Land Claim in Kruger National Park Settled
3/24/98
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Title: Land Claim in Kruger National Park Settled
Source: The Environment News Service
Status: Copyrighted, contact source for reprint permissions
Date: 3/24/98
PRETORIA, South Africa, March 24, 1998 (ENS) - The Kruger National Park is
to be enlarged by 5,000 hectares, while by the same agreement concluded
Monday, the Makuleke community regains its right to 25,000 hectares of
Kruger Park lands. Settlement of the Makuleke land claim comes just in time
for the celebration of the centenary of Kruger National Park this week.
The centenary festivities begin on the March 25, 26 and 27 when Skukuza
(the main rest camp in the park) will play host to guests from all over the
country. Local and international media from all over South Africa and
neighbouring countries are expected to attend the ceremonies which fall
during the visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton to South Africa.
during the visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton to South Africa.
Map of the northeastern corner of South Africa showing the northern
tip of Kruger National Park and the Pafuri area. Thulamela is the site of a
University of Pretoria archeological excavation. Assisted by the local
community, researchers have found evidence of ancient cultures. (U. of
Pretoria map)
In 1968 the Makuleke community was forceably removed from land now falling
within the borders of the Kruger National Park. By the terms of the newly
reached agreement with South Africa National Parks (SANP), the Pafuri area,
will be returned to the community, while maintaining the conservation
status of the land. The Pafuri area lies just to the north of the current
northern boundary of Kruger National Park.
SANP chief executive Mavuso Msimang told reporters in Pretoria Monday both
parties are satisfied. In terms of the agreement, to be signed on April 18,
no mining, farming or permanent residence may take place in the area
without the permission of the SANP.
The agreement will be submitted to the Land Claims Court shortly and then
to Parliament for consideration.
The 5,000 hectares to be added to the Park is the Madimbo corridor, nwo
jointly owned by the South Africa National Defence Force and Northern
Province government. The corridor forms part of the area formerly owned by
the Makuleke community.
Msimang said the breakthrough, which followed more than 18 months of
intensive negotiations, will enable the community to use the land for
economic development by becoming involved in eco-tourism.
The SANP will continue to manage the conservation of the area. A joint
management body will be responsible for the overall management of the area.
Makuleke community spokesman Livingstone Maluleke said the community, about
1,800 families, is eager to become involved in the conservation of the
area, to be known as the Makuleke region. He said about 20 members of the
community were being trained in business management and onservation,
preparing them to help manage the area.
The community is now living in Ntlhaveni, about 60 kilometers from the
Pafuri area.
Msimang said the Pafuri area is extremely important, partly due to its
archaeological sites, and the large number of species found nowhere else on
Earth.
It is strategically situated with a view to future transfrontier national
parks, which would cross national borders.
"We have here a very important piece of real estate, which should be
preserved for our people," Msimang said. "However, it is important that
this should happen in the context of people having full access to, and full
utilisation of their land. This is a win-win situation."
Maluleke said the agreement should serve as a model to other communities in
similar situations.
March 26 marks the date when the Transvaal Volksraad legislative body
passed the resolution in 1898 to have an area of about 4,600 square
kilometres between the Crocodile and Sabi Rivers declared the Sabi Game
Reserve, the nucleus from which the Kruger National Park developed.
Copyright c 1998 ENS, Inc.