The Kruger National Park’s name remains unchanged
AfriForum is taking legal steps to correct misleading information on Google Maps which refers to the KNP as Skukuza National Park.
In a move to quash persistent rumours, the minister for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE), Dr Dion George, has confirmed that no name change has been authorised for the Kruger National Park (KNP).
He strongly cautioned those propagating this misinformation and advised them to stop immediately.
Dr George’s statement read: “I can explicitly state that there has been no change to the name of KNP under Section 20 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003. This legal framework governs the naming and management of the country’s national parks. Also, no notice was published in the Government Gazette regarding a name alteration. The park remains legally and officially the Kruger National Park.”
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He also said that there is nothing in progress to change the name of the KNP and outlined the legal process. According to the Act, only the Minister has the legal authority to assign or amend the name of a national park.
The official list of South Africa’s (SA) national parks and their names is part of Schedule 2 of the Act, with the KNP’s name appearing under Item 11. Any proposed name change should follow a formal legislative procedure. This would include public consultation and a notice in the Government Gazette.
“Members of the public are encouraged to rely solely on official government communications for accurate information regarding SA’s national parks and protected areas. This official confirmation should put all speculations about a name change for the world-renowned KNP to rest,” the Minister concluded.
Meanwhile, AfriForum is continuing with urgent legal action to correct misleading information on Google Maps, referring to the KNP as the Skukuza National Park. According to Marais de Vaal, AfriForum’s Environmental Affairs adviser, this incorrect listing appears as one of the top search results for ‘Skukuza’ and is linked to the official SANParks site. This is creating a global false impression that the KNP’s name has been changed. SANParks is the only management authority of the KNP.
