Select Committee: Land and Environmental Affairs Oversight visit to Kruger National Park

Contents  Introduction  Status update and progress report on issues raised  Discussion and questions

Introduction  Select Committee visited Kruger National Park on 2 – 5 March 2005  Select Committee prepared report on 06 September 2005  Select Committee proposed a briefing by SANParks on issues reported upon  This presentation’s objective is to provide a status update and progress report on issues raised

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.1 Core functions, mission statement and strategy Aligned to SANParks’ Mission and Corporate Business Plan. 1.2 Locations and sections within the Park No notable changes. 1.3 Size of the KNP and its species No notable changes. 1.4 Net Operating Income and Regional Management 1Structures Re-organised from four (4) to three regions – merged the ‘Far North’ and ‘Northern Regions’.

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.5 Employment Equity No notable changes. Employment Equity targets being adhered to – 94.7% Black. 1.6 Land claims (p.3) An additional claim has been accepted for processing – i.e. Skukuza Camp. SANParks will be guided by the outcomes of the Land Claims’ due processes, and will support mechanism to retain conservation ethics and programmes in successfully claimed land portions. 1.6 Decline in International Tourists (p.4) The international tourist numbers to the KNP have shown growth: First quarter of 2005/6 – 59,800 First quarter of 2006/7 – 71,200 Concessionaire-occupancies grew from 34.23% (2004/5) to 42.98% (2005/6).

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.7 Staff leaving the KNP (p.4) The turnover rate at KNP is 10.6% – in line with industry norms. A succession strategy for the whole organisation is being developed to address loss of expertise due to retirement. 1.8 Skills development No notable changes. Skills Plan in place. 1.9 Medium term strategy Aligned to the SANParks Corporate Business Plan.

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.10 Veterinary Wildlife Services No notable changes. 1.11Role of Veterinary Department No notable changes 1.12Outsourcing of camps (p.8) Only ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ and ‘Jakkalbessie’ bush camps were outsourced – not most camps as reported. Seven new facilities were developed through Public Private Partnership arrangements to cater for the higher end of the market.

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.13Fences along KNP Discussions are underway to transfer funding from Department of Agriculture to SANParks for the management of fences. This will result in SANParks being responsible to maintain all the border fences in KNP. 1.14Current projects To date 45.3km of fence has been removed between KNP and Limpopo National Park (at the time of report 20km of fence was removed). Only specific areas of the boundary fence has been/is being removed to account for security issues, vehicle theft and damage causing animals on communal farmland

Progress report C. Overview of the KNP 1.15Accessibility to the park Educational Programmes are in place to encourage exposure of the KNP to the previously disadvantaged communities – both adults and young learners. 1.16Challenges facing the KNP The state of tourism accommodation facilities was identified as the main challenge R195m has been allocated to KNP for the next three years to upgrade infrastructure – R136m will be used to address tourism facilities.

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 1.“Guest accommodation and camp sites used by campers is in need of major upgrade” Treasury approved R396m for upgrading infrastructure in SANParks for the next three years. R136m will be used for tourism infrastructure upgrade in KNP. R6m of the allocation will be used to upgrade camping sites. 2.“Not enough accommodation suitable for individuals who are wheelchair based/physically disabled” Benchmarks is that 10% of facilities must be universally accessible. KNP is at 3%. By the end of the three year Infrastructure Development Programme this benchmark should be achieved.

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 3.“No proper drainage system in place in the campsite” The upgrade of campsites at Satara, Lower Sabie, Skukuza, and Berg en Dal will focus on improvement of drainage. 4.“Ablution facilities are inadequate and need upgrading – 7 ablution facilities servicing 84 campsites had no proper lighting and not accessible to those in wheelchairs” Upgrading of campsites will include:  Additional lights along the paved roads.  Upgraded and new ablution facilities will be universally accessible.  A new ablution block at Satara complies with universally accessible criteria

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 5.“People use KNP as a shortcut to cross to neighbouring countries. It was suggested that an extra fee be charged to haul heavy vehicles through KNP and such fee to contribute to road maintenance” Heavy vehicles are restricted  They may only use tarred roads in KNP.  They are required to use the nearest entrance gate to the delivery destination.  We are investigating the introduction of extra entry fee for those vehicles that are expected to start using the Giriyondo and Pafuri border posts. 6.“No adequate housing complex for ground staff. Proper infrastructure is needed to accommodate staff” R42.8m allocated to upgrade staff accommodation in the next three years.  Conversion of dormitories and single units into en-suite single units.  Upgrading of electrical power supply, water and sanitation services

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 7.“One clinic situated near the staff quarters is not enough to service all the staff within the park” There is a clinic at Skukuza staff quarters. A mobile clinic visiting all camps on a weekly basis has been introduced. Negotiations with Limpopo province to establish second clinic in Letaba rest camp, and to introduce a second mobile clinic for the far north areas. 8.“Prices charged at shops inside KNP were exorbitant, putting local tourists at a disadvantage” Comparisons of prices should not be made between large retail stores with those of the shops in KNP  Shops are outsourced – when run by SANParks they operated at a loss.  Differences in economies of scale – stock management in KNP shops is not earmarked for “volume/low prices” but for “essentials”.  Cost base of shops in KNP is higher due to amongst others the wider distribution logistics.

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 9.“The tendered contract period for businesses like restaurants and gift shops are too long and this disadvantages local community to take such opportunities” Tendered restaurant contract period is 9 and a half years – this period accounted for:  The expected investment amounts for renovations/upgrade of aging infrastructure, and  The period required to experience returns on investment. The tender awarding criteria include Black Economi Empowerment as a key component – this covers:  Equity share ownership  Training and Employment Equity  Procurement from local supplier communities

Progress report D. Onsite Visits 10.“Many services were outsourced and local communities are not given such opportunities to offer those services” The tendering process gives preference to local suppliers within the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. The vehicle fleet in the KNP was outsourced to Vuswa Fleet Services (Black Empowered). The construction and building renovations  12 local construction companies appointed on two year contract for building renovations and small to medium construction projects.  12 local trainee contractors appointed for three to four years in partnership with CETA for them to be trained as construction businesses. Supply of gardening services is outsourced to 4 service providers from the local communities. The supply of linen and other consumables are outsourced to service providers from local communities.