Africa’s “First Peace Park”

(ill. 5: Board at the gate to the KTP © R. Konrad)

Also the land-claim procedure of the local population, the #Khomani and the Mier, who live in the park’s direct neighbourhood, had to be concluded first. 50 000 ha of the former KGNP now belong to those two groups. (cf. PPF 1999: 1) Nevertheless, the environmental protection agencies of both countries feared protests by the #Khomani during the inauguration ceremony as this group had not been involved in the negotiations on the new Peace Park at any stage.

The protest did not take place, instead several personalities of the #Khomani Community were among the ceremony guests. Elsie Vaalbooi, the more than 100 year-old mother of Petrus Vaalbooi, one of the leaders of the Community, and Dawid Kruiper, the Traditional Leader of the #Khomani were present. (cf. Yeld 2000 b: n.p.) In a comment on the opening of the KTP Dawid Kruiper alluded that: “The table has been set now. They must just sit and do the work, and they mustn´t mess.” (Kruiper cited in PPF 2000 a:1)

5.2.1. Voices on the Opening of the Peace Park

On the 12 May 2000 the first Peace Park of Africa was inaugurated in Southern Africa, whereas at the same time war broke out between Ethiopia and Eritrea at the Horn of Africa.

Because of urgent talks on this crisis the Presidents Mbeki and Mogae did arrive late for the inauguration. Thabo Mbeki used his speech as an opportunity to talk about the peacekeeping

”The establishment of the Kgalagadi Peace Park between South Africa and Botswana proves that Africans are capable of co-operating among themselves and do not have to resort to war like Ethiopia and Eritrea are doing.

(…) It´s a bad development. Once again something has happened on the continent that allows people to say:

´It´s a continent of conflict, of wars, of refugees, of people unable to solve their problems peacefully.´” (Mbeki quoted in Yeld 2000 b: n.p.)

Therefore he emphasised the importance of the representation of positive examples in Africa, such as the opening of the Peace Park, as “it tells a different story. (…) May Kgalagadi promote peace and prosperity for all our people and for our region and for our continent.”

(Mbeki cited in 2000 b: n.p.)

Furthermore, Mbeki said the park was proof that no state can be successful in isolation but only through co-operation. During his speech he also disenchanted expressed his worry that the coverage of the war would be more extensive than the news on the positive event of the parks inauguration. He should be proved right. (cf. botswanatourism 2008) Festus Mogae, the president of Botswana took the same line:

“It gives both our countries the pleasure and pride to present the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to the SADC region and the African continent as a useful example of a building block for sub-regional, regional co-operation between and among countries. (…) In a time when the continent is experiencing stability problems in many areas, it is useful to remind ourselves and the world that we can achieve stable and mutually beneficial arrangements through peaceful and productive dialogue. (…) It takes commitment, hard work and perseverance to achieve results through co-operation. (…) Our labours were not in vain.” (Mogae quoted in botswanatourism 2008)

South Africa’s Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Mohammed Valli Moosa, viewed the opening of the KTP as the dawn of a new era of conservation and tourism in the region:

”The opening of the Kgalagadi is not the end of the road but a milestone in our plans for other transfrontier conservation areas in southern Africa. (…) The KTP initiative is a signal of the new political dispensation in Africa.” (Moosa quoted in PPF 2000 a: 1)

Also the then chairman of the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), Anton Rupert had sent a message which was read out by Thabo Mbeki:

”This is the most significant moment in nature conservation and tourism development in Africa that I know of.“

(Rupert quoted in PPF 2000 a: 1)

The President of the Peace Park Club, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands expressed his opinion on the opening of the park:

”It is my fervent hope that the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will serve as a model for conservation in Africa into the future.” (Prince Bernhard quoted in PPF 2000 a: 1)

It is quite obvious why the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was the first Peace Park opened in Africa. As the park manager of the South African part, Nico van der Walt, pointed out in an interview, the KTP was “an easy one to start off“ especially as the two conservation areas, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and the Gemsbok National Park were informally already jointly administered since 1948 as Transfrontier Area. There have never been physical barriers between the two parks, neither was it necessary to acquire land to enable the merger of the parks, which creates difficulties in the case of other planned TFCAs. The important part still missing was the official agreement between the two states and the formalisation of the decade long co-operation of the two conservation agencies. Compared to the planned Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) dissimilarly little had to be changed or prepared for the establishment of Africa’s first Peace Park. The GLTP involves three countries, namely South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, barriers need to be removed and re-erected in different places, and above all additional land must be converted into protected areas. (Interview Van der Walt 2005)

5.2.2. The Management-Plan

The joint management plan outlines the co-operative administration of the entire area as one ecological entity. The plan is carried out by the Department for Wildlife and National Parks and the South African National Parks. It provides the basis for the development of common tourist enterprises and recommends the equal splitting of the admission fees between both countries. (cf. Management Plan 1997: 3) An integral part of the accord determines that each country keeps its own tourist infrastructure and that special attention should be paid to the

of both environmental protection authorities. It is considered to be a “living document“ and will be adapted from time to time. Each of the authorities is responsible for the implementation of the plan. The following aspects are the main issues and simultaneously the objectives of the Management Plan:

• Research and Monitoring

Special goals for the protection of nature and the environment were identified, such as the preservation of the region’s indigenous organisms, to facilitate the migration of large herbivores, provide suitable basic conditions for research projects and to maximise the economic potential of the TFCA without destabilising the fragile ecosystem.

• Resource Management Strategies

Agreements on management strategies have been reached to control the fire fighting service, water supply, disease control, the removal of alien plant species and the common anti- poaching plan.

• Development Strategies

A number of development strategies were passed, such as the splitting of the TFCA and various zones, some open for tourists while others remain closed. Furthermore, locations, activities and facilities which are useful for tourism, were defined.

• Visitor Management

A harmonisation of the different regulations of South Africa and Botswana shall ensure equal admission fees, uniform rules and equal access requirements for tourists.

• Relationship between the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Neighbouring Communities

The co-operation and partnership with neighbouring communities shall be advanced to ensure that the communities may also benefit economically from the establishment of the TFCA.

• Wildlife Education and Interpretation

To ensure that the KTP is appreciated and recognised on a regional, national and international level, a comprehensive awareness raising programme on the positive effects of the park is necessary, addressing visitors as well as the local population. (cf. Management Plan 1997)