I-Authority isivule amahovisi ayo amasha eSt. Lucia . Inamahovisi amabili,
elokuqala litholakala e-Siyabonga Market kanti elesibili litholakala e-Dredger
Harbour .Osomabhizinisi abasathuthuka bakulendawo bathola ithuba lokulungisa
izindlu zabasenzi eziyishumi nanye (11) kanye nehovisi lase-Dredger.
Sizimisele ukusebenzisana nomphakathi ekuthuthukiseni izinga lempilo nenhlalakahle
kanye nekusasa elihle lePaki.
A partnership between the Park and local government
Erica Swanepoel, Municipal Manager of the Mtubatuba Municipality has resolved
to establish contact with the Park Authority to explore matters of mutual
interest after vexing issues like the beach driving ban and perceived central
control from Pretoria.
This has resulted in agreement to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding
concerning planning and development within the Park and its municipal area.
Consensus is being reached on access to the St Lucia beach and estuary.
Provision and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure, refuse
removal and roads is being co-ordinated as there is about management of
tourism facilities within the municipal area.
The smouldering St Lucia dump which is to be cleaned up through
the new partnership
Wetlands Authority financially sound
Auditor General tells Parliament all is well
The Auditor General has given the Wetlands Park Authority
a clean bill of health when it issued an unqualified audit report for
the first year’s trading. More than R15 million in grants was received
from Government and others, while more than R13 million was paid to suppliers
and employees for various programmes underway in the Park. The Authority
spent more than half its budget (60 %) on job creation and capacity building
in the region.
In tabling the report Board chairperson Mavuso Msimang, pointed to the
first year’s highlights including progress on the initial phase
of investment, consolidation of infrastructure, product development,and
local economic development and land care programmes.
Redevelopment continued with new infrastructure and game translocations.
In his report, CEO Andrew Zaloumis, said the Authority will continue to
work towards reducing risk for tourism investment so conservation and
community beneficiation take place effectively in the years ahead.
Free copies of the report are available from the Authority’s offices
at Pvt Bag 05, The Dredger Harbour, St Lucia.
MEET THE NEW BOARD
Denise Slabbert
The Board of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park consists of dynamic and
widely-experienced personalities to guide future development and empowerment
of the area.
MAVUSO MSIMANG, the chairperson, has resigned as Chief Executive Officer
of SANParks to become CEO of the State Information Technology Agency. He
has extensive experience in conservation and tourism development and has
also worked with developing communities throughout Southern Africa with
organizations such as the UN, UNICEF and CARE International.
“Our twin objectives are to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty
while conserving the area’s spectacular natural beauty,” he
says. The Authority team, under CEO Andrew Zaloumis, has put together a
well-thought-out and detailed plan for this.”
Industrialist ROB BARBOUR is vice chairman. The ex-CEO of Alusaf and a highly-respected
KZN businessman, he was chairman of the Umfolozi Peace Accord and of the
Mozal Community Development Foundation.
He says: “With my business background, my major role is to help make
the park commercially viable. The vision is to create a park for the people
and this will only work if a model can be created that brings benefit to
everyone.”
LAWRENCE MTHOMBENI, a former school principal, is mayor of the Umkhanyakude
District Council which includes the Park. He is committed to tourism marketing
and infrastructure delivery like running water and improvement of access
roads. He is also determined that every local child should visit the Park.
The first meeting on June 30 of the Board of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park Authority included introductions to staff and visits to some of the Park’s key sites. At the helm are (from left) Lawrence Mthombeni, Mavuso Msimang, Karin Pearce, Pam Yako, Rob Barbour, Andrew Zaloumis, Israel Tembe and Siphiwe Nzimande
PAM YAKO is DEAT’s deputy director general - Portfolio of Protected
Areas and Transfrontier Parks for South Africa. She brings much-needed alignment
with national government. She has a strong grounding in community development
work and local community development.
She says: “I also have an NGO background and can bring a gender perspective.
I have worked in the land sector and this is significant quite when looking
at these issues around St Lucia.”
Inkosi ISRAEL MABHUDU TEMBE, who is employed by the provincial department
of Traditional and Local Government Affairs represents the vital voice of
the community and 18 traditional leaders. His focus is to ensure the cultural
aspects of the Park are valued.
He says: “More consultation is needed as people are still confused
by nature conservation services.”
KZN born, though now based in Johannesburg, KARIN PEARCE brings widespread
experience regarding investor mobilisation, infrastructure development and
community empowerment. She is CEO for Municipal Infrastructure at the Development
Bank of South Africa. Previous posts include General Manager for the Banking
Council of South Africa.
She says: “My involvement with the Park goes back to when I was co-ordinator
of the Lubombo SDI. The establishment of the authority is an important milestone
for the future of conservation and economic regeneration.”
Professor SIPHIWE VICTOR NZIMANDE, chairman of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
board, offers academic expertise, social work experience and business skills.
He says: “Conservation in the area needs to be maintained, for this
is the basis of eco-tourism. One of the biggest challenges is to cement
relationships between national and provincial conservation organisations.
As CEO of the Park, ANDREW ZALOUMIS is responsible for co-ordinating conservation,
commercial development, community upliftment and liaison with a wide range
of government agencies and stakeholders. And to ensure the success of the
government’s pledge that sustainable tourism generates jobs and economic
growth.
He says: “I’m honoured and excited to work under such a talented
group with the common aim to create a first-class national park and World
Heritage Site that delivers meaningful economic benefits to neighbouring
communities.”