14 April 2003

The Northern Cape agriculture department ushered in a new era in promoting wildlife ownership on Monday when it handed two communal ranches to disadvantaged people in the province.

The province's agriculture, environment and conservation MEC, Dawid Rooi, said the move to give ownership of the ranches to the Schmidtsdrift and Platfontein communities formed part of the government's efforts to eradicate poverty through sustainable projects.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Rooi added that the move was in line the government's aim of introducing disadvantaged individuals to professional hunting.

A total of 12 different species have been earmarked for the two ranches, among them the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra that currently fetches over R15 000 as a trophy. These species, said Rooi, will be transferred from the provincial department's reserves to boost the numbers at Schmidtsdrift and Platfontein.

"The necessary results have been attained - we're moving in the right direction at the right speed. We hope to bid 2003 farewell with a total of 30 previously disadvantaged professional hunters."

Rooi said that the provincial government had also set aside R2-million as part of its mentoring programme. "The hunting industry is big business, and as government we aim to secure a lion’s share of this lucrative industry on behalf of our communities."

The provincial government, according to Rooi, would also promote the sustainable use and management of wildlife by ensuring that the African eco-system remained intact for the promotion of eco-tourism. To this end, the department has designed a mentoring programme around sustainable management and effective monitoring systems.

Rooi said the government aims to create "defenders of wildlife", who will keep a check on fanatics who endanger the South African economy by calling for a tourism boycott against trophy hunting.

He added that communities had to help fight poaching, which he said was killing the country's wildlife.

Source: BuaNews

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