Ndlovu praises KNP staff, urges communities to help protect wildlife

Dignitaries and guests gather at Skukuza Rest Camp

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has lauded the role played by Kruger National Park’s staff in preserving the park.

He was speaking at the Kruger Park’s centenary celebration official launch in Skukuza.

This year marks 100 years since the Kruger National Park was formally proclaimed.

Ndlovu calls on citizens, especially neighboring communities, to play a meaningful role in protecting wildlife at the park.

“Our brave rangers, the honest men and women on the front line who risk their lives daily to protect wildlife against the persistent threat of poaching. Our scientists and conservationists, whose groundbreaking research keeps the delicate ecosystem thriving. Our neighboring communities, whose indigenous knowledge, patience and partnership have been the foundation of the park’s success and survival over the years.”

WATCH | Seven communities have signed a beneficiation scheme agreement with SANParks at Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. pic.twitter.com/DTYf3QRjZO

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 30, 2026

Preserve tourist attractions

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has emphasised the need to preserve tourist attractions such as the Kruger National Park.

De Lille was among the dignitaries attending the official launch of the Kruger National Park’s centenary celebrations in Skukuza.

“Indeed we are here tonight to commemorate 100 years of the Kruger National Park but at the same time to honor the previous generations of rangers, of scientists, of the communities that have built and protect the Kruger National Park. Now we have to preserve that for future generations. Yes it’s a very iconic tourism establishment. It’s known all over the world. We’re very proud of it and we will continue to market it as such.”

Safety of tourists

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Willie Aucamp, says a lot is being done to ensure the safety of tourists in the Kruger National Park.

Aucamp says they will not only deploy additional rangers in certain strategic areas of the park but will also use the latest technology to enhance the safety of visitors. This comes after the recent murder of a couple, Ernst Marais and his wife, Dina. They were allegedly stabbed to death in a river close to Crooks’ Corner in the secluded northern Pafuri section of the park.

Aucamp spoke to the members of the media ahead of Sunday night’s launch of the Kruger National Park’s centenary celebration in the Skukuza Rest Camp.

“I firmly believe that the Kruger National Park is still one of the safest, if not the safest place in the country. And we should not let the people that committed this heinous crime win. If we are going to stay away, they will win. The Kruger National Park has always been safe. We have always have a lot of safety measures in place. Once you drive through our gates and you get your permit and you go through that security, everybody that’s done that before will know that there’s a lot of security. Our rangers that are in the field, our dog units, our helicopters, our technology that we’ve got, that’s always been there. And that is maybe why in 100 years only once did this happen.”