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News Release: SANParks reaches out to communities with a dedicated levy

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Date: 29th June 2011

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has made it known of its plans to reach out to communities in areas adjacent to national parks under its management through a 1% community levy charged on every booking booked for next year.

This according to SANParks Senior General Manager: Corporate Social Investment, Elizabeth Mhlongo, who said all new accommodation and activity bookings made with arrival date of 01 June 2012 onwards will include a 1% community levy. “The objective of this levy is to respond to the diverse needs of communities as well as designing sustainable and strategic partnerships with various communities within and beyond national parks.”

She said it is SANParks view that communities neighboring various national parks should be afforded an opportunity to derive value through activities which take place within the protected areas… “This levy provides a perfect opportunity for both SANParks and its guests to be philanthropic and assist in the creation of legacy projects in those communities.”  

The levy will be used to create amongst others health and education facilities, such as clinics and schools. It will also assist in kick starting water and sanitation projects in those communities. “We are quite excited with this project and hope that our guests will be equally ecstatic to be part of this venture that strives to have community changing implications,” concludes Mhlongo. 

Issued by:                   
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli, General Manager: Media Liaison, Events & Stakeholder Relations, Tel: (012) 426 5203, Mobile: 073 373 4999, e-mail: reyt@sanparks.org 

Media Enquiries:        
Elizabeth Mhlongo – Senior GM: Corporate Social Investment, Tel: (012) 426 5173, Mobile: 076 747 0836, e-mail: elizabeth.mhlongo@sanparks.org