Xenophobic attacks could undo years of successful work that has established the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), managed as part of cross-border relationships in the research, tourism, cultural heritage, science and conservation functions, SANParks said.  

According to CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, SANParks enjoys good working relations with countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya, among others. These relationships assist in efforts to stay abreast of current trends in conservation, tourism and related fields.

SANParks bought into the concept of TFCAs, facilitated by the Peace Parks Foundation, in support of reconnecting with shared cultures that had been divided by centuries of conflict and colonialism. “The Transfrontier Conservation Areas are not just about conservation, they are also about building bridges within southern African society and breaking down the artificial barriers that were created between people by our colonial history. We fear that the current wave of attacks on our fellow Africans will undermine the good work that has been done in this regard,” Mketeni said.

SANParks forms part of a number of TFCAs – Richtersveld, bordering Namibia; Kgalagadi with Botswana and Namibia; Maloti Drakensberg with Lesotho; Great Limpopo with Mozambique and Zimbabwe; and Greater Mapungubwe with Botswana and Zimbabwe. 

SANParks said it had already had a number of booking cancellations from neighbouring countries due to the message being spread that foreign nationals were not welcome in SA.