SanParks economic transformation roadshows to inspire business opportunities

Source: SanParks

"Despite being hit hard by the impact of Covid-19 the Kruger National Park has a responsibility to try and provide economic opportunities for businesses based in communities which surround the Park. As a public entity, SANParks must follow strict procurement requirements. One of the ways of opening up access is to provide up-to-date and relevant information to businesses and communities to explain what SanParks can and can’t do," explains Gareth Coleman, managing executive: Kruger National Park.

"We are trying to be more open and transparent about opportunities within the park and explain future plans. We also want to hear from small businesses of how we may be able to better serve them into the future. This is only the first small step that the Park is taking in this journey," Coleman added.

This roadshow, which is a first for the KNP, also serves as a prelude to the KNP Economic Summit which will be held before June 2022.

Business owners who meet the requirements to attend the roadshows will be sourced through the respective park forums, people and parks structures as well as district municipalities located along the KNP.

Target SMMEs must:

• Be located within a 200 km radius of the Kruger National Park.
• The business must have been in operation for at least three years.
• The owner must be active in the business on full time basis.
• Provide an outline of the business they are in so it can be matched against KNP opportunities.

The roadshows will include about 480 participants from the three district municipalities which are Vhembe – Musina, Thulamela and Collins Chabane local municipalities, Mopani – Greater Tzaneen, Ba-Phalaborwa and Maruleng local municipalities and Ehlanzeni – Bushbuckridge, Thaba Chweu, City of Mbombela and Nkomazi local municipalities as follows: