Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa, to launch of the Khomani Cultural Landscape as a world heritage site and officiate over game handover to community
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa, will on Wednesday, 4 October 2017, officially mark the listing of the ‡Khomani Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site at Tweerivieren in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
The unveiling of the plaque will be followed by the symbolic handover of game and the release of game to the ‡Khomani community at the Erin Game Ranch near Mier in the Northern Cape by Minister Molewa.
The Minister will deliver a keynote address prior to the unveiling of the commemorative plaque at a formal event at Tweeriviern prior to departure to the community event and game handover at Erin Game Ranch.
The ‡Khomani Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee during its 41st Session in Poland in July 2017.The inscription increases the number of South Africa World Heritage Sites to nine. In May 2002 the ‡Khomani San and Mier communities reached a historic land settlement agreement with the government of South Africa and South African National Parks (SANParks). The agreement saw a land restored to the communities that had once roamed or farmed the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP). The settlement is in line with Government’s programme to ensure equitable redress for communities that have launched land claims on national and provincial parks. Part of the 2002 agreement was that the Department of Environmental Affairs together with SANParks would translocate wildlife to one of the ‡Khomani San properties in order to establish a game ranch.
Media are invited to attend.
Details of the event:
Plaque Unveiling:
Venue: Tweerivieren, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Time: 08:30 to 10:30
Date: 4 October 2017
Game Handover:
Venue: Erin Game Ranch, Mier, Northern Cape
Time: 11:00 to 14:30
Date: 4 October 2017
To RSVP Contact:
Kagiso Morukhulane
Tel: 012 399 9986
E-mail: KMorukhulane@environment.gov.za
Eleanor Momberg
Tel: 012 399 9948
Cell: 083 400 5741
E-mail: emomberg@environment.gov.za
For media inquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
