Prof David Mabunda weighs in on debate about changing the KNP’s name
The motion to change the name of the KNP and KMI Airport was tabled by a member of EFF as part of celebrating Heritage Month.
Prof David Mabunda, the former CEO of the South African National Parks (SANParks), has called the proposed renaming of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the KMI Airport “a constitutional overreach”.
He was responding to a motion, tabled by an EFF member of the provincial legislature, Rhulani Qhibi, to rename the KNP to Skukuza National Park. Qhibi also suggested renaming KMI Airport after the late former deputy president, David ‘DD’ Mabuza.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Mabunda pointed out that under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003), management and regulation of all national parks fall under the constitutional competence of the SANParks board and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE).
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He argued that the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature is not the appropriate legislative platform for this responsibility.
“I believe that SANParks and the DFFE were not consulted prior to the announcement, which caught all of us off-guard,” he said.
Mabunda said South Africa’s tumultuous 300-year history, with its “blood clotting memories” consists of both the bitter and sweet parts of a nation’s evolution. He cautioned against completely erasing the past during a process of redefining the collective future.
He emphasised that national parks are historical national symbols which should reflect a nation’s commitment to environmental values, and not to be exploited for political expediency.
He stressed that the name ‘Kruger National Park’ is an international icon and a multibillion-rand brand, globally associated with SA. While acknowledging the park’s past, which was used as an instrument of political ideology, he questioned whether a young democratic nation should “deliberately repeat similar past mistakes” by changing its name without due process or civic consultation.
Mabunda appealed for the reconciliation championed by former president, Nelson Mandela.
The late president, when launching the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, suggested preserving the park for future generations.
Instead of focusing on a name, he urged the use of any potential renaming budget to improve the park’s management, create sustainable jobs and extend the experience to those deprived by socio-economic constraints.
“Caring for our national parks meets all the metaphors; growth, change and reconciliation,” Mabunda concluded.
He stressed that while positioning the park as a cultural and spiritual crossroad, debate should focus on direction rather than erasing the past.
