News

South African National Parks (SANParks) held its second stakeholder engagement with various representatives of interest and user groups of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on 06 June 2023 in Tokai.

The meeting was held to introduce the SANParks’ new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Hapiloe Sello to the Table Mountain National Park stakeholders and to engage further on issues that were raised in the previous engagement with the SANParks Board Chairperson in March.

SANParks has committed to continue engaging with the stakeholders on a quarterly basis to discuss issues that impact the park and to find collaborative efforts to work together with the stakeholders.

Speaking at the stakeholder session, the Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, Ms Hapiloe Sello, said, “The organization is committed to be transparent and to prioritize key issues that were raised in the meeting including safety and security, infrastructure maintenance, benefits for local communities and fund allocation to TMNP.”

Sello announced that additional funding of R700 million has been allocated to SANParks with approximately R36 million earmarked for TMNP for projects such as tourism development in Tokai, road maintenance and strategic fencing. In response to the CEO’s announcement, TMNP Manager, Ms Megan Taplin, welcomed the news, “I am grateful for the additional funding as we have earmarked key projects for the park and this funding will assist us to implement them successfully within the next three years. We also appreciate the input of the many active volunteer groups who contribute to projects such as alien plant control and trail maintenance.”

In closing, the SANParks CEO reiterated the importance of stakeholder engagement and of building trust and confidence with the stakeholders. She thanked them for their continued support in making TMNP better for the benefit of all users and expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm and solutions offered by those who participated.