North West Province game farmers express confidence in MEC Desbo Mohono’s ability and leadership to transform the Wildlife Sector
Hundreds of game farmers, wildlife ranchers, breeders, hunters, wildlife trans-locaters, traders, bio-prospectors and game farmer associations representative who converged in Rustenburg town on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 for a much awaited stakeholder meeting with the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development have expressed their confidence in MEC Desbo Mohono’s leadership and vision in taking the department to greater heights and transforming the wildlife sector.
Stephen Palos of the National Confederation of Hunters Association of South Africa (CHASA) said his association believes the department is in good hands and under a capable leader.
“MEC with your leadership, as CHASA, we are confident that there will be changes in the sector, and we want to emphasise that we are more than ready to work with you because we believe that you have a vision and you will guide this sector to the right direction.
“CHASA is ready and determined to work with you in transforming the wildlife sector of the province,” Palos concluded
Same sentiments were shared by his colleague from Wildlife Ranchers of South Africa (WRSA) Mr Mike Gcabo.
Gcabo said WRSA was more than willing to work with the READ Department to assist aspiring game farmers as well as wildlife ranchers in the province.
The objective of this meeting between MEC Desbo Mohono and the important role players was to discuss amongst others issues relating to transformation agenda in the wildlife sector, impediments which may be affecting the growth of the sector and to ensure that the natural resources found in the sector boost the economy and benefit the people of the North West Province.
During the meeting, a list of concerns and challenges were raised. One of those was animal poaching in various game reserves of the province and approval of game and hunting permits which farmers say they take long time to be approved.
Aspiring game farmers and hunters whom mostly were youth, requested MEC Mohono to assist them with funds and necessary training so that they can enter the industry and benefit economically from natural resources which are abundant in the province.
In response to the issues raised, MEC Mohono emphasized that the department was willing to empower all wildlife enthusiasts. “We want to assist you because we are your government. We are refusing to fail you and are ready to assist you financially and technically for you to establish viable wildlife projects”.
“We are working very hard to transform this sector!”Mohono emphasized.
With regard to issues of permits, aspiring game farmers are encouraged to utilize the government online facility of registering and applying for permits.
The NorthWest Biodiversity Electronic Permit System is an online system by government to register and issue various biodiversity permits including but not limited to hunting,keeping and transportation of game, as well as plant species across the country.
The system was launched on the 1st of April 2018 with the aim to improving efficiencies in registration of game and plant species as well as to economically eliminate unnecessary paperwork, maximize participation while allowing participants to register and apply for permits when and where it is most convenient for them from any network-enabled computer or any such devise in the province and country wide.
Applications can be made through the system on https://nw.nipas.co.za.
MEC Mohono encouraged stakeholders to work hand in hand with government to use the natural resources found in the province, particularly in the biodiversity to create sustainable jobs and grow the economy of the province.
“I want everyone to join forces with government so that we can achieve transformation of the wildlife economy with inclusivity and social cohesion necessary for nation building,” MEC Mohono said.
Enquiries:
Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
E-mail: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
