This year we celebrate a truly momentous occasion – the 60th anniversary of our Honorary Rangers. It is an honour to mark six decades of dedication, service, and unwavering commitment by the SHR. About 60 years ago, a vision was born, one that has since evolved into a beacon of strength, courage, and community spirit. Our Honorary Rangers have been the bedrock upon which so many of our successes have been built. Their tireless support and steadfast commitment have not only shaped the past but have laid the groundwork for a brighter future. To our Honorary Rangers, we say thank you. Your contributions have been immeasurable. Through every challenge, every milestone, and every triumph, your support has been a constant source of inspiration and a testament to the power of dedication. Your presence in our community has been a guiding light, leading by example and reinforcing the values we hold dear. Biodiversity conservation, parks operations, cultural heritage site management and tourism have been at the core of our partnership. However, as SANParks’ role changed, there has always been a positive and strong response from the SHR, heeding the call without fail. In the past decade, this included strong support for the wildlife crime programmes, the K9 programme, the airwing, ranger wellness through Embrace and support to our socio-economic transformation programmes. As we celebrate this remarkable 60-year journey, we also look forward with great anticipation to the future. Our partnership of the past 60 years demonstrates the Honorary Rangers ability to not only respond to our evolving and changing needs, but also adapt to our evolving mandate and approach to our mandate. Not only did the SHR amend its financial year to align 100% with that of SANParks, but also structured its strategy and targets to be aligned to the SANParks vision and outcome goals. Never will this agility be more needed than the new era that we are entering. Vision 2040 The SANParks “Vision 2040” exercise connected with diverse stakeholders from all walks of life to gather ideas and opinions about the desired future of conservation in South Africa’s National Parks, and the role that SANParks can play in supporting this desired future. This exercise has shown that, for people and nature to live in harmony, as envisaged by the Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) and South Africa’s White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity (2023), our work over the next 15 years will need to respond effectively to: • poverty, inequality and unemployment – we cannot continue to have parks being islands of abundance in seas of poverty; • the biodiversity crisis; • climate change and sustainability – including the Just Energy Transition; • digital transformation; and • social, cultural, spiritual and indigenous knowledge systems. The national parks and conservation areas of 2040 will need to be different from those of today. The days of inward looking, exclusive and fortress conservation are something of the past. Our “Vision 2040” is an ambitious plan, one that aims to push boundaries, create opportunities, and build a legacy for generations to come. While maintaining and even improving on our excellent track record in park (within our fences), implementing “Vision 2040” will also require that we work outside our park boundaries – at landscape level - setting the tone for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, tourism, socioeconomic transformation and development among others. 26 SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 SANPARKS CEO Message from our leaders
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI0MzQ=