News

SANParks held a series of engagements to build relations with cultural and religious groups about the use of caves and other spaces in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). The meetings sought to find a constructive way forward while balancing the needs of these groups with the responsibility to prevent illegal activities and ensure that the experience of other park users are not negatively impacted.

Caves within the park are home to very unique and fragile ecosystems and TMNP would like to ensure that while these natural spaces remain accessible for cultural and religious activities, their ecological integrity is preserved, and the safety of all visitors is maintained.

A guiding principle behind the engagement with a wide array of stakeholders was an embrace of indigenous knowledge. Furthermore, outcomes of the deliberations will also be considered as inputs into the drafting process of the TMNP 10-year management plan.

SANParks previously engaged with stakeholders such as the South African Speleological Society, scientists, and interested groups on cave ecosystem conservation. During the recent engagements emphasis was placed on inclusive participation and involvement of the different stakeholders in the initiation and implementation of park programmes. Linked to this was the view by stakeholders that caves must be accessed in a manner that takes into account spiritual needs and they volunteered to work closely with SANParks staff to raise awareness about pressing issues such as littering and fires.  This collaboration should be transparent, consensual and inclusive of different traditions, customs and ways of life.

Park staff undertook to engage further with the groups to look at their different needs and how these could be met within the current permitting rules and management plans.