Collaborative efforts are underway to improve the capacity of under-resourced tourism associations along the Mpumalanga-Limpopo Panorama Route under the auspices of the Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Region.
A UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, K2C covers 2.9 million hectares encompassing the Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and other provincial reserves.
A K2C non-profit company was established in 2011 as a vehicle to coordinate activities within the biosphere, including the integration of conservation efforts with community development and responsible tourism.
K2C has since created almost 1 000 jobs in the green economy, supported 55 small, medium and micro enterprises and expanded the scope of declared protected areas by almost 100 000 hectares.
Growing rural tourism
The organisation supports the Ba-Dinkwanyane Tourism Association in the rural Limpopo village of Phiring on the north-western border of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The association was founded by community members who identified tourism as an alternative income stream to farming.
With the assistance of K2C and other partners, the association employs a team of local guides to lead waterfall excursions, mountain hikes, agri-tourism experiences and community interactions.
“We support the association in the tours and experiences they offer – from a hiking trail including a visit to the Tufa waterfall and Gun Rock to learning about the agricultural practices in the area or a visit to a community home for lunch – all of these experiences provide insight to the work being done while showing off special natural resources in this community,” said K2C Finance Officer Angi Ellett.
Building livelihoods
K2C’s livelihoods and enterprise development programmes focus on providing local entrepreneurs, artisans and crafters with training and market linkages enabling them to grow sustainable businesses.
Ellet cited the London Landfill Beneficiation Centre, which empowers waste reclaimers at the Maruleng Local Municipality (encompassing the town of Hoedspruit and surrounding areas) landfill site, as a success story.
“This centre supports the reclaimers by providing them with infrastructure, training and market access for recycling plastic. The plastic is baled and sold to recyclers in Johannesburg, giving the reclaimers a fair price and a sustainable income stream,” said Ellet.
Looking forward, according to Ellet, K2C will continue to deepen its impact through pro-nature enterprise development, climate resilience initiatives and waste beneficiation programmes.
“By working across conservation, community development and sustainable tourism, K2C remains committed to creating a landscape where people and nature thrive together.”
