LIMPOPO RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
POTLAKE NATURE RESERVE
PREPARATION OF A PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DOCUMENT
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT:
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Inform stakeholders of the proposed protected area
management plan.
Invite stakeholders to participate in the process.
Preservation of the reserve’s important cultural/traditional
values; conservation of the fauna and flora on the reserve; and
equitable access to, and responsible use of, the reserve and its
natural resources.
THE PROTECTED AREA:
KEY MANAGEMENT ISSUES & CHALLENGES:
The Potlake Nature Reserve (PNR) is located in the Sekhukhune
District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The reserve is situated
equal distances (approximately 80 km) from Polokwane and
Burgersfort, directly adjacent to the R37 and within the Dilokong
Spatial Development Initiative. The closest town to the reserve is
Lebowakgomo, which is located approximately 37 km from the
reserve. The PNR is situated approximately 270 km from the OR
Tambo International Airport – an important source of both domestic
and international tourists to the area.
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The PNR is surrounded by a dense rural population: The settlements
of Grootfontein and Moleke are located towards the north of the
reserve, just past the Olifants River; the Bogalatladi settlement
towards the west; the Sefateng settlement towards the south; the
Tsibeng settlement towards the south-east; the Madikeleng and
Ngwanankaya settlements towards the east.
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The Wolkberg and Bewaarkloof Nature Reserves are also located in
close proximity to the PNR, although visitors must travel around the
steep escarpment separating these reserves from the PNR in order to
access them. The PNR covers a total of 2784.683 ha and consists of
portions of the following farms: Jagdlust No. 418 KS, Haakdoornhoek
No. 409 KS, Rostok No. 410 KS, Jobskop No. 411 KS, Mooilek No. 412
KS and Winterveld No. 417 KS
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Centralised budget and de-capacitated reserve management.
A lack of tools and equipment. A lack of maintenance of all
infrastructures (roads, buildings, educational centre, etc.).
A shortage of staff. An ageing staff complement.
Soil erosion with no specific plan of action.
A lack of communication as a result of unreliable landline and
internet facilities, as well as the absence of a two-way radio
communication system.
No man made water distribution to the northern sector of
reserve.
No game census conducted since 2003.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES:
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A useful site for experiential training.
Promote environmental education.
Promote research and monitoring opportunities.
Promote or develop eco-tourism, including day visitors’ facilities,
a picnic site, a camp site, a tented bush camp/lodge, game
viewing, hiking, birding, mountain biking, conferencing, a kiosk
and community driven traditional experiences.
The potential to relocate excess game to other reserves.
Engage in developing a healthy and long term working
relationship with local mining companies for the benefit of
conservation and all local communities.
THE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN:
The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment &
Tourism (LEDET) is the designated Management Authority for all
Provincial Nature Reserves and is responsible for the compilation of a
Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP) for each reserve in
accordance with the National Environmental Management: Protected
Areas Act, No.57 of 2003. Each PAMP is comprised of one Five-year
Strategic Management Plan (SMP) and five consecutive Annual Plans
of Operation (APO’s). The SMP provides an overarching management
framework and zonation plan for the protected area and informs the
subsequent management activities on the reserve through five
consecutive APO’s. It is a requirement of the Act that the Designated
Management Authority (LEDET) engage with interested and affected
parties in the compilation of these Plans.
THE PROTECTED AREA’S VISION:
We see a collaborative partnership between the State and the Rostok,
Mahlabeng,
Shubushubung,
Mashikwe
and
Mohlahlaneng
communities in the ongoing conservation and sustainable use of the
Potlake Nature Reserve. From this partnership, we envisage securing:
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Meaningful and sustained benefits derived for the Rostok,
Mahlabeng, Shushubung, Mashikwe and Mohlahlaneng
communities.
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS:
A principle of LEDET’s in preparing protected area management plans
is collaboration and transparency. Efforts will be made to canvas
stakeholders and obtain their inputs in the development of the plan. A
stakeholder workshop has been advertised and will be held on 28
November at 9:00am at the Potlake Nature Reserve Admin Office Meeting Room to discuss the values of PNR that must be protected,
and any particular issues and/or concerns and aspirations of
stakeholders, which must be addressed in the management plan.
Once the draft management plan has been prepared, it will be made
available for public review and comment prior to its finalisation and
submission to the LEDET Protected Area Senior Management and the
Limpopo MEC.
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE:
Directions to the workshop venue can be provided on request.
If you or your organisation would like to participate in this process,
attend the workshop or would like any further information, please
contact: Ms Farha Ally, Tel: 021 702 2884 or 078 734 5775
Email:
[email protected] or visit the
NCC/LEDET Website: http://www.ncc-group.co.za