Contributors to park’s success acknowledged

Kruger National Park held their regional and corporate support services awards on Friday, November 25 at Skukuza. It was held in the Nombolo Mdhluli conference centre where 58 recipients received service awards and 24 corporate awards.

Mr William Mabasa, gm communications and marketing, gave the welcoming address and Mr Abe Sibiya, managing executive KNP, gave the keynote address. During his keynote speech, Sibiya stated that it was a day of celebration and an acknowledgement of the people who help keep KNP operating successfully. “Success is only achieved through hard work and sacrifice,” says Sibiya. “We need to continue to do our work with passion, purpose and conviction.”

“Recently, continues Sibiya,” a strategic meeting was held where four focus areas were identified which would assist us in continuing to achieve success in the Park. The first being the effective management of SANpark’s national parks around the country. This would entail having a clear understanding of the expectations of the public, a good infra-structure, excellent customer service and ecologically sound management of the parks. Secondly we must continue to grow our annual revenue as operational costs are on the rise. Government subsidies will continue to decline in future and we will have to grow our revenue in a sustainable manner. Any future developments planned for the Park must, however, take place within the environmental limits of the park.”

“Thirdly our parks must become accessible to local communities. Parks must cease to be like zoo’s and rather become part of the lives of the local communities This we will achieve through the establishment of numerous outreach projects.”

“Finally, said Sibiya, “we must continue to develop our human resources in both the skills and leadership areas. The transfer of skill and knowledge to the younger generation is essential for the future survival of the park. It is our duty to leave a legacy of a well-managed park for future generations.”