1. REPORT TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GREATER ST LUCIA WETLAND PARK FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 2005 11 OCTOBER 2005

2. Vision and Mission of the Authority “To protect, conserve and present the Wetland Park and its World Heritage Values for current and future generations in line with the standards laid down by UNESCO and the World Heritage Act, and to deliver benefits to communities living in and adjacent to the Park by facilitating optimal tourism and related development.” R1.3 billion capital investment for Wetland Park Creation of 1700 new direct permanent jobs in tourism Transformation of the local tourism industry through community ownership and broader BEE Strategy of the Authority (FY2010)

3. SEED (Socio- economic & environmental development) Tourism skills development –330 direct jobs created in tourism and related industries –BE Ownership (see tourism development slides) –Phase I 60 learners (chefs and guiding) –Total value of programme being rolled out R5m CBNRM –7 agricultural gardens established –Annual May “rooted in wetlands” ncema harvesting (4500 people) –5 working subsistence harvesting committees –Additional R8 million secured for CBNRM implementation (30 additional gardens) Infrastructure –117000 person days created BEE Scorecard –Tourism charter adapted to include community participation

4. SEED cont. Craft programme – (520 women) –Participation at SARCDAA (sales maintained at prior year level in declining market – R150 000) –agreement with large national retailer to sell craft produced locally though the Authority’s craft programme –Business and product development support for 26 smmes –Additional funding secured for new financial year Cultural programme – 2 smmes –Drama developed into a training tool for broader community and park employees –4 community based cultural festivals Heritage –Agreement reached on location and process for development of Bhangazi Heritage Site –Film about heritage of Bhangazi people –Concept for Kosi Bay (David Webster) developed

5. Tourism Development Investment –Thonga beach lodge (74% community owned) –Mabibi camp site (50% community owned) –Rocktail Bay and Manzengwenya facilities negotiated (20% community owned) –Activity revenue increased 230% –4 more contracts ready for signature –Capacity building programme for 7 communities to participate as mandatory partners in investments Branding and Marketing –Branding team appointed –Brand architecture complete –Communication strategy implemented

6. Park Management & Conservation Land incorporation –Aim – inclusion of key ecological areas representing the 6 ecosystems –20 000ha of SQ land – ongoing implementation of agreement –uMkhuze Gorge inclusion approved –1 community conservation area (Khula) concluded –4 community conservation areas under negotiation –Other underway include Munyuwana (17000ha critical for rhino expansion), False Bay, Makakatana Game reintroduction –Game introduction and management plans in place –Approx 700 units trans-located (warthog, oribi, giraffe, white & black rhino, buffalo, wild dog) –Indicator and valuable species monitoring

7. Park Management & Conservation Land care and rehabilitation –Annual alien clearing plan implemented on time and to budget –100% local employment –Additional funding sourced to rehabilitate land formerly managed by SAFCOL –Doubled budget for new financial year –SAFCOL land retraction 6000ha of plantations complete (eastern shores) 8900ha plantations in process of being removed (western shores)

8. Park Management & Conservation Infrastructure –R17.9m spent on park redevelopment (fencing, roads etc) Disaster Management –Drought and mouth management ongoing –Preliminary reserve determination study with DWAF complete

9. Lubombo TFCA Malaria –94% decrease in malaria –500 000 homesteads sprayed in Mozambique Chair Lubombo TFCA Commission Kosi / Ponta TFCA –Concepts approved by Tri-lateral ministers –In principle agreement for extension of World Heritage Site into Mozambique –Initiation of Lubombo tourism route

10. Research 90 research projects underway Partnership with University of KZN Coelacanth programme and 1 st use of ROVs CBNRM programme Workshops in Park included: –Peatlands –SAWAG –Swedish PLATINA

11. Regulatory and other Unauthorised developments –Management system developed with EKZN Wildlife –Protected Areas Regulations awaited Land claims –Active participation in task team with DEAT / DLA to formulate MOA outlining responsibilities –40% of park still under claim –Commercial and other rights of land claimants entrenched in new investment deals Protected Areas –Contributed to drafting of Regulations

12. Regulatory and other cont IMP & SEA –Redrafted; awaiting promulgation of Regulations to Protected Areas Act –Capacity building programme for park staff completed Regulatory Compliance –Park compliance committee established –MLRF – marine management –PFMA – quarterly reports –Board – quarterly meetings and reporting –Internal audit –External audit –Annual report –UNESCO World Heritage Committee reporting

13. Audit Audit Committee reported on – –Effectiveness of internal control Internal Auditors were Deloitte; KPMG appointed for new year –Monthly reports Nothing of significance reported –Evaluation of Financial Statements AC review Annual Financial Statements and find it in order Reviewed AG’s management letter and management Opinion of the External Auditors –No qualification –No matters of emphasis

14. Summary of Financial Performance Total revenue increased 43% largely as result of increase in commercial revenue Operating costs increased 29% due to additional responsibilities flowing from management agreement with EKZNW and changes to regulatory environment Overall deficit reduced to a third of previous year (R0,991:R2,983)

15. Abridged Income Statement

16. Employment Equity 30 of 46 posts filled 72% of staff black people Active three year programme to ensure gender and racial representivity in organisation 16 posts currently being filled for 1 st time (majority of posts top and middle management) Key recruitment criterion promotion of equity