParks) is enabling structured access to commercial and non-commercial opportunities for qualifying previously land dispossessed communities through investment, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. These include participation in concessions, enterprise and supply development, bursary funding, skills transfer, and long-term livelihood creation linked to the park economy.

This agreement is structured in such a way that it safeguards the Kruger National Park as a vital national asset, ensuring that its conservation efforts and operations continue uninterrupted, while also ensuring the land claimants to benefit from what was their forefathers’ land without taking up residence within the park.

The Beneficiation Scheme is not designed as a once-off intervention, but as part of a broader, systematic and perpetual approach to integrate historically land dispossessed communities into the mainstream of conservation-led development. Minister Aucamp emphasised that national parks are not isolated assets, but shared national resources whose sustainability depends on strong, mutually beneficial relationships with surrounding communities.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to manage national parks in a way that ensures that there are inclusive economic opportunities. Conservation must be a driver of development, and communities must see themselves in the value that flows from these landscapes.”

The Beneficiation Scheme aligns with SANParks’ transformation agenda, national development priorities, principles of responsible tourism expressed through inclusive conservation. It responds directly to the need to broaden participation in the sector while supporting local enterprise growth, job creation, and community resilience.

Importantly, the scheme has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and community leadership structures to ensure transparency, credibility, and long-term sustainability. It introduces governance measures that promote accountability and fairness, while also supporting beneficiaries to build viable and competitive businesses over time.

The scheme also complements ongoing initiatives within the Kruger National Park area that includes skills development programmes, SMME incubation, and investments linked to eco-tourism commercial opportunities. Collectively, these efforts are intended to unlock the full socio-economic potential of the park in a way that balances conservation imperatives with human development needs.

SANParks extended appreciation to its partners, community representatives, and stakeholders who have contributed to shaping the scheme and ensuring its successful implementation.

The Beneficiation Scheme provides for a model of conservation that works for people and the environment alike. The success of the scheme will be measured not only by economic outputs, but by the strength of the relationships that is build and the opportunities it unlocks together with communities.

Pictures can be accessed on this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DAGrlNkEIPFe4RMZ2uOKd-gMAX70TdTq