The Mapungubwe National Park, located in South Africa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich cultural history and diverse wildlife. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused significant economic challenges for both the park and the surrounding communities. In response, the 2022 Covid-19 Relief Grant aimed to support the livelihoods of local community members while improving the park’s infrastructure. The project primarily focused on repairing 98 km of game fence and clearing vegetation along 65 km of roads, benefiting both wildlife conservation and the local tourism industry. One of the main accomplishments of the
project was the employment of 12 local community members for 10 months. These individuals were trained in fence maintenance
and vegetation clearing, skills they can use for future employment. The repairs to the 98 km game fence helped reduce incidents of human-wildlife conflict, particularly by preventing large animals like elephants from leaving the park and damaging nearby crops. This not only safeguarded the animals but also protected the livelihoods of local farmers.

The project also improved 65 km of park roads by trimming vegetation that had been scratching tourists’ vehicles, enhancing the
visitor experience and ensuring safer travel within the park. The work on the roads made it easier for park rangers to conduct patrols and for tourists to access the park’s remote areas, contributing to the recovery of the local eco-tourism industry, which had been severely impacted by the pandemic. Despite some delays caused by the late start of the project, all key deliverables were met, including the completion of fence repairs and road maintenance. SANParks, the organization managing the park, will continue to maintain the infrastructure with its own operational budget, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the improvements. The project also fostered stronger community engagement with conservation, as the local workforce gained a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting the park’s natural resources.

Overall, the Covid-19 Relief Grant Mapungubwe National Park project successfully addressed both economic and conservation
challenges. By improving critical park infrastructure and providing jobs to the local community, the project helped protect wildlife,
reduce human-wildlife conflict, and contribute to the recovery of the tourism sector.

Project Outputs:

• Twelve people employed under a cash for work programme for 8 months (7 men and 5 women)
• Completed 98 km of fence maintenance
• Completed 65km of road maintenance