MATSULU – As part of SANParks Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, the Kruger National Park (KNP)’s Managing Executive, Mr Abe Sibiya officially handed over a jungle gym to Pre-School learners of Takheleni Primary School at Matsulu Village on Friday.

Sibiya said that the park’s support for neighbouring communities included providing infrastructure and related resources in areas of education, youth development, health and other identified needs.

“It is for the very fact that we are donating this playing equipment,”he said.

In addition to that, he mentioned that KNP’s People and Conservation Department have programmes such as environmental education and kids in parks where learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are given free access to the parks and learn more about nature conservation.

“A percentage of community levy is charged on all reservations for accommodation and activities in order to fund projects that support the surrounding communities.

That is done in order to improve their lives by creating health and education facilities. We also assist in creating water and sanitation projects in communities bordering our parks,” said Sibiya.

During the same event, SANParks officials also conducted a sod-turning ceremony for a kitchen block which is also part of the donation to Takhelani Pre-School. Construction will commence soon.

In 2012, SANParks launched its new vision which says “Connecting to Society” as a strategy to reach out to communities and ultimately contribute to the government’s mandate towards social development.

“Just last year in 2013, we donated an administration block at Dumisani High School, a village outside Kruger Gate and a Computer Laboratory at Masiza High School in Phalaborwa.” concluded Sibiya.