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Product knowledgeModule 4.3

Attractions and activities

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This publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, and conveyed, communicated or used in any form or by any means, whether in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of SATSA.

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LEARNING UNIT 1: SELECTING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS / PLACES OF INTEREST

Attractions (the point of interest that helps attract tourists to a destination in the first place) are the sites around which tour operators shape their itineraries. Some, like Cape Town, are extensive and inspiring, requiring a full day’s visit. Others such as Cango Caves take only two hours of a tour’s time.

The following questions are important when selecting attractions and activities:

Time needed to visit the attraction – it is unfair to short-change tourists when it comes to time spent at any attraction. Attractions are what originally made the tourists choose a tour, conversely, too much time spent at one place may preclude other important events in the itinerary. One has to be reasonable in assessing the length of stay needed at each site, and make clear the precise time and place the coach will pick up the group.

Best time to see the attraction – though one must not ever leave out something the itinerary promises, one can certainly consider moving things around to adjust for weather or other similar factors. It is wise to get your tour group to the Apartheid Museum early in the morning when the waiting lines are still reasonable, though the itinerary may list an afternoon visit. Even light and temperature can be factors to consider. Remember not to change the visit time if a prearranged appointment was required. Many sites will not permit entry if the group arrives unexpectedly.

Orientation of the group towards the attraction – in many cases an on-site guide will be assigned to the group and will explain everything to the tourists. A tourist guide accompanying the group, should give a short introduction to the attraction just before arriving; this will build the group’s anticipation. For a vast attraction one needs to give a thorough introduction and maps in order to orientate the group to the site and ensure that their time will be used efficiently.

Admission fee – In almost all cases, if the attraction charges an admission fee, that cost is included in the tour price. Unless you have been given the tickets in advance, you will have to get off the coach ahead of the group and go to special customer relations or group sales window to obtain tickets. The admission tickets may have been prearranged or one may have to pay for them by company check or credit card. Make sure to get the group discount price and to give the exact number of tourists. Do not include yourself in the count. If one wants to go in, the attraction usually gives you complimentary admission.

In certain situations, an attraction is a tour option and admission is not included in the tour price. This is often the case when the attraction is physically demanding or adventurous. In this situation, you will have to collect money on the coach from interested tourists before arranging the site visit.

Favourite attractions in South Africa

Current favourite attractions

Your favourite attraction

Current favourite attractions

Your favourite attraction

NORTH WEST PROVINCE GAUTENG

Lost City

Pilanesberg

Soweto

Apartheid Museum

Union Buildings

KWA-ZULU NATAL WESTERN CAPE

Battlefields

Shakaland

Table Mountain

Kirstenbosch

EASTERN CAPE NORTHERN CAPE

Addo Elephant National Park

Tsitsikama

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Namaqualand

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To enable you to compile an interesting programme you need to know which the tourist attractions in the

various areas are. Places of interest will be for a specific tour therefore the Anglo Boer War Battlefields will

be of interest for a Battlefield Tour but not necessarily for a normal tour.

Be careful not to include in the tours what you think is interesting, make sure it is what the overseas

visitor wants to see. You might think that a visit to the Voortrekker Monument with a dinner at the

Museum Restaurant is boring, but remember it is a part of the history of the country and most tourists

find it interesting.

Each city or province will have several tourist attractions. Some of them will be for the local market,

others for the overseas visitor. Gold Reef City, for example, will be for both the local and international

market, but a place like Church Square or the Union Buildings might not interest the local market. Most of

the tourist books and guides will give an indication of these places.

A few points to know about these tourist attractions are:

* What time do they open and close?

* What are the entrance fees applicable?

* Do they have their own guides or do you provide one?

* Which days of the week are they open and closed?

* Do you have to book up front?

A few examples are:

1. The Apartheid Museum is closed on Mondays. You also must book a guide and they will usually

only supply a guide if the number is greater than 10.

2. De Wildt Cheetah Breeding Station is only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for

morning and afternoon tours, hence booking is essential.

3. Lesedi Cultural Village is open 7 days a week and offer a lunch and dinner experience. Booking is

essential and they provide their own guides. It is also important to check time of arrival as each

tour starts at a particular time.

Information such as the above is crucial. You must know these facts about every city in South Africa.

When you work on a specific interest tour, you need to know the topic very well and if not, get expert

advice and knowledge. If you don’t know anything about the Botanical Gardens or the Battle Fields, please

do not compile the programmes unless you have done a lot of research. You need to know who will be the

local guides, e.g. at a specific battlefield or who the curator is of a certain Botanical Garden and also as

much as possible about these people in your preparations for the tours.

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Definitions according to Ivanovic (2008)

Tourism Resource

Any factor that is natural or man-made that is available within a country, region or

area that makes a positive contribution to tourism.

Cultural resource

Any cultural feature, tangible (material) or intangible (non-material), available within

a country, region or area, which makes a positive contribution to cultural tourism.

Culture is an indication of a particular ‘way of life which is ongoing, adaptable and subjected to change. In

other words, it is a process. It can also be the product of intellectual and artistic work.

Aspects of culture (Ivanovic, 2008)

Material aspects

MGTMGT

Tangible and tradable MGTMGT

Comprises of objects (e.g. fine arts, artefacts, churches and shipwrecks.

Non-material aspects

MGTMGT

IntangibleMGTMGT

These are traditional practices and expressions of culture (e.g. rites, ceremonies

and beliefs)

Language MGTMGT

Main medium for transmitting culture.MGTMGT

Facilitates the learning and sharing of cultures.MGTMGT

Language is the first barrier that visitors to a foreign country encounter.

Tourism attraction / siteMGTMGT

A single unit, an individual site or a small-scale geographic area accessible to tourists who are

motivated to visit it in their leisure time for a limited period. MGTMGT

It has also been described as “something interesting or unusual to see or to do” (Ferrario, 1981).MGTMGT

The most important characteristic of a Tourism attraction is that it is managed. MGTMGT

Bennet (1987) distinguishes three types of categories for tourist attractions:

Natural attractions

Built / Man-made attractions

Socio-cultural attractions

Natural attractions

MGTMGT

These attractions have their origin in the physical environment, and can be divided

into climate, scenic beauty and wildlife.MGTMGT

Climate – sun, sea, sand and surf have always been natural attractions. Tourists do

not only visit beach areas for the sunshine, but also for sport and recreating

motives, like surfing, sailing and scuba diving.

MGTMGT

Scenic beauty – tourists that visit picturesque areas, like mountains, are less

concerned about the weather than those who visit the sea or who want to ski.

Mountains chiefly attract people for their scenic beauty and other attractions like

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canyons and rock formations.

MGTMGT

Wildlife – wildlife (the Big 5, birds, and animals) is another and very major natural

attraction. Wildlife can be experienced during a visit to a park for example to the

Kruger National Park. Here you will see different types of animals and vegetation.

Tourists also visit S Africa to watch whales off our coast, and cage diving with great

white sharks has also become an attraction.

MGTMGT

The Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and the Garden Route are well-known

examples of natural attractions in South Africa. MGTMGT

Natural environment assets are usually more successful in attracting tourists, but

they must attract tourists in such a way that the assets remain protected. Tourism

can fail if these assets are made profitable at the cost of destroying the asset that

creates the attraction e.g. coral reefs, forests etc.

Man-made attractions

MGTMGT

These type of tourist attractions have been created by the intervention of man and

can include the following:MGTMGT

“Manufactured” attractions, like the Lost City, historical buildings and theme parks.

Visiting tourists provide income for certain buildings to be conserved. Even

churches and cathedrals can earn extra income for an area. Many tourists visit

museums, for example the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

MGTMGT

Cultural festivals like Aardklop National Arts Festival, Grahamstown National Arts

Festival and the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro attract many tourists. South Africa offers

festivals like the mampoer, cherry, grape, biltong and potato festivals.

MGTMGT

Handicrafts can also be a motivator for people to travel. These form part of the

cultural attractions of South Africa.

MGTMGT

Other man-made attractions includes architecture, parks and gardens, casinos,

speciality shops, and sports events.

Socio-cultural attractions

MGTMGT These relate to history, polities, religion, art, administration, science, economy and

way of life of a community. It is closely associated with a particular culture.MGTMGT

Examples include Way of life Language Religion Traditional dress, customs and folklore History Museums Damage caused by disasters Slums / informal townships Prostitution Gambling

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Prime attraction

Main reason for tourists visiting an area

Secondary attraction

Sites visited on route to or from a primary attraction.

Tourist destination

A large area which includes a number of individual attractions.

Main types of attractions (Ivanovic, 2008)

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Natural attractions

Flora and fauna, wildlife, mountains, beaches, caves, rivers

Man-made attractions(Not designed specifically for Tourism use)

Monuments, archaeological sites, religious

places (churches, temple etc.), historic houses, fortresses, steam railways,

industrial heritage.

Man-made attractions(Purpose built to attract tourists)

Influence the overall attractiveness of a cultural destination)

Climate, scenery, sense of a place, hospitality, cultural landscape, wildlifeZoos, museums, theme and amusement parks, cultural villages, casinos, picnic

sites, spas

Special Events(Temporary attractions with limited

lifespan)

Festivals, celebrations, religious celebrations fairs, art exhibitions, parades,

sports events

Ambient attractions(Influence the overall attractiveness of a cultural

destination)

Climate, scenery, sense of a place, hospitality, cultural landscape, wildlife

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Activities

The following are examples of various activities which can be included in your tour:

River cruises Rock climbing Agricultural sites Fly fishing Watersports

Hiking Tractor rides Quad bike trails Bungi jumping Star gazing

4x4 Trails Mountain biking Bird watching River rafting Scuba diving

Gemstone

Tours

Botanical Gardens Shows – Arts Team building Stargazing

Cave tours Whale watching Hot air ballooning Game drives Museums

Canoeing Mountaineering Deep sea fishing Surfing Theme parks

Angling Abseiling Sun bathing Shopping Paddling

Wine routes Horse trails Township tours Historical sites Boat trips

Mine tours Golf outings Rail Camping Helicopter

When gathering information you can use the checklist mentioned below to ensure that

you obtain all the relevant information. This can be done for all activities and attractions

and stored in the filing system.

Checklist for other attractions, products and services

Name of attraction:

Contact Details: Tel: Fax:

e-mail:

Contact person:

Location:

Open & Close (Time)

Organised tours

Duration of tour

Facilities available

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Booking required

Curios’ & shops -

Parking

N0. pax

Entry fee

Children

Adults

Senior citizens

What is included in the fee

Notes & comments e.g. suitability for different types of tourists, disabled etc.

Reservations with other suppliers

Research: As with all other suppliers it is crucial to determine the needs of the customer, especially when

deciding which activities to include in the itinerary. The needs of the customers will guide the tour

operator in determining which activities or attractions to visit. If the tourist or customers are not

interested in history, there is no need to take them to museums. By the same token you are unlikely to

take a group of retired couples bungi jumping or white water rafting. It is also important that you know

the area where you are planning to travel – all the possible attractions, distances between places,

entrance fees, length of visit and so on.

Options: When planning the itinerary, it is important that you have all the possibilities available to

include in the tour. The cost of the different activities needs to be included in the tour price and need to

be determined beforehand. Look at all the options and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Decision: Make your decision as to what you want to visit and make the reservations.

Benefits of using a particular supplier

As a tour operator, you will probably make use of the same suppliers over and over again if they

deliver the expected service. You will then get to know them and their product better and they will be

able to deliver a better service because they know your type of customers. The following can be seen as

benefits of using a particular supplier.

* Confidence in a supplier

* Quality service

* Well-known product

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* Good track record

* Special fares and rates

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LEARNING UNIT 2: DIFFERENT TYPES OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Biomes

MGTMGT

These areas throughout the world are easily recognised because of the regional climate that interacts with the different factors and substrates of an area.

MGTMGT

These are the largest recognised communities on land. The specific names of biomes come from the climax species of vegetation that occurs in the region.

South Africa has 9 vegetation biomes http://bgis.sanbi.org/vegmap/biomes.asp viewed on 12 July 2015Savannah Biome

Mixed grassland and trees and generally known as bushveld eg. Protected areas within this biome: Kruger National-, Kglagadi Transfrontier -, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi – and Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park.

Nama-Karoo Biome

Mainly scrubland and grass, with trees limited to watercourses. Due to overgrazing and easily eroded soil surfaces, it is extending into the neighbouring Savannah. Examples are the Karoo - and Augrabies National Parks.

Desert biome This is a true desert environment (Namib desert) with extremely harsh conditions. Only a small part occurs in South Africa (Richtersveld). The climate is summer rainfall but characterised by very dry conditions.

Grassland Biome

Summer-rainfall area with heavy thunderstorms and hail, frost in the winter. Trees are scarce. It contains a high percentage of indigenous plants, three mammal species (black wildebeest, blesbok and eland) that don’t occur outside this biome and a large variety of birds.

Succulent Karoo Biome

Winter rainfall area with extremely dry and hot summers. For this reason, succulents are plentiful. One of the natural wonders of South Africa is the annual blossoming of Namaqualand wild flowers (Mainly Asteraceae-family) The Richtersveld has typical quiver tree. Other parks: Tankwa-Karoo and Namaqua National Parks.

Fynbos Biome Winter rainfall-area, and fynbos vegetation similar to that of Mediterranean regions. Fynbos is the name given to a group of evergreen plants with small, hard leaves. Made up of three groups of plants namely the proteas, the heathers (e.g. Erica family) and restios. Not very rich in bird and mammal life. .

Forest Biome The only significant ones are the Knysna and Tsitsikamma forests. Animals included the endangered samango monkey, the bushbuck, the bushpig and the blue duiker.

Thicket Biome Subtropical thicket is a closed shrubland to low forest, dominated by evergreen succulent trees, shrubs and vines.

Indian Ocean Coastal Belt

Biome

Covers the whole of the KwaZulu-Natal coast and the the ‘Wild coast’ (Eastern Cape. n summer the climate is very hot and humid, and winters are mild, with less rain and hardly any frost.

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MGT

DEFINITION

MGT

DEFINITION

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BIODIVERSITY / BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

• The variety of life on Earth.

• It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-

organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.

Adapted from

http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/what_is_biodiversity/

FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY

South Africa, as a biodiversity-rich country, is committed to the conservation and sustainable

management of biological resources. Biodiversity-related multi-lateral agreements include:

Convention on Biological Diversity

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ramsar Convention

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Convention to Combat Desertification

Convention on Migratory Species

Nagoya Protocol.

South Africa occupies only 2% of the world's surface area but is home to:

- nearly 10% of the world's plants (approximately 24 000 species)

- around 7% of the world's vertebrate species

- and 5,5% of the world's known insect species (only about half of the latter have been

described),

In terms of the number of endemic species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, South

Africa ranks as the fifth richest country in Africa and the 24th-richest in the world.

Marine biological diversity is also high, over 11 000species are found in South African waters,

which is about15% of global species, with more than 25% of these marine species (or 3 496

species) being endemic to South Africa.

A high proportion are threatened, especially in river ecosystems (82%) and estuaries (77%).

Table 1.1 Recorded species South Africa

NB: These numbers are constantly being adjusted.

Birds 900 Lizards 250Terrestrial mammals 243 Freshwater fish 220Marine mammals 37 Butterflies Over 660Marine Fishes Over 2 00 Trees 1 500Crocodiles 1 Flowering Plants 24 000Snakes 130 Cycads 39Terrapins Insects About - 80 000

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Tortoise (land) 13TurtlesAmphibians (Frogs) 130

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

These areas hold especially high numbers of endemic species, yet their combined area

of remaining habitat cover only 2.3 percent of the Earth's land surface. Each hotspot

faces extreme threats and has already lost at least 70 percent of its original natural

vegetation. Over 50 percent of the world’s plant species and 42 percent of all

terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots. Adapted

from http://www.cepf.net/resources/hotspots/Pages/default.aspx

Three internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots are found in South Africa:

the Cape Floral Kingdom (equivalent to the Fynbos Biome)

Succulent Karoo Biome (shared with Namibia) – it is one of only two arid biodiversity hotspots

in the world (the other being the Horn of Africa).

Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Centre of Plant Endemism, which stretches from the Albany

Centre in the Eastern Cape, through the Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism and KwaZulu-

Natal, the eastern side of Swaziland and into southern Mozambique and Mpumalanga.

PROTECTED AREAS AND RESERVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

By mid-2011, South Africa had 528 protected areas, of which 20 were marine (South African Yearbook

2012/13).

NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL PARKS

SAN Parks manages a system of parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscapes

and associated cultural heritage of the country. Of all the national parks, most have overnight

tourist facilities, with an unrivalled variety of accommodation in arid, coastal, mountain and

bushveld habitats.

The Kruger National park is the flagship of the South African national parks.

South African National Parks (SANParks)

1. Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park2. Addo Elephant National Park 3. Agulhas National Park 4. Augrabies Falls National Park 5. Bontebok National Park 6. Camdeboo National Park 7. Garden Route National Park8. Golden Gate Highlands National Park 9. Karoo National Park 10. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Emzemvelo KZN WildlifeControls more than a 100 Nature Reserves in KwaZulu-Natal.Some of the most prominent are the following:

St Lucia Wilderness (World heritage site)

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park Huluhluwe-Umfolosi

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11. Kruger National Park 12. Mapungubwe National Park 13. Marakele National Park 14. Mokala National Park (previously

Vaalbos)15. Mountain Zebra National Park 16. Namaqua National Park 17. Table Mountain National Park 18. Tankwa Karoo National Park 19. West Coast National Park

Mkuzi Itala Oribi Gorge

Other Provincial/Regional ParksTo mention a few:

Pilanesberg Blyde River Canyon Wolkberg wilderness Baviaanspoort wilderness area Ceder

Honorary Officers (Rangers)

Thirty years ago, the Natal Parks Board accepted the offer of the public (who were interested in

conserving nature for future generations) to assist them. Today, Honorary Officer, as they have

become known, still plays an important role in participating in Conservation in the province.

They work over weekends or busy periods, providing skills and service, all of this without any

remuneration.

TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREAS / ‘PEACE PARKS’

South Africa is in the process of establishing transfrontier conservation areas

(TFCAs) in cooperation with its neighbouring countries.

They are managed jointly for long-term sustainable use of natural resources

although the areas are still separated by fences, or other barriers.

TFCAs aim to facilitate and promote regional peace, cooperation and socio-

economic development.

It facilitates easy movement across international boundaries into adjoining

conservation areas.

South Africa is involved in the following transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), also known as

"peace parks":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_areas_of_South_Africa#Transfrontier_conservation_areas

Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: includes the Richtersveld in South Africa and the Fish

RiverCanyon and Ai-Ais Hot Springs in Namibia

• Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park: includes Kruger National Park and parks in Mozambique and

Zimbabwe

• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: includes the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South

Africa and Gemsbok National Park and Mabuasehube Game Reserve in Botswana

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• Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area: includes Golden Gate Highlands National

Park, Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and Royal Natal

National Park in South Africa, and Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho

• Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area: Mapungubwe National Park in South

Africa, Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana, and Tuli Circle Safari Area in Zimbabwe

• Nsubane Pongola Transfrontier Conservation Area: including Phongolo Nature Reserve in South

Africa and various farms in Swaziland

• Songimvelo-Malolotja Transfrontier Conservation Area: including Songimvelo Game Reserve in

South Africa and Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland

• Usuthu-Tembe-Futi Transfrontier Conservation Area: including Ndumo Game Reserve and

Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa, Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique, and Usuthu

Gorge Conservancy in Swaziland.

• The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, involving South Africa, Mozambique and

Swaziland, is planned to be formed from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Nsubane

Pongola, Songimvelo-Malolotja and Usuthu-Tembe-Futi TFCAs.

BIOSPHERE RESERVES

• Protected terrestrial and coastal environments of International conservation importance, which is unique in combining both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

• Community driven programmes assisted by government agencies

• Amendment Act, 2004 protects South Africa's biosphere reserves,

which are generally formed around existing core conservation areas.

• Kogelberg Reserve (Western Cape Province)

• Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province)

• Waterberg Biosphere Reserve (Limpopo Province)

• Kruqer-to-Canyons Biosphere Reserve (Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga)

• Cape Wine lands Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province)

• Vhembe Region Biosphere (Limpopo Province)

• The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province)

• The Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve (Gauteng/NW Province)

•

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WORLD HERITAGE SITES

• A World Heritage Site is an area that is deemed to have exceptional universal value: One of a kind in the world.

• A valuable cultural or natural place that must be protected because if it disappeared, there would be no such examples of it in the world.

• It is protected and preserved against threats of changing social and

economic conditions and natural decay.

South Africa’s World Heritage Sites Robben Island

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (Cradle of Humankind)

iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously Greater St.Lucia)

Maloti-Drakensberg Park (previously Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg)

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

The Cape Floral region protected areas

Vredefort Dome (Vredefort Meteorite Impact Crater)

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape

RAMSAR Wetlands • These are declared in terms of the “Conservation on Wetlands of

International Importance”, especially as waterfowl habitat.• This was framed together in the city of RAMSAR in Iran, February 1971. This

lead to the shorting of the name to the RAMSAR Convention.

• Barberspan

• Blesbokspriut

• Nysvlei

• Makuleke

• Verlorenvlei Nature Res

• Seekoeivlei

• Natal Drakensberg Park

• Ndumo wetland

• Kosi Bay

• Sibaya

• St Lucia

• Turtle Beaches & Coral reefs of

Tongaland

• Ntsikeni Nature Reserve

• Prince Edwards Islands (Sub-Antartic)

• Wilderness lake

• De Hoop Vlei

• De Mond State Forest

• Langebaan

• Verlorenvlei / WC

• Orange River Mouth

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAs)• Established to protect our marine biodiversity, and to look after our marine

and coastal resources

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• Each has a management plan that regulates activities in it e.g. prohibiting

species and daily bag limits.

• Government shares joint responsibility for South Africa's MPAs with SAN

Parks and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

South Africa has 23 Marine Protected Areas

The following MPA’s are located in KwaZulu-Natal

1. Marine Protected Areas[edit]

2. Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (KwaZulu-Natal)

3. Betty's Bay Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

4. Bird Island Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

5. De Hoop Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

6. Dwesa-Cwebe Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

7. Goukamma Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

8. Helderber Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

9. Hluleka Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

10. iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (KwaZulu-Natal)

11. Jutten Island Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

12. Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

13. Malgas Island Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

14. Marcus Island Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

15. Prince Edward Island Marine Protected Area (Southern)

16. Pondoland Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

17. Robberg Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

18. Sardinia Bay Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

19. Sixteen Mile Beach Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

20. Stilbaai Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

21. Table Mountain Marine Protected Area (Western Cape)

22. Trafalgar Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

23. Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape)

NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS (NBGS)

• SANBI (the South African National Biodiversity Institute) manages nine national

botanical gardens (NBGs) in six of South Africa's nine provinces.

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The largest garden is Kirstenbosch, situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Others

include the following:

• Karoo Desert NBG in Worcester

• Harold Porter NBG in Betty's Bay

• Free State NBG in Bloemfontein

• KwaZulu-Natal NBG in Pietermaritzburg

• Lowveld NBG in Mbombela

• Walter Sisulu in Roodepoort Mogale City

• Pretoria NBG – houses the National Herbarium of South Africa, the largest in the southern

hemisphere.

• Hantam NBG - located in the Northern Cape.

HERBARIUM • It is a collection of preserved plant specimens (usually dried, or kept in

alcohol or other preservative) and associated data used for scientific study.

NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS (NBGS)

• There are a number of zoological gardens in South Africa.

• Pretoria National Zoological Gardens is the only one with national status and is

reckoned among the world’s top ten.

• It also includes an Aquarium and Reptile Park.

• It a leader in the breeding and researching of endangered species.

“The Big Five”Lion

LeopardCape Buffalo

ElephantRhino

The Small fiveRhinoceros beetle

Elephant shrewAnt Lion

Buffalo weaverLeopoard Tortoise

The Big Six of BirdsMartial Eagle

Lappet-faced vultureGround hornbill

Kori BustardSaddle-billed stork

Pel’s Fishing owl

The Big Three MarineSouthern Right

WhaleGreat White Shark

Bottlenose Dolphin

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Many of the attractions in South Africa comprise of natural resources. The sustainability of these natural

attractions is based on the protection, maintenance, and appropriate development of those areas. This,

in turn, requires proper management of all the interrelated elements of these attractions such as the

natural habitat, the flora and the fauna.

Specific bodies have been established such as the South African National Parks and the National

Botanical Institute for this purpose.

Legal measures include the following:

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MGTMGT International conventions and policy documents (See biodiversity) MGTMGT The Constitution MGTMGT National legislation MGTMGT Provincial legislation MGTMGT Municipal by-laws

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND POLICY DOCUMENTS

South Africa is party to more than 50 International Conventions directly or indirectly relating to the

environment (Vrancken, 2002). Here follow some examples:

• 1972 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• 1972 World Heritage Convention for the protection of the World Cultural and Natural

Heritage.

• 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

• 1972 Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment.

• 1980 World Conservation Strategy.

• 1982 World Charter for Nature.

• 1994 Policy and Strategy for Environment and Sustainable Development: Toward Equity-led

Growth and Sustainable Development in Southern Africa (adopted by the SADC countries.

• 1992 Agenda 21 adopted by 182 countries in Rio (plan to secure sustainable future of the

planet).

• 1997 Kyoto Protocol (aimed at fighting global warming).

• 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity.

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

Constitution

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No 108 of 1996, contains an environmental right in its

Bill of Rights (Chapter 2, section 24). The environmental right reads:

“Everyone has the right -

(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and

(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through

reasonable legislative and other measures that

(i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation;

(ii) promote conservation; and

(iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting

justifiable economic and social development”

There are several other rights that are relevant to environmental governance in South Africa. These

include the right of access to information needed for the exercise or protection of any rights and the

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right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair (Constitution of South

Africa, 1996, section 32 and 33(1)).

National Environmental Management Act no 107 of 1998 (NEMA)MGTMGT

The principles of Agenda 21 have been incorporated into South African law by the National

Environmental Management Act, 1998: (NEMA). MGTMGT

It provides an environmental conservation policy and coordinate environmental policies,

plans, programmes and decisions of the relevant departments. MGTMGT NEMA also created the following institutions to assist with the above:

- National Environmental Advisory Forum

- Committee for Environmental CoordinationMGTMGT It includes, among others, the following principles:

- The environment is held in public trust for the people. The beneficial use of

environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be

protected as the people's common heritage.

- Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its

concern.

- Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

- Parties responsible for pollution, environmental damage etc. are responsible for the cost

of restoration. MGTMGT NEMA replaced the provision of the ECA with regards to environmental conservation policy and

institutions.MGTMGT ECA provides for the following:

- Protection of the natural environment - declaration of an area as a protected natural

environment (PNE) or special nature reserve.

- The control of environmental pollution - prohibits littering on any land or water surface,

street, road or site to which the public has access.

- The control of activities that may have a detrimental effect on the environment. ECA

empowers the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to identify activities that

may be recreational, which, in his or her opinion, may have a substantial detrimental

effect on the environment in general or in certain areas (e.g. driving with 4x4 vehicles on

the beach).

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57, 2003 (NEMPAA)

NEMPAA provides for the declaration and management of protected areas in South Africa. It replaced

the National Parks Act (1976). E.g. National Parks.

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The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act no 10 of 2004. (NEMBA)

It provides for the … MGTMGT

Management and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity within the framework of NEMA.MGTMGT

Protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection.MGTMGT

Sustainable use of indigenous biological resources.MGTMGT

Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting involving indigenous biological

resources.MGTMGT

Establishment and functions of a South African National Biodiversity Institute and for matters

connected therewith.

World Heritage Convention Act (WHCA) 1999 MGTMGT

This provides for the incorporation of the World Heritage Convention into South African law. MGTMGT

It creates a framework to ensure that the convention and the operational guidelines are

effectively implemented in SA, subject to the constitution and the provisions of this act. MGTMGT

The WHCA ensures the cultural and environmental protection and sustainable development of

World Heritage Sites.

Other national legislation with regards to the environment includes the following:MGTMGT National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Zone Management ActMGTMGT Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act 1973 (SBSPA)MGTMGT Forest Act, 1984 (NFA)MGTMGT National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 MGTMGT Marine Living Resource Act, 1998 (MLRA)MGTMGT National Water Act, 1998 (NWA)MGTMGT National Heritage Resources Act 1999 (Cultural Heritage sites)

PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION

Some of the provinces developed their own nature conservation legislation such as the Mpumalanga

Nature Conservation Act, 1998, and the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act, 1997. The

regulations at provincial level are wide in scope and generally touch upon issues of conservation of wild

animals, fish and flora and include the regulation of hunting and (non-commercial) fishing. Of interest to

4x4 enthusiasts is that there is a general prohibition on the use of vehicles on the seashore.

Only national government can pass legislation regulating nature conservation issues in national parks – in

other words, provincial legislation cannot be applied in national parks

(http://www.krugertimes.com/krugernews/sanparks.htm)

MUNICIPAL LAWS AND NATIONAL PARKS

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“Municipal bylaws are public regulatory laws which apply in a certain area. The main difference between a

bylaw and a law passed by a national/federal or regional/state body is that a bylaw is made by a non-

sovereign body, which derives its authority from another governing body, and can only be made on a

limited range of matters. A local council or municipal government gets its power to pass laws through a

law of the national or regional government which specifies what things the town or city may regulate

through bylaws. It is therefore a form of delegated legislation”. (Adapted from http:// www.wikipedia.com

viewed on 16 October 2010). http://www.krugertimes.com/krugernews/sanparks.htm 2011/02/05:

“Municipal legislation applies to national parks, where appropriate and where it does not conflict with

national legislation regulating national conservation. These include municipal rates and tax legislation,

municipal building regulations relating to water and sanitation, waste, electricity reticulation and so on.

Where a municipality is unable or unwilling to provide municipal services, Sanparks may, in agreement

with the relevant municipality, provide these services in a national park”.

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