The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs held the annual game auction on 9 and 10 April 2010 at Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve. This was the 25th and the oldest government auction in South Africa, which attracts no less than 200 buyers from South Africa and abroad.
The game auction is part of the game management plan which manages game population. Before the auction the department had a livestock of 28000 animals in the reserves. With the absence of predators in the reserves, game auction remains the most viable method of controlling game population.
During the two day event, 1 362 animals from 18 species were sold to the highest bidders. The game ranged from Blesbok, Buffalo, White rhino, Springbuck, Kudu, Sable, Ostrich, Red Hartebeest, Zebra, etc. This game auction is catalogue based and it is divided into hunting packages and live animals. This year, the department put on auction 947 game animals, 415 carcass packages and 82 hunts.
Transformation of the game industry is still one of the key priorities in the department. In its quest to introduce the black communities in the industry, for 2010 only the department donated game and land to the following emerging game farmers: S Dube, J Kobo, J Muller, D Mashinini, V Marumo, A Nakhuda, T Mahlelehlele and N Mompati. In addition to that, workshops and information sessions have been held to further capacitate these beneficiaries.
Game farmers, both previously advantaged and well established, agreed about the importance of instigating cooperation agreements and partnerships to ensure further growth and development of the industry. The culmination of these initiatives will undoubtedly contribute immensely to the economic growth, prosperity and the development of the province.
The Director for Conservation and Eco-Tourism, Mr Thabang Selemela said the 2010 auction proved to be a great success. This became evident with a gratifying revenue generated, with the highest bid paid for five Buffalos and hunting packages for R3000 000.00.
As part of this game auction, there were mountain bike race, marathon, food stalls, beer tent and crafters to create a festive atmosphere. This event also presented crafters and business people with an opportunity to exhibit and sell their products. This helped to directly put income into the hands of these business people whilst contributing to the economy of the province.
For more information contact:
Elsie Ntsane
Tel: 051 400 9550/9548
E-mail: ntsane@detea.fs.gov.za,
Festy Nyamate
Tel: 051 400 9550/9548
E-mail: nyamatef@dteea.fs.gov.za,
Josial Ramokoena
Tel: 051 400 9550/9548
E-mail: ramokoenam@dteea.fs.gov.za
