Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa launches the Double Drift Wildlife Economy Project in Eastern Cape

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa invites members of the media to the launch of the Nofingxana community’s Double Drift Wildlife Economy project on Wednesday, 07 March 2018, at Double Drift Nature Reserve.

The Double Drift Community were dispossessed of the residential and grazing rights as a result of 1913 land act to make way for the establishment of the Double Drift Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Great Fish Nature Reserve. After the Republic of South Africa obtained democracy in 1994, the community lodged a land claim which was settled in 2012 and Likhaya Lethu Communal Property Association (CPA) was established.

The Likhaya Lethu CPA consisting of 1500 Double Drift Community members have been funded R6 million by DEA to develop a Wildlife Economy business venture in the farm Naudeshoek (1400 hactares), which has been bought for them as part of the settlement by the state through the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

The activities undertaken with the R6 million funding received from DEA include: installation of a 10km game fence; construction of an Entrance Gate; construction of rangers and hunters accommodation; construction of Buffalo Holding Boma, and training and development of community members. Through the installation of a 10 km fence and the entrance gate, 61 job opportunities for the community have been created.

The community beneficiation will include extensive game breeding of high value and plain game species for live sales; beneficiation of products such as game meat, product development from skin and hides, and ecotourism activities such accommodation.

The formal programme of the launch will be preceded by the release of game donated by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) as part of the implementation of their Game Industry Transformation Policy. The support from the ECPTA also include mentorship as part of the co-management agreement signed in 2016 with the communities.

Another integral part of the launch will be the handing over of the title deed to the Likhaya Lethu CPA by the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.

Source: Government of South Africa