DEVELOPMENT - Management

The overall reserve management is done by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). Private and community land owners have in effect ceded the conservation management of their land to the MTPA. The MTPA in turn satisfy their conservation mandates through conservation of a larger area which is a very important priority conservation area according to nationally and internationally identified criteria. This also offers significant economies of scale in terms of management costs. Broadly speaking, these management functions include everything from conservation and biological management through to maintaining the game fence, firebreaks and general road upkeep - all the tasks normally associated with management of a reserve.

These management functions are performed through a compliment of dedicated staff appointed for the reserve by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. Current staff positions include a Reserve Manager, a Section Head, twelve rangers and a community liaison officer. The reserve staff are also backed up by a range of other services available within the MTPA from scientific services, game capture and management, anti-poaching units and a regional management structure. Additional unskilled labourers are contracted from surrounding communities and the reserve’s community partners to address specific needs.

Front from left: MTPA Regional Manager Mr Louis Loock, Reserve Manager Mr. Nicholas Simelane and Section Head Mr. Jeremiah Myeni with the trustees of Lomshiyo Trust (back) on a site visit to the reserve.

A key task is relations with adjoining communities. Through an ongoing process of engagement the reserve aims to also enhance the benefits received by surrounding communities. This not only includes controlled harvesting of sustainable resources in the reserve and a programme of preferential employment but also training and skills transfer to enable these communities to play an increasingly meaning full role in the future of the reserve.

Each tourism development within the reserve will also have its own staff component which will be dedicated to their respective areas of development. In the case of the Mountainlands Estate, comprising the 18 private lodges in the reserve, this currently consist of an Estate Manager and six staff members. The Estate staff operates in close cooperation with the reserve staff, each within the ambit of their respective responsibilities.

The four founding members of the reserve contribute to the management of the reserve through regular Mountainlands Executive Committee meetings to direct activities, discuss developmental and other matters of common interest.