ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the recent developments and new directions that SANParks is taking to ensure that the management of their parks is in keeping with their mission and vision – to be the pride and joy of all South Africans (SANParks, 2002). SANParks has adopted an adaptive management approach that has seen the organization set a number of strategic objectives that reflect the evolving conservation mission within the organization. Not only have a number of conservation achievements been made in recent years, a number of social milestones have also been achieved – national parks have been proclaimed on the basis of their cultural value (for example, Mapungubwe) and co-management agreements have been established with communities in areas where portions of national parks have been reclaimed by these communities to ensure the continued conservation of these landscapes (for example, the Makuleke region in the Kruger National Park). The organization has also been operating on a positive financial footing in recent years (SANParks, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006a) and has expanded economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and local communities through the commercialization of non-core activities, and by implementing conservation activities through poverty relief and similar programmes.
