South African citizens get free access to national parks
15 September 2015
This week, all South Africans with a valid identification document can enjoy
free access to most of the country's national parks during the 10th annual South
African National Parks (SANParks) Week. The week runs from 14 to 20 September.
This initiative, a partnership between First National Bank and Total South
Africa, was opened by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, with the theme
"Know Your National Parks". It was launched at Marakele National Park in Limpopo.
National Parks Week was set up following the realisation that the majority of
South Africa's citizens were not visiting the country's wildlife reserves, according to
Fundisile Mketeni, the chief executive officer of SANParks. The reason for the week,
Mketeni said, was to cultivate a culture of pride in all South
Africans.
"SANParks started this campaign to encourage all South Africans, especially
those from the communities around the parks, to share in what SANParks envisions
to be 'the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world,'" he said.
Source: SANparks
South Africans citizens have free access to activities such as game walks, abseiling and canoeing at the national wildlife reserves in South Africa during National Parks Week, which runs from 14 to 20 September 2015. (Image: South African Tourism)
South Africans citizens have free access to activities such as game walks, abseiling and canoeing at the national wildlife reserves in South Africa during National Parks Week, which runs from 14 to 20 September 2015. (Image: South African Tourism)
