THE Kruger Park Recovery Fund is fast gaining momentum, with more help from local and private sector.
These are the words of assurance from the hardworking Minister of Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment- Willie Aucamp, during his 100 days in office, tabling the report to members of the press at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, recently.
These efforts include generating over 20,000 work opportunities as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) while we also have employed 526 unemployed graduates through the Municipal Environmental Graduates Programme. These efforts support the country’s apex priorities of inclusive growth, sustainable job creation, and economic growth, whilst we are also safeguarding environmental integrity,” said the minister.
He did confirm that R56m funding has been allocated by the department of Tourism, that will be channelled to the EPWP meant for cleaning and restoring the dignity associated within the park, that lost millions due to flooding.
“South Africa is feeling the effects of climate change in real time, having recently experienced severe floods in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. These floods, like the earlier floods that affected our coastal provinces, led to a number of fatalities and people lost their homes and livelihoods, while communities lost critical public infrastructure,” said Aucamp.
This is climate change in action and we must be resolute in our actions, he promised.
It was also confirmed the Kruger Honorary would also benefit from international funding.
The fund has thus far collected R3m, and to ascertain no discrepancies happen, an independent auditing firm has been appointed to oversee the fund.
On Climate Change – Mitigation and Adaptation, he said: ”This priority focuses on the implementation of the Climate Change Act, with a strong focus on mitigation of climate change and adaptation to the effects thereof, while also enhancing the cleaning and greening programme.
In this regard, I welcome the appointment of the new Presidential Climate Commission by President Ramaphosa in December last year,” he continued.
The burning issue of rhino-poaching that continues to hog headlines, the minister confirmed the number has decreased due to technology implemented to mitigate poaching in the park and other areas.
“Earlier this month (February), we announced the 2025 rhino poaching statistics where we had witnessed a 16% decline in rhino poaching compared to 2024.
In the January to December period, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms.
This was a decrease of 68 in comparison to 420 rhinos poached in 2024.
This decline was achieved through dedication, and tactical and swift coordination, South Africa’s anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts. In this regard I want to thank the efforts of all our rangers as well as the private sector and private rhino farmers,” he confirmed.
“In my first hundred days, my Department has also processed a total number of 80 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications, 54 of which were from the energy generation and transmission infrastructure sector, which effectively responds to the energy crisis in the country.
This enabled a total of 4861 megawatts of electricity generation capacity. Furthermore, we have managed to make necessary amendments to the EIA Regulations to better align mining and environmental legislation, these will be published in due course,” he said.
“As the appeals authority, these are important developments in supporting the growth and stability of the mining and energy sectors. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to emphasize it: successful environmental sustainability is not intended to obstruct development, but rather, is intended to support economic growth and development that protects and conserves our environment.
With reference to fishing industry a further amount of more than 70 appeals have already been adjudicated by the minister and the outcome on these appeals will be announced on 5 March 2026, cited Aucamp.
“The finalisation of these matters demonstrates sustained progress in the consideration of statutory appeals and underscores “my Department’s commitment to upholding the principles of administrative justice, regulatory compliance, and sound environmental governance within the prescribed legislative frameworks.
“I have also approved the appointment of additional qualified legal professional personnel in the appeals department to ensure that we eradicate the backlog of appeals and that we, in the future, will be able to lessen the time that it takes to finalise appeal matters.”
On Waste management, Aucamp said:
- I had the privilege of conducting a site visit of the Atlantis Waste Tyre Depot in Cape Town where our engagements underscored the importance of an integrated waste tyre value chain that delivers environmental outcomes while simultaneously driving industrial activity, SMME participation, and sustainable economic growth within the circular economy.
- This visit also speaks to our efforts to prioritize the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs as a strategic mechanism to strengthen environmentally sound waste management while unlocking economic value and creating jobs.
- To this end, I also had the opportunity to engage with some Producer Responsibility Organisations at the POLYCO 2026 Strategic Overview meeting in encouraging strong partnerships for the advancement of South Africa’s transition to a circular economy.
In referral to strengthening service delivery and operational efficiency, he pointed out, “we need to ensure that we have the right capacity with well qualified, experienced and representative individuals steering this sector.”
“To achieve this, we’ve made significant progress on employment equity having achieved
- 50% representation of women at Senior Management Service level and
- 17% youth representation across our workforce – contributing to the broader vision of an inclusive and equitable society.
- While our Department’s 2% representation of persons with disabilities might be a good start towards inclusivity, I believe we can do better to improve access to skills and employment opportunities for persons living with disabilities.”
He also mentioned he handed over back delegations to all various DDG’s in his department.
“The fact that their delegations were previously revoked, led to underspending in a number of key delivery areas. I am glad to announce that since I gave them their delegations back, we could see an immediate improvement on required spending in these key areas, which will lead to a huge improvement in the services that this Department must provide to the people of South Africa.
This priority aims to ensure that the highest standards of fiscal accountability, prudence and long-term stability are upheld through a comprehensive spending review. Thus, improving public trust and securing public-private partnerships and donor funding, “continued Aucamp, who is a big supporter of Vodacom Bulls and Orlando Pirates that beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in the Soweto Derby this past weekend.
On his department receiving unqualified audit outcome for the 2024/25 financial year, the minister said he was happy with the results but more needs to be improved, and also emphasized the acceleration of streamlined governance and compliance processes that empower and support economic growth, while ensuring environmental protection.
He also mentioned that the focus will be to reform ‘our iconic natural sites into first-class destinations that set new standards for conservation, education and sustainable tourism’.
These iconic sites includes all the National Parks within SANParks as well as Isimangaliso and all the Botanical Gardens under SANBI.
Another priority area isCoasts for People and Nature.The aim of this priority is to empower coastal communities to sustainably access and work the ocean economy with a strong focus on promoting marine conservation.
As we wrapped-up a long, sunny day, having to leave Jozi at 5am, we went for a game drive, where-upon the minister, this time in a khakhi short and a blue T-shirt, being our tour-guide, showed us the bridges that were impacted by floods.
Unfortunately, we only saw a leopard and rounds of elephant dungs, so were jackals that were enjoying a sundowner in one of SA’s celebrated parks’.
Image SLM (The very composed minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment- Willie Aucamp, recorded during interview with media at Skukuza Camp, Kruger National Park, as part of his 100 Days in office).
