Old conservationist is back
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency appoints old conservationist
MBOMBELA – The new head of biodiversity and conservation in Mpumalanga says a lot has changed in this field in South Africa.
An example of this is the huge increase and impact of wildlife crime on conservation. “It was not an issue when I worked at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) before, but now we need to build capacity to deal with it.
The management of parks has also moved a lot at an international level,” says Mr Abe Sibiya.
He sees this management as the most important function to become involved in.
“Infrastructure maintenance needs to be in place. One needs to create systems in place to provide the necessary resources to staff and to hold them accountable.”
Sibiya adds that the budget remains a challenge and he has already started to determine how much of the resources, that is needed, is available and what needs to be acquired.
After a long, thorough and extensive searching process over recent months, the acting CEO of the MTPA, Mr Sam Maluleke, says he is delighted with Sibiya’s appointment and adds, “He has vast experience of management in the wider conservation and tourism industries and will be invaluable to the MTPA and the province. It will further go a long way in strengthening the Mpumalanga brand and ensuring that Mpumalanga reclaims its position globally.”
Sibiya started in his new position at the beginning of March and the contract would run for five years. He previously worked as the general manager of tourism development at the MTPA, and after that also acted in numerous senior-executive management positions in the South African National Parks.
