Africa’s first proclaimed game sanctuary to remain as is

Groenkloof Nature Reserve.

“We wish to confirm that Groenkloof nature reserve will for the foreseeable future remain a nature reserve. Groenkloof national park and Groenkloof nature reserve are not the same.”

The first game sanctuary on the African continent, Groenkloof nature reserve will remain a wildlife sanctuary, the Tshwane metro has assured nature lovers.

This follows social media outrage last week after a post by DA councilor Siobhan Muller stated that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries was rescinding the reserve’s protection status to rezone it for residential use.

Local community Facebook and WhatsApp groups were quick to object but it quickly became apparent that it was not the Groenkloof nature reserve but the nearby Groenkloof national park whose national park status was being withdrawn.

Tshwane metro MMC for environment and agriculture management Katlego Mathebe said the status withdrawal pertained to Groenkloof national park.

“The reserve, which was owned by Tshwane, was not part of the proposed de-proclamation,” she said.

Friends of Groenkloof and Klapperkop nature reserves, a non-profit volunteer organization, said the misinformation on social media had caused residents stress.

“We have received numerous messages from concerned members of the public regarding the Groenkloof nature reserve’s national park status.”

“We wish to confirm that the reserve will, for the foreseeable future, remain a nature reserve. Groenkloof national park and Groenkloof nature reserve are not the same.”

“Visitors and nature enthusiasts can still enjoy the beauty of the reserve – South Africa’s oldest nature reserve.”

Muller said her Facebook post was a misunderstanding and has since deleted it.

Mathebe said the notice of the withdrawal of the park’s national park status was issued in August, and Tshwane did not oppose it.

“Tshwane is aware of the intention of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to withdraw the national park status of Groenkloof national park and does not have any objection as the property does not belong to the City.”

Mathebe added the metro was not aware of the plans for the park.

Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Barbara Creecy, in her notice of withdrawal, said that the park – portion 90 of Groenkloof 358 JR – 6.8 Ha – did not belong to Tshwane.

She said SA national parks (SANParks) had requested the withdrawal.

“SANParks as the assigned management authority considered the factors and concluded that Groenkloof national park does not have any of the prescribed characteristics of a national park.

These include: