South Africa is held in very high esteem internationally for its endeavors and success in the field of nature conservation. There is no better example of this proud tradition than in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, which, on March 26 1998, will celebrate its first 100 years of existence.
Initially named Sabie Game Reserve, it was then enlarged and re-named Kruger National Park. It is one of the oldest game reserves in the world and the celebrations of its centenary will attract enormous attentions both locally and internationally.
The National Parks Board intends to use this auspicious occasion to promote, not only increased tourism and overseas visitors to the Kruger National Park and other national parks, but to promote all our national parks to the nation at large. Many South Africans have hitherto never been to a national park, and perceive them as elitist areas reserved for the wealthy and/or only for whites.
The national parks are owned by the nation and are held in trust by the Parks Board for South Africans, not only today but also for future generations. Much still needs to be done to install a sense of pride of ownership amongst all South Africans, and to promote a clear understanding of the role that National Parks play in the South African economy and in society.
Furthermore, whilst progress has been made in the economic upliftment of the societies that boarder the Kruger Park and other national parks, these societies are now benefiting from the visitors that parks attract, more needs to be done in this regard. Once again, the centenary offers this opportunity.
