The Great Limpopo Transfrontier National Park which links three
countries is a unique opportunity for Southern African eco-tourism
and co-operation, said President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday at the
opening of the park's border post.
“Today, our wild animals -- the elephants, rhino, antelope and many others -- are once again beginning to roam freely within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier National Park," said Mbeki in a speech released by his office.
"They teach us valuable lessons. And we, the people, now have another possibility to reach out and join hands in partnership, co-operation and interdependence.
Mbeki was speaking at the opening of the Giriyondo border post at the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
The park joins South Africa, through its Kruger National Park, with parks in Mozambique and Zimbabwe across an area of about 35 000km2 and the Giriyondo border post links the three countries.
The treaty establishing the park was signed in December 2002.
The border post was opened by Mbeki, Mozambican President Armando Guebuza and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Mbeki called Giriyondo "just the beginning of a new era when we will bring down the colonial fences, which divided our nations over several centuries".
He encouraged a joint proposal by the ministers of environment and tourism of nine Southern African countries -- South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe --to develop a Transfrontier Conservation Areas Tourism Route for 2010 and beyond. This would enable travellers to experience the countries as a single destination.
"It is imperative that we fully endorse this proposal and endeavour to render support for the development of additional access facilities and associated tourism infrastructure in all the other Transfrontier Conservation Areas."
Mbeki said the countries should use the 2010 Soccer World Cup to showcase the region and that the park, "branded as the worlds largest animal kingdom," would be a major attraction then.
"We must surely redouble our efforts to ensure that this unique and rich tapestry of life on our planet is turned into a jewel of the tourism market."
Mbeki said Africa's share of the global tourism market was 4,5% in 2003 and should be built on. The transfrontier parks and conservation areas offered an "exceptional" opportunity for growth.
Mbeki said six possible sites had been identified for a bridge over the Limpopo River between the Kruger Park and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.
He urged park officials to maximise the benefits of the park, "without compromising operational efficiency and security procedures". - Sapa
“Today, our wild animals -- the elephants, rhino, antelope and many others -- are once again beginning to roam freely within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier National Park," said Mbeki in a speech released by his office.
"They teach us valuable lessons. And we, the people, now have another possibility to reach out and join hands in partnership, co-operation and interdependence.
Mbeki was speaking at the opening of the Giriyondo border post at the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
The park joins South Africa, through its Kruger National Park, with parks in Mozambique and Zimbabwe across an area of about 35 000km2 and the Giriyondo border post links the three countries.
The treaty establishing the park was signed in December 2002.
The border post was opened by Mbeki, Mozambican President Armando Guebuza and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Mbeki called Giriyondo "just the beginning of a new era when we will bring down the colonial fences, which divided our nations over several centuries".
He encouraged a joint proposal by the ministers of environment and tourism of nine Southern African countries -- South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe --to develop a Transfrontier Conservation Areas Tourism Route for 2010 and beyond. This would enable travellers to experience the countries as a single destination.
"It is imperative that we fully endorse this proposal and endeavour to render support for the development of additional access facilities and associated tourism infrastructure in all the other Transfrontier Conservation Areas."
Mbeki said the countries should use the 2010 Soccer World Cup to showcase the region and that the park, "branded as the worlds largest animal kingdom," would be a major attraction then.
"We must surely redouble our efforts to ensure that this unique and rich tapestry of life on our planet is turned into a jewel of the tourism market."
Mbeki said Africa's share of the global tourism market was 4,5% in 2003 and should be built on. The transfrontier parks and conservation areas offered an "exceptional" opportunity for growth.
Mbeki said six possible sites had been identified for a bridge over the Limpopo River between the Kruger Park and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.
He urged park officials to maximise the benefits of the park, "without compromising operational efficiency and security procedures". - Sapa
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