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South African National Parks (SANParks) hosted a training session on cooperative governance in partnership with the National Development Agency (NDA), its partners, the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGVR), as well as Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The three-day training recently took place at the Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Cape Town is part of the R10.8 million Marine Economy Small-Scale Fisheries Support Programme that is designed to broaden economic participation and create local jobs that support livelihoods.

This programme is also intended to encourage a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between people and conservation.

The recent training forms part of the Phase 2 implementation plan of the Small Scales Fishers Support Programme in the Cape Region which includes capacity building and assisting cooperative members in obtaining necessary permits, such as skipper’s permits and tourist guide permits.

The first phase of the program was launched in April 2025 at Table Mountain National Park. More than 370 local fishermen from neighbouring communities received support through an initial investment of R800,000. This support included capacity-building workshops on safe and sustainable fishing practices, business management training, and marketing courses to help them run their businesses. Additionally, participants gained access to improved fishing equipment, gear, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Other parks in the region also implemented similar programs to enhance the skills and training of local fishermen.

Phase 2 marks the continuation of a valuable initiative which also demonstrates SANParks’ commitment to people, parks, and sustainable livelihoods.

This Cooperative Governance training was attended by 40 participants representing a total of 20 primary cooperatives. These include cooperatives currently supported by SANParks in Table Mountain National Park and West Coast National Park, as well as new cooperatives that will be onboarded as part of the Small-scale Support Programme from Agulhas National Park and other cooperatives from the Cape Metro. The training showcased effective partnership in community development as an enabler for the implementation of Vision 2040.