NKAMBENI – The minister of water and environmental affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, has urged communities, particularly those adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP), to be vigilant and report any suspect activities that are linked to rhino poaching.
The minister joined the executive mayor of Mbombela, Cllr Cathy Dlamini, members of the Mduli, Matimbela, Mnisi, Nkambeni, Daatjie, Hoxani and Msogwaba tribal authorities and learners at Pretoriuskop in the park on Monday to celebrate the first international World Wildlife Day. The occasion comes as South Africa’s 20 years of freedom and democracy.
The gathering is in line with the adoption at the 40th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2013, with a resolution that March 3 of each year be celebrated as World Wildlife Day. The United Nations General Assembly on December 20 last year, adopted this resolution making this date a day on which we honour the many beautiful and varied forms of fauna and flora and contribute to nature.
The department of environmental affairs, as the national management authority for CITES in South Africa, was requested by the CITES Secretariat to observe and raise awareness of this day in an appropriate manner, in accordance with national priorities. The objective is not only to esteem the fauna and flora, but to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that wildlife provides to people, and the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which had wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
The gathering of about 500 people, including chiefs, community members and schoolchildren created an opportunity to recall the privileged interactions between wildlife and communities in the country. In South Africa, people not only interact with it as tourists, but benefit financially from the tourism-services sector and also derive other values which are known and valued by different communities.
The theme of World Wildlife Day aligns perfectly with key matters in the country, including the fight against rhino poaching. The minister says people who live in close proximity to the KNP are often aware of the plight of this animal and all the steps being taken by the government and institutions such as SANParks, as well as the private sector, to combat the scourge.
“We are being robbed of our heritage by criminals with no respect for our nation and pride as a people,” says Molewa.
Wildlife crimes, including poaching, are among the most significant syndicate-led law breaking of our time. They rank among drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking, as the top syndicate crimes in the world today. South Africa is not immune to the challenges posed by offences that have a significant impact on the environment and ultimately the economy of our country through the effects they have on tourism and job creation. The crime of rhino poaching is real and South Africans from all walks of life, need to find solutions nationally, regionally and internationally to deal with them effectively.
“We need to join hands and work together to fight these criminals,” she appeals. “These solutions need to be sought in partnership with stakeholders in the rhino and wildlife industries including communities, and with our partners within government especially the enforcement and security authorities.”
If you suspect rhino poaching in your area, contact the 24-hour emergency line on 013-735-4325.
