Consideration of Deproclamation of land in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.Consideration of Abidjan Nairobi Conventions

Select Committee On Land And Environmental Affairs
21 August 2002

PRESENT:

Eastern Cape
Ms B N Dlulane
Mr R Z Nogumla

Free State
Rev M Chabaku

KwaZulu-Natal
Ms B Thompson
Mr N M Raju (Alt.)
Mrs J N Vilakazi (Alt.)

Mpumalanga
Mr V V Z Windvoël

Northern Cape
Mr M A Sulliman
Mr A E van Niekerk (Visiting member)

Northern Province
Mr R M Nyakane

North-West
Rev P Moatshe

Western Cape
Ms A M Versfeld

APOLOGIES
Dr E A Conroy

Also in attendance were:
Ms E Hirschfeld - Deputy Director: Office of the Chief Land Claims Commissioner
Dr L Jackson - Deputy Director: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

AGENDA: 1. Consideration of the Deproclamation of land in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
Consideration of the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions.

The Chairperson opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests present. Ms Hirschfeld apologised for officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and SANParks who could not be present as they were attending the WSSD.

Briefing on the Deproclamation of land in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park:

Ms Hirschfeld pointed out the following:

The San and Mier communities had lodged land claims in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. The San lodged their claim in 1995, while the Mier lodged theirs in 1998.

In 1999, an agreement was signed and land rights were restored to the two communities, both within and without of the Park. Which land was to be restored and how it was to be managed, still remained to be settled.

Negotiations continued for a period of one year until some land was identified. The deproclamation of the land that fell within the National Park, now needs Parliament's approval.

The deproclaimed land will become contract parks within the Transfrontier Park and it will still be reserved for conservation,as no mining, farming or the granting of residential rights will occur on the land.

The communities will be involved in the management of the land and will obtain commercial rights to share in the profits of the Park.

Response to questions:

In her response to questions raised by the Committee, Ms Hirschfeld raised the following points:

The Richtersveld land claim was used as an example for this settlement. A management plan was drawn up to cover questions such as the commercial rights of the communities, the maintenance of the land and the restrictions on hunting. Consensus was reached on these issues after wide-ranging consultation. Land for farming, housing and mining was granted outside of the Park.

The deproclamation of the land cannot occur if Parliament does not approve it.

The agreement is a win-win situation in that land rights are restored while conservation will still continue.

Adoption of the Report:

The Committee adopted a report recommending the deproclamation of the affected land.

It was also recommended that the Committee should visit the two communities at some time in the future.
Briefing on the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions:

Dr Lynn Jackson briefed the Committee on the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions. She pointed to the objectives of the Conventions and the advantages to South Africa of acceding to them (see Appendix 1).

Response to questions:

In her response to questions raised by the Committee, Dr Jackson made the following points:

After Parliament has approved accession to the Conventions, the Department of Foreign Affairs will deposit a legal document in Nairobi. Thereafter, South Africa will be regarded as a signatory to the Conventions. The entire process should be completed by the end of the year.

Coastal erosion has been identified as a problem and will definitely by a point of focus.

The preservation of marine reserves is definitely covered by the Conventions.

There is at present no monitoring system attached to the Conventions, but one will definitely be put in place once South Africa accedes.

Most countries have not paid their membership fees and this is a major problem. However, there is a move towards most countries paying up in the current financial year.

Adoption of Reports:

The Committee adopted reports recommending accession to both Conventions. However, it expressed its concern about the fact that most contracting parties do not pay their dues.

Closing Remarks:

The Chairperson expressed his concern about the fact that the Committee was not able to form a quorum at earlier meetings. He appealed to members to attend committee meetings and to inform their alternates if they were not able to attend. He also said that he would follow up the question of clashes with the Chief Whip.

Conclusion:

The Chairperson thanked members and guests for their attendance and adjourned the meeting at 12:25.

Rev P Moatshe
Chairperson: Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs.

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