converge in the North West province for a workshop on large predator
hunting
19 March 2007
Madikwe: The North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment is to host a Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional
hunting workshop from Monday, 26 to Tuesday, 27 March 2007 at Tau Lodge in the
Madikwe Game Reserve. This is sequel to the African Hunting Conference that was
held in Dar-er-Salaam, Tanzania, in November 2006.
The aim of the workshop is to provide a platform for a comprehensive scoping
and assessment of gaps and opportunities in the professional hunting industry
in the region. It will also afford the local communities an opportunity to
share hunting experiences with those of their counterparts from the
neighbouring SADC countries.
Among key stakeholders expected to attend and participate in this workshop
are wildlife conservation departments, trainers in wildlife related issues,
professional hunting associations and community representatives. Delegates will
come from countries with major hunting activities in the region such as
Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Because of conservation policies that excluded local communities and African
individuals in the past, scores have been marginalised and denied opportunities
to effectively participate in and benefit from commercial hunting activities.
To exacerbate the situation, marginalised groups lack adequate training in
skills relevant to the industry, have no economic resources such as start-up
capital to establish commercial operations or mentorship opportunities enabling
them to build professional hunting capacity.
"It is our wish to ensure that the workshop addresses issues aimed at
creating an enabling policy environment for professional hunting that provides
opportunities for hunters from previously marginalised groups to participate in
main-stream hunting operations through structured partnerships with already
existing and profitable professional hunting companies," explained MEC for
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mr Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
"We hope that the main outcome of the workshop will be a programme developed
from the participation of all the stakeholders involved and in which all will
be involved in its implementation," said MEC Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
The two day long programme is expected to focus on mainly the
following:
* building the capacity of underprivileged communities in Southern Africa
* establishing a platform of increased access to trade and markets for
previously marginalised professional hunters in the region
* lobbying and advocating for policy and legislation change in the region to
enable disadvantaged communities and individuals to actively participate in the
hunting industry
* raising awareness of the opportunities for sustainable development and
utilisation available in professional hunting.
Members of the media are invited to this workshop.
Enquiries:
Ms Lesego Mncwango
Cell: 078 459 5981
Tel: (018) 389 5768
E-mail: lmncwango@nwpg.gov.za
Ms Bonolo Mohlakoana
Cell: 083 504 3874
Tel: (018) 389 5459
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West
Provincial Government
19 March 2007
