Honourable Minister of DFFE, Dr George
Honourable Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Mabuyane
National Chair of the House of Traditional Leaders
Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Nkosi Gwadiso
MECs present
Executive Mayor
Honourable members of parliament
My fellow board members and ECPTA board members as led by Dr Mzilikazi
CEO of SanParks and other CEOs present
SanParks EXCO
Ladies and Gentlemen

Her Majesty, former President of Liberia, Madam Sirleaf once said “The size of the dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you , they are not big enough”

This quote for me clearly encapsulates what we tried and still continue to seek to achieve with Vision 2040. It is a big, most probably beyond our capacity as SANParks and has stretched us to the limit. Yes it does scare us but we believe with everybody’s support, commitment and partnership it is not insurmountable. This reminds of an African Proverb “If you want to go fast go alone but if you want to go far, bring everybody along. That is our rallying calling this afternoon…..Yizani nonke, Tlohong le na; A re yeng; A ri tuwee; Kom ons doen dit saam.

We have adopted a Vision that fundamentally changes the Conservation trajectory if not turn it on its head. The amount of time and depth of consultation we have embarked on is probably unprecedented in SANPARKS history, yet we are here today exactly a year on, after we revealed Vision 2040 to reflect, account and reenergise everybody to be part of this noble and yet ambitious journey.

Vision 2040 is about repurposing the role of conservation in South Africa and shifting the approach to an inclusive, people centred conservation model that balances three core pillars

1. Biodiversity conservation and preservation of cultural heritage… safeguarding ecosystem, wildlife and landscapes for current and future generations whilst respecting out
2. Social Justice… ensuring local communities especially those historically excluded are recognise, included and benefit directly from conservation.
3. Economic empowerment… Unlocking the economic potential of national parks and other surrounding protected areas through regenerative tourism and agriculture, sustainable use, job creation and making conservation a catalyst to inclusive economic development.

We take a mega-living landscape approach to the implementation of Vision 2040 and we seek to integrate national parks with surrounding communities, ecosystems and various economic activities in a land in order to maximise benefit, be inclusive and maximise impact.

We have prioritised 4 landscapes namely:

1. Greater Addo (includes parts of the Garden Route, Addo itself, the Great Fish, Amathole Mountains areas)
2. Greater Grasslands ( includes the Northern parts of the Eastern Cape, KZN and the Eastern Free State Areas)
3. Greater Kruger (Western Kruger, Barberton Makonjwa)
4. Namaqualand

Starting with the 4 landscape we will be implementing with partners to expand conservation areas, strengthen eco tourism, implementing regenerative agriculture initiatives, implementing skills development and job creation efforts. More importantly we will in working with others ensure that we use the biodiversity economy to catalyse growth, job creation and supporting entrepreneurs.

Coming to this landscape in particular where we are having this Indaba:

The greater Addo landscape captures so much of what the Eastern Cape’s extraordinary features….a place where rugged wilderness, sweeping coastlines and timeless mountains meet in one region. In Addo, The Zuurberg mountains rise in gentle folds, framing valleys where elephants roam in abundance. To the South, the mights Sundays River winds its way past citrus orchard before reaching the coast, where the vast Alexandria Dune Field…the largest shifting dune in the Southern Hemisphere…rolls in golden waves to greet the ocean. Standing at this confluence feels like being at meeting place of two worlds.

To the East, the Great Fish river cuts through prehistoric formations, its waters a lifeline that has shaped the land for millennia. Along its banks wildlife gathers in abundance, a living reminder that this has always been a meeting place for people and nature.

Further inland Camdeboo’s Valley of Desolation feels like standing at the edge of time. Its towering dolerite columns rise like ancients sentinels above the Karoo plains. From the lookout, the views stretch endlessly over Nqweba Dam and the arid landscapes beyond….a breathtaking reminder of both the vastness and resilience of this land.

Beyond Camdeboo the Amathole mountains stand in densely forested grandeur, echoing with waterfalls their misty peaks and deep gorges creating a striking contrast to the Karoo.

Each season transforms the region in its own way: the green flush of veld after summer rains, the fiery blossoms of aloes in winter and soft gold of Karoo sunsets painting the landscape in light. No matter how often I return to this part of the country there is something new to marvel at.

The Greater Addo region holds so much diversity from people and nature. It’s a landscape of contrasts that continue to surprise and inspire…. reminding me why the Eastern Cape will always feel like and be home. It is a home of legends and personally it my place of birth and this is where it all started for me.

My job is say a few words and invite everyone to be open to deliberate on what we have done in the last year, what we commit to do and be in the next year and more importantly how do we inspire other to join us on this journey as we gve full expression to the Indaba Theme “People in Harmony with Nature Championing Prosperity.”

Ndolivhuwa