South African National Parks (SANParks), in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) and Total South Africa is pleased to announce that the 15th annual South African National Parks Week kicks off in one week time. The free access week will run from 16 to 20 November 2020.
SANParks Chief Executive Officer, Fundisile Mketeni said, “SANParks postponed the week, which is traditionally held in September, to November due to the Covid-19. As the country is still on Alert Level 1 of the lockdown in November, we would like remind the public that a gate quota system will apply in all our national parks throughout the focus week.”
The week in partnership with Total South Africa and FNB is meant to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, protected by the national parks system. It’s important for South Africans to visit and know the importance of national parks.
This year SANParks will open the week in West Coast National Park. The feature element of this campaign is the free access granted to all South African day visitors carrying their official Identity Documents. Young persons under the age of 16 will be allowed free access without proof of identity. The free access to the parks will not include accommodation and any commercial activities in the park such as guided safaris in vehicles or guided walks, etc.
Mketeni said, “every year SANParks aims to increase the number of citizens that are granted free access to national parks during this time. Since we started the programme in 2006, some 551 393 South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to enter national parks, and we want to see these numbers grow.”
Total South Africa, Corporate Affairs Manager, Nne-Mpho Siaga said, “As a sponsor of SANParks for more than 60 years, Total South Africa remains committed to the conservation of our wildlife and of the environment. It is one of the pillars of our Corporate Social Investment and a responsibility that we take very seriously. The annual SANParks Week is such a great initiative as it allows free entry to SA citizens and gives everyone the opportunity to experience the parks first-hand. Total South Africa is honoured to be in a position to make this possible.”
Sipho Silinda, CEO, FNB Public Sector Banking says “ The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the tourism industry, thus it is important for individuals and communities to play a role in supporting the survival of the South African National Parks system, our national and culture heritage. FNB believes in responsible actions by individuals and communities at large, as they are an imperative factor in protecting and managing the environment. The 15th annual SANParks week is a noteworthy milestone in our commitment to continue to enable South African citizens to explore our country’s natural heritage.”
SANParks encourages all South Africans, especially the youth of our country to diarise these dates and plan a visit to a national park nearby. “The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa,” concludes Mketeni.
